TUPD Emergency Manager aims to help students enjoy the college expereince

A new truck has been spotted driving around campus, leaving some to wonder, what is an emergency manager?

Trey Ingram serves as Troy University's Emergency Manager, a position introduced in 2025 when TUPD decided the university would benefit from the addition of the role. Ingram has become a common sight around campus, though his impact goes far beyond tire tracks.

"You'll see me riding around in my truck, responding to calls as they happen,” Ingram said. “I’m not much of an office-dweller.

“I like to get out and about, more times you'll find me riding around than you would me sitting in my office."

Ingram said the job covers everything from inclement weather to suspicious activity.

"My primary responsibility is to help ensure Troy University is prepared to prevent respond and recover from any emergency that might happen, a major focus of my work is making emergency preparedness practical and understandable," Ingram said. “That includes developing and updating emergency plans, coordinating with university departments and outside agencies, conducting training and exercises and identifying ways to improve campus safety.”

For Ingram, the job is about more than just the paperwork. The connection with students, he said, is what he values most.

"Emergency management is not just about responding when something goes wrong, it's about building a safer, more resilient campus,” Ingram said. “That's through preparation, education and teamwork.

“On a typical day, I may be reviewing plans, meeting with campus partners, preparing for an upcoming event, coordinating with law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical services, or working on safety education for students and faculty. The job covers everything from severe weather and fires to major events and other situations that could disrupt university operations.

Ingram also serves as a reserve officer with the Troy University Police Department. That allows him to assist with patrols and respond to incidents or emergencies on campus. As a result, students will often see Ingram out and about, checking campus conditions, interacting with the university community and helping address safety concerns as they arise.

“I want students to feel comfortable asking me questions, sharing concerns. I'm here to serve them,” Ingram said. “That door is always open, [they] can always come talk to me."

TUPD and Ingram said they are constantly working to make campus a safe and comfortable place for students. Ingram says what he enjoys most about his job is working with a team and building partnerships to ensure safety campus-wide.

“The biggest challenge is preparing for situations that are unpredictable,” Ingram said. “You cannot prevent every emergency, but you can build systems, train people, and develop relationships that make the response more effective when something happens.

"I'm just proud to be back here at Troy University and I'm committed to doing everything I can to help make it a safe place for us to learn, work, and enjoy the college experience."