UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) has taken a significant step in enhancing campus safety and preparedness with the release of its new Building Emergency Evacuation Plan (BEEP) training video, conceived and developed through a partnership between EHS and the student-driven CommAgency within the Bellisario College of Communications. The initiative demonstrates EHS’s, as well as University Police and Public Safety’s, commitment to creating a safe environment for all who live, work and learn on Penn State’s campuses.
Annually, thousands of students, faculty, staff and visitors occupy buildings on Penn State’s campuses, and providing for their safety in the event of emergencies has long been a core priority. EHS’s BEEP program establishes clear guidelines for the safe and efficient evacuation of building occupants during such incidents. Recognizing the critical importance of awareness and preparedness for all members of the community, EHS sought to further enhance its existing training efforts with this new accessible, effective and engaging resource.
The training video, available to faculty and staff through the Penn State Learning Resource Network and to students and visitors online on the EHS website, is a concise guide designed to reach all building occupants — from professors and administrative staff to students and visitors. Its creation was driven by the goal of increasing campus-wide understanding of evacuation plans and the responsibilities each individual holds during an emergency scenario. As part of this effort, EHS identified the need to collaborate with students from CommAgency, leveraging the students’ fresh perspectives and creative energy to craft a training tool that resonates across the University’s diverse community.
“We realized that, despite our existing training and resources, many people weren’t fully aware of what to do in an emergency evacuation,” said Jim Crandall, director of Environmental Health and Safety. “By partnering with CommAgency, we found an opportunity to deliver vital information in a way that truly connects with our audience. This video is the product of that collaboration — a resource that not only educates but also empowers our campus community.”
Importantly, the BEEP Program complements the broader responsibilities of Penn State Emergency Management, also housed within University Police and Public Safety, which handles large-scale evacuations and event-specific safety planning. EHS and Emergency Management have a history of close coordination within the department, aligning building-level safety procedures with campus-wide emergency response strategies.
The video project was recently recognized with two Communicator Awards for CommAgency, underscoring the exceptional quality and impact of the finished product. The recognition is a testament to the strength and success of student-employee collaborations at Penn State, as well as to the University’s dedication to innovative approaches to public safety.
EHS’s Mark Linsenbigler, occupational health and safety manager, and Steve Triebold, fire protection program manager, partnered with CommAgency to develop the video content.
“Working closely with the talented students from CommAgency was incredibly rewarding,” Linsenbigler said. “Their creativity brought new life to the training development process. We genuinely believe this video can help save lives by making emergency procedures more accessible and memorable.”
For Catie Grant, director of CommAgency, the project reinforced the value of experiential learning and cross-functional teamwork.
“This collaboration allowed students to contribute meaningfully to the Penn State community,” Grant said. “We’re proud that the video not only supports campus safety but also showcases the kind of innovative work that happens when students and professionals join forces. Receiving two global awards is an incredible honor for everyone involved.”
Penn State encourages all building occupants — whether staff, faculty or students — to take the time to review the BEEP video, familiarize themselves with evacuation procedures, and be prepared to act should the need arise.
Questions regarding the BEEP program can be directed to Ernie Huff, EHS workplace safety specialist, at 814-865-6391 or emh6629@psu.edu.