Chris Humphries named director of Safety and Security 

The University of the Fraser Valley has a new Safety and Security director. Chris Humphries has stepped into the role, overseeing UFV’s campus security, occupational health and safety, and emergency management. The job encompasses everything from day-to-day security operations and workplace safety programs to emergency preparedness and crisis response, helping ensure a safe environment for students, employees, and visitors across the university’s campuses. 

Chris is well qualified for the role, having served as the manager of Security and Emergency Management over the past five years. 

“Everyone deserves to learn and work in a place where they feel safe,” he said. “A safe campus helps students succeed, supports employee well-being, and strengthens our university community. Building that environment takes more than security services alone. It requires planning, collaboration, and input from those who are affected by the programs and decisions that help keep our campus safe.”

In his previous role, Chris provided strategic leadership for security and emergency management programs across all of UFV’s campuses and centres. He was responsible for security operations, emergency preparedness, threat management, investigations, crisis response, regulatory compliance, and departmental planning.  

During that time, his accomplishments included: 

• securing and managing significant capital investments to expand electronic access control and video surveillance infrastructure  

• introducing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and contemporary de-escalation training programs for departmental staff  

• directing emergency planning and security operations for high-profile and sensitive university events using EOC and ICS frameworks  

• improving institutional resilience through ongoing assessment and mitigation of security, operational, and reputational risks  

• leading procurement and implementation of enterprise-wide security guard and locksmith contracts.  

For 14 years (2007-21) before that, Chris served as UFV’s security coordinator. He believes his longstanding connection to the university is one of the greatest strengths he brings to the director role. 

“Over the last 19 years, I’ve seen UFV grow from the University College of the Fraser Valley into the university it is today,” he said. “During that time, I’ve watched two student housing buildings be built, and seen many students move on to successful careers, and even seen some return to work here as employees. There have been difficult times along the way, but there have also been many successes. 

“What has always stayed the same is the sense of community. UFV is a place where people support one another, stay connected, and never stop learning. Spending so many years here has given me a strong understanding of the institution and our people, which helps me every day in my work with the Safety & Security team.” 

 

Story by Eric Welsh – eric.welsh@ufv.ca