Olds College's new OC Emergency App will help keep students, staff, visitors and others informed of potentially dangerous situations on campus, says students' association president Kier Scott.
“Having technology that takes things to the next level is great,” Scott said during an official launch of the app on Nov. 1. “We've always had security on campus but having this ease of access is tremendous.
“One of the things that the students' association really values is mental health initiatives and feeling safe on campus is an absolute priority.
“There is no reason for students to feel unsafe and if they do they should know that they have the resources to help them.”
The college will use the app to inform students, staff and others of many types of emergencies, including weather events, bomb threats, fires and lockdown situations, says Laurie Duggan, executive director of human resources at the college.
“In the event of an emergency the people with the app will be notified immediately,” said Duggan. “It will be our primary communication tool in the event of emergencies.
“If the sound is on on your phone it will come on as a loud siren on your phone and it will get your attention. If your volume is off it will come as a notification and tell you what is going on.
“We will use it for weather events like an ice storm or unsafe road conditions. We will update regularly during the event. As things progress we can send out more and more information.”
The app also gives users instant access to contact numbers and other information for emergency responders on campus and in the surrounding community.
As well, it includes information and tips on what to do in the event of emergencies.
Prior to the app being put in place the college used emails and phone-outs to let people know about emergencies.
The decision to go with the new app came as part of a review of the school's emergency plans and was not prompted by any specific event, she said.
“It's pre-emptive, but we are cognizant that events do happen across Canada in institutions,” she said. “We decided that the way things are now, with everyone having a device in their hands, that this was the best method.
“The main thing is that safety is of the utmost importance for our students, our staff and anyone visiting our college property.”
Work to bring the app to the school has been underway for about a year, she said.
The college has provided access to the app to the local RCMP detachments, Mountain View County, Olds High School and others, she said.
The app can also be made available for people temporarily on campus for such things as conferences, she said.
Debbie Rockwell, a staff member at the college, calls the new app a “great idea for everyone.”
“Whether it is a weather emergency or some other emergency people will be able to reach us,” said Rockwell, who has worked on campus since 1983.
“This is a good system to keep people informed.”
She encouraged all staff and students to load the app.
"Having technology that takes things to the next level is great." Kier Scottstudent association president
