Georgia College Uses New Telephone Safety Program for Emergencies

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – In light of the recent emergency in the Boston area that has forced college campuses to shut down, Georgia College implemented a new safety program that can save lives during any kind of emergency.

One push of a button and you are instantly connected to the Georgia College Police Department.

“We had a disruption in the classroom and the faculty felt that they needed a way to communicate directly with our public safety,” Justin Gaines, with GC’s Officer of Emergency Preparedness, said.

That is why the Office of Emergency Preparedness installed telephones in every classroom which instantly connects students and faculty to the police.

“Our dispatch officer will know exactly where that call is coming from,” Gaines said.

This immediate connection can help during emergency situations, from medical issues, to a disturbance in the classroom or an active shooting on campus. In wake of the recent shooting at MIT, college officials say this is a tool the police can use when every second counts.

“What this does is help to speed or expedite the ability for us to get the information as quickly as possible,” Gaines said.

And students say the new phones are a great way to stay connected.

“It makes me feel a lot safer,” GC freshman Will Segars said.

“I think its a real good step for us to make progress towards making the campus a lot safer place for our students,” GC junior Connor Battle said.

“I feel like the school does a lot to make sure that we feel safe,” GC freshman Alexandra Campos Castillo said.

And all it takes is one phone call.

This is not the only safety program Georgia College uses to alert students during emergencies. College officials also send out text message alerts, emails, and calls to cell phones. The college is also planning to expand the program with an all call alert which would broadcast alerts through the speaker on those classroom phones.