New PA system, instructional video aim to improve emergency preparedness
Kurt Oberreither
-News Editor-
Emergency preparedness in situations like earthquakes, severe weather, fires and campus intrusion is the focus of STLCC-Meramec’s most recent instructional video.
The video was shown in classes throughout the first week of the semester. It introduced the new public address system that can be utilized in emergency situations and deadbolt locks installed on classroom doors.
The video was produced by Meramec Community Relations Coordinator Toni Oplt. Campus President George Wasson starred in the video with members of the Theatre Department.
“For as long as I can remember we’ve had an emergency preparedness plan,” Wasson said. “You’re seeing the result of a lot of planning and we’ve been increasing our ability to respond to situation and taking advantage of new technologies.”
The video also made students aware of the deadbolt locks on doors throughout the campus.
“I don’t think it’s really necessary, that it would be better served if the teachers just showed us the exits that pertained to that classroom,” student Sarah Gill said. “It is informative for students who don’t know – it sums it up quite nicely.”
One Meramec student, Billy Steffen, said he did not learn anything he did not already know. He said the video was a review of what he learned in grade school.
Wasson said Wildwood is the only other campus with a video.
“What we’re trying to do is make sure people have access to information. A part of that is instruction. People in California know to look and see if something can fall on you and don’t run outside. I don’t know if people in Missouri know that type of thing,” Wasson said. “The other part of that is awareness. There are times of emergency, there are times when you need to act in those situations.”
Banta said the PA system can broadcast “canned dialogues” to alert the campus of emergency situations Banta said the system allows him or the president to manually make emergency announcements. The system can be accessed from any campus police chief’s office across the district.
According to Wasson, a flip chart, detailing what students should do in a number of emergency situations, will be posted in classrooms this semester.
“It’s not just been here today, but you’re seeing a culmination,” Wasson said. “The new flip chart, that is in response to the feeling that we did not have enough information readily available in the classroom.”
Wasson said evacuation routes – which have not been changed since the 1970s – will be revised and posted in the classrooms.
In addition to the PA system, the college utilizes computer alert pop ups that appear on all administrative and faculty computers in the case of an emergency. Students can also register for text alerts. New phone system will allow for announcements, too. “We build this redundancy in the system in case one fails,” Banta said.
Banta said the system will not reach every part of the campus but he hopes to have an indoor system installed. He said they want to expand video surveillance and enhance lighting in the staff parking lot and put a camera there.
