Online and physical maps show different locations
Wayne Hudson
Sports & Health Editor
@WayneaHudson
Despite having a state-of the-art security emergency network across campus, an Excalibur investigation found that the actual locations of the emergency intercoms did not correspond with the places marked on the online campus map.
Twenty-four help intercoms— which are a part of a wider Emergency Blue Light system used to aid campus security—were found on the campus map. However, Excalibur found that five of the intercoms marked on the old map were no longer there, and that there were eight new locations, bringing the total to 25 intercoms.
These communication devices are placed all across campus to ensure safety for all students and faculty. During office hours, the parking lot intercoms connect to the parking services office. After hours, the system connects directly to the security office stationed with an an operator 24/7.
Rob Castle, senior advisor to vp finance and administration, says all of the intercoms are a part of an international safety level of Blue Light systems that were put in place two-and-a-half years ago.
When asked about the various intercoms that have been removed and added due to construction, Castle admits that different construction zones were only laid over the existing maps, instead of having the maps altered to emulate the actual state of campus when it came to the help intercoms.
While some intercoms—such as the ones located at diff erent parking lots—only have one line that they all connect on, others have multiple lines they can connect to.
Castle explains that with places such as the Bennett Centre, the contractors took it upon themselves to put in multiple lines, which is why some locations have several intercoms and emergency Blue Light towers nearby, while others do not have multiple lines.
“We actually have a very effective system to monitor and maintain the Blue Light emergency phones,” says Castle. “goSAFE, as well as being an escort service, checks all the phones and emergency phones on weekly basis. We have a really vigorous program in place to make sure that they are all functioning.”
Prior to the Blue Light system, however, Castle says the conditions of the emergency systems were poor.
“[It was] because we had a bit of a hodge-podge on campus for a little while,” he explains. “Phones had been added over the years, and some of them were old and very hard to get replacement parts for.”
Eventually, Castle says all the phones and security systems were “brought up to an international standard.”
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