 "Photo: Photo by: Jameshia Jefferson")
Strange blue cylinders have begun to appear in HCC's parking lots on all the campuses, but what are they? Monoliths similar to those seen in "2001: A Space Odyssey," or some new form of parking lot decoration? No, they are the new emergency posts put in to help better ensure the safety of students.
"This is kind of our on-going safety initiative," said Steve Shields, HCC's Director of Risk Management, Safety and Auxiliary Services. According to Shields, the purpose of the emergency posts is "to improve safety on campus, to assist students, faculty and staff if there is an emergency situation that is occurring out in the parking lot."
Shields went on to say that the posts are very easy to use. "You just go up there, there is a red button on it," Shields explained. "You press the red button and release it and the machine takes over."
Shields explained that the machine will automatically dial the service that is most likely to provide you assistance, and it'll go to, say, dispatch center number one, and they will be notified of which call box that made the call so public safety will know where you are calling from.
"They'll answer the phone and ask you what is your emergency; how may I assist you?" continued Shields. "And just speak into the box."
In most cases, campus security will answer the call. The exception is the Ybor City campus's parking garage, which will be answered by the Tampa Police Department, or, though less likely, the local parking garage authority. The anticipated reaction time is seconds.
Also, further down the road, the posts will have additional features. Cameras may be added for surveillance purposes. Loudspeakers may also be installed and used to alert students of campus-wide emergencies. The posts will be up to the standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA accessible). This means that handicapped or wheelchair-bound students will have full and easy access to the posts should the need arise.
"I think that’s a really good system, "said Hajung Ko, an applicant for the nursing program at Dale Mabry. Ko also stated that she feels safer with the emergency posts around.
While all the students asked agreed that the emergency posts make them feel safer, some do not share Ko's enthusiasm. "Sure they're a good idea...[but] I mean, most people have cell phones these days so there's probably other things the money could have been spent on," said Briana Boston, nuclear medicine student at the Dale Mabry campus. "But, you know, I'm all for safety."
Speaking of the cost, Shields estimated that the posts will cost an estimated $1 million. However, he feels that no price is too high for the safety of the students, faculty and staff.
The emergency posts are tentatively expected to be functional by the summer semester, barring any unforeseen delays in construction. If such delays occur, expect their functionality by the beginning of the fall semester.
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