Jessica Castañon

• The University's emergency manager tasked with re-establishing emergency preparedness and business continuity following the three-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
• Developed and implemented the incident command structure (ICS), including corresponding training, and created comprehensive work assignments for the 2023 and 2024 Commencement Event Action Plan (EAP)
• Executed a complete restructuring of the special event process, including implementing ICS forms, developing a survey, establishing event procedures, and collaborating with various university stakeholders
• Developed and maintained the university's Emergency Operation Plan and plans for active shooter/active threat, power outages, and communicable infectious diseases annexes from scratch
• Led and participated in overhauling the review and editing of the university's existing emergency alert templates, ensuring easier and faster alert dissemination
• Trained all public safety personnel responsible for alerts and developed a comprehensive training program
• Ensured public safety during large, high-security assemblies by collaborating with law enforcement, athletics, conference and events department, fire, etc., to develop operations plans for high-level events
• Led and participated in EOC activations for the following emergency responses: extended power outages, dorm flooding, demonstrations/protests, bluff erosion, and more
• Managed and participated in EOC activations for major special events: Democratic National Debate 2019, LMU Commencement Ceremonies (2015-2024), Mayor Karen Bass Speaker Event, campus concerts, LA Rams Training Camp (2024), and other special events
• Provided ICS and EOC training to key stakeholders, including faculty and staff, to ensure campus readiness for any incidents
• Integrated comprehensive guides and trainings with various colleges and departments, enhancing community awareness and adherence to best practices in emergency preparedness and response

The University's first Associate Director of Campus Safety, tasked with establishing a structured security operation and supporting a complete department restructure

• Responsibilities included construction planning for a new communications and emergency operations center, department rebranding, radio systems upgrade, and policy development
• Participated in COVID-19 response and maintained university-wide situational awareness through weekly meetings with stakeholders, determining the latest updates, newsletter, dashboard, and ensuring daily health screening
• Developed and submitted the Annual Fire Safety and Security Report, consolidating and categorizing data to ensure compliance with the Clery Act and other required annual reports
• Recruited, trained, supervised, and mentored personnel, including contract security officers, optimizing deployment effectiveness through strategic scheduling
• Coordinated campus safety operations with local, state, and federal law enforcement, enforcing regulations to maintain public safety
• Partnered with LAPD to handle trespassers and followed through with citizens' arrests for those who violated regulations
• Developed the comprehensive 2022 Commencement Operation Plan, ensuring compliance with local government COVID-19 event regulations and overseeing security deployment at an off-site venue
• Led teams of up to 10 personnel, supervising daily performance as well as training and improvement plans.

• Facilitated evacuation drills of two campuses, Chalon campus (56 acres) and Doheny campus (20 acres), and the subsequent after-action report and improvement plan
• Enhanced campus resilience at the building level by building the emergency response plan and engaging campus building managers through regular meetings, marketing outreach, and existing forums to incorporate safety and emergency preparedness
• Manage the Emergency Response team members, supervise staff, and streamline their duties by implementing task checklists and policies
• Delivered timely reports on incident status to relevant authorities during crisis events, facilitating informed decision-making among stakeholders.

• Patrol campus and one-mile exterior boundaries
• Enforce state and city ordinances, investigate crime, apprehend offenders, maintain public peace, and prepare/file reports
• Worked with patrol partners and other first responders to assess the scene and ensure public safety
• Responded to 911 dispatched calls involving traffic incidents, emergencies, and criminal activity, including assault with a deadly weapon, theft, burglary, vandalism, and transients
• Conducted traffic stops and enforced vehicle code violations; retrieved information on vehicle registration, identification, and status
• Utilized excellent communication skills when interacting with diverse populations, fostering trust between law enforcement and the community.

• This position was created to establish the LMU Cadet program, lead community relations efforts, and provide administrative support to the Chief
• Established a youth cadet program in partnership with LAPD Cadets and LMU Family Schools, providing mentorship and program opportunities, which led to onboarding cadets as public safety officers
• Supervise and manage a watch of 10 contract officers, ensuring reports are taken, review reports, and assuring campus patrols are conducted
• Generate and maintain reports, daily activity logs, and equipment logs for department records
• Strengthened relationships with local response agencies by partnering with other youth Cadet programs to conduct community events, such as fundraisers, Trunk or Treat, college tours, museum tours, etc
• Served as a liaison for special events, collaborating with university event hosts and LAFD, responding to medical emergencies and disruptions, and delegating personnel to ensure the overall safety of campus events
• Supervised daily shift operations, providing guidance and support to officers in the field as needed.
• Demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in high-pressure situations, maintaining composure and motivating team members to perform at their best.
• Increased officer safety by conducting thorough risk assessments and implementing appropriate safety measures.
• Managed personnel scheduling effectively to ensure adequate coverage during peak times without sacrificing work-life balance.

• Investigated crimes committed: theft, fraud, harassment, criminal mischief, motor vehicle theft, stalking, etc
• Conducted prompt, equitable, and impartial administrative investigations into complaints
• Cultivated relationships with campus stakeholders to refer students to campus support (mental health, medical aid, etc.)
• Interviewed and assessed information while identifying relevant University policies and Student Conduct Code provisions
• Oversaw cases from start to finish by conducting intake, report writing, and follow-up while complying with university policy
• Collected, analyzed and interpreted information, documentation, and physical evidence associated with investigations.
• Conducted interviews with witnesses and clients.

• Provided clerical support for the Department of Public Safety, answering phone calls, email correspondence, taking messages, a large amount of public contact, preparing/modifying documents, etc
• Maintained purchase cards and spreadsheets that reflected the budget to resolve discrepancies and submitted reclassifications
• Managed and developed a switchboard operator system for the University
• Helped recruit, interview, hire, and onboard student workers for the emergency management department
• Plan and activate the EOC in preparation for commencement, dignitaries, Democratic debate, and athletic events
• Developed and designed social media/flyer content (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Canvas) and other marketing sources to communicate information on emergency management programs, events, and preparedness outreach
• Implemented and led the placement of 50 Automated External Defibrillators on campus, covering the 142-acre LMU campus, in partnership with the Facilities Management and Student Housing departments.

• Provided security at large-scale events, including concerts, football games, and malls, ensuring the safety of attendees through thorough security checks and crowd behavior monitoring
• Managed access control, conducted routine patrols, and responded promptly to incidents to ensure minimal event disruption and prevent unauthorized access