Security and Safety

If you need assistance, dial (434) 980-6217 to reach a Security Guard. Someone will respond immediately.

The Security Office for the FEI is located on the ground floor of the Main Building. It is the duty and responsibility of this office to provide a safe and secure environment to all personnel at the FEI. However, safety and security are the responsibility of everyone at the FEI. If you observe a safety or security issue, contact the Security Office immediately at (434) 980-6217 or send an email to FEISecurityOffice@opm.gov. This email box is checked daily by FEI’s Senior Security Specialist.

While at the FEI you must always wear and display your Program ID. Remember to safely secure your pass should you depart the FEI campus. Should you lose your Program ID, or any other issued items (keys) notify the Security Office and Program Coordinator immediately.

All participants should treat their guest rooms as their office space. When not in the room, the doors should be locked, never propped open, and all training materials and personal items should be properly stored. Any items discovered missing should be immediately reported to the Security Office. Random security sweeps will be conducted.

Weapons Management

Weapons are not allowed on the FEI campus. In addition, the following rules apply:

• Visiting uniformed law enforcement officers (state, local, and federal) who are authorized to carry weapons in the Commonwealth of Virginia are permitted to carry their weapon anywhere on the FEI grounds. 
  
  
• State, local, or Federal officers participating in classes at the FEI are not permitted to carry their weapons while on the FEI Campus. They are required to secure them in the gun lockers provided for this purpose.
  
  
• At no time are weapons permitted to be stored or left unattended in Official Government Vehicles (OGV) or Privately-Owned Vehicles (POV) while parked on the FEI campus.
  
  
• Non-law enforcement personnel who have concealed weapons permits are not permitted to be armed while on the FEI campus.

Welcome Center

All participants and visitors must check in with the FEI Welcome Center located at the entrance to the FEI Campus off Emmet Street. Everyone that enters is required to show a current photo identification and/or FEI program badge when entering and exiting the campus.

Once you exit the campus, please remove your FEI program badge, and secure it until your return.

Commercial Vehicle Transportation

The designated pick up and drop off location for commercial transportation (taxis, Uber, Lyft, etc.) is the patio by the elevators on the East side of the Main Building. This location allows easy loading and unloading while ensuring the vehicle remains in view of Security personnel.

General Security Awareness and Responsiveness

Always be aware of your surroundings, be ready to react in a timely manner to events that may occur while you are out.

Report to FEI Security anyone who is suspicious or does not have a FEI program badge.

Report suspicious vehicles, i.e., vehicles that do not have a vehicle pass or FEI parking sticker (located behind the rear-view mirror)

Report suspicious packages, i.e., backpacks, suitcases, left in unusual places, etc.

Fire Alarm

When the alarm sounds, evacuate the building immediately and move quickly to the driveway in front of the Main Building. Participants will gather with their program colleagues to determine who is present, who is absent, and what issues or obstacles they may have encountered in or while exiting the buildings. The Lead Faculty (or another member of the faculty, staff, or Security) will then collect the reports (counts) and account for everyone in the program. Participants may not re-enter any building until the alarm is silenced and they are notified it is safe to do so.

Participants in other programs (e.g., USAID, NOAA, Open-Enrollment) should follow any procedures shared with them at the start of the program.

 When pulled the wall-mounted, red-square, pull alarms alerts the local Fire Department of an emergency. However, the smoke detectors only sound in the immediate area and do not alert first responders.

Mail Security

Incoming mail and packages are screened before distribution. Do not open any letter or package that appears suspicious.

Notify the Security Office immediately if a suspicious letter or package arrives for you.

Visitors

Please refer to individual program policies.