UC Davis Emergency Management was recently named the recipient of the UC Excellence Award, the highest recognition across the University of California system, for their work in emergency management. 

Campus Emergency Manager, Benton Best, along with Mission Continuity Planner, Patrick Seward, were recognized for setting UC Davis apart as a leader in preparedness and resilience.

Benton joined UC Davis in 2022 with 13 years of experience in emergency management, most recently serving as a Division Chief for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Before that, he was the County Emergency Manager for Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Having moved more than 20 times across six different states, he’s learned best practices for emergency management. Over the years, he has held several roles, including firefighter, EMT, amateur radio technician and CPR instructor. He considers himself a lifelong learner, which made joining a university setting like UC Davis a natural fit.

What sets him apart, as Eric Kvigne, associate vice chancellor of Safety Services, put it, is “his confidence and willingness to lead the improvement of systems from whatever level of competency they happen to be at. He does this through professional presentations, repetition, patience and adaptability.”

After joining the team, Benton helped launch the Whole Community Planning Group in April 2023. The group brings together campus communities, faculty, staff and partners to support inclusive emergency planning and ensure all UC Davis perspectives are represented. 

Benton also led key initiatives, including launching the campus’s first emergency management internship, formalizing the Campus Emergency Operations Plan, leading ICS training for EOC staff and developing the Building Emergency Action Plan Work Group. These systems have been tested during high-profile events, each time leading to new improvements through post-event reviews. The team runs annual tabletop exercises with senior leaders to practice crisis decision-making. 

“What makes Emergency Management outstanding is the talented staff who are experts in their fields and who draw in others to take interest in emergency preparedness and operation. Here at UC Davis, when Emergency Management calls for a tabletop or other practice session, even busy senior leaders look forward to participating because the sessions are clear, engaging and relevant.”Vice Chancellor of Finance, Operations and Administration Clare Shinnerl

Most recently, Benton has supported a campus-wide reset of evacuation planning through the development of updated Emergency Action Plans (EAPs). These new building-specific plans, with several set to deploy in June 2026, will promote cross-department communication, streamline emergency procedures and address long-standing gaps in coordination. He hopes these updated plans will reduce confusion during evacuations and ensure everyone’s safety by improving coordination and accessibility for all building occupants.

In addition to response planning, Benton’s team also supports long-term continuity efforts. Emergency Management recently launched the Continuity of Operations (COOP) Committee, which gives departments a structured way to build and update their continuity plans. The plan update cycle keeps departments aligned with campus priorities and prepared for potential disruptions. Training materials created through this effort have helped standardize continuity planning across campus.

Benton’s leadership continues to shape how UC Davis prepares for and responds to emergencies. Receiving the UC Excellence Award not only recognizes his deep expertise but also the collaborative, forward-thinking culture he brings to campus emergency management.