Naomi B. Jones
March 11, 2008Exhibits
March 13, 2008Local college and university campuses are on target to meet the June 30 deadline to implement the statewide campus security program, First Call Interactive Network.
Made by a Baton Rouge-based company called Firstcall, the system improves schools’ earlier attempts at emergency alerts, which were limited to e-mails and Web site postings. The program was put in motion during Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s administration, shortly after the devastating shooting at Virginia Tech University last May.
“The Board of Regents is pleased with the speed and thoroughness with which the safety and security initiative team has put its plan into action,” said Board of Regents Commissioner of Higher Education Joseph Savoie in a release. “Whether we’re faced with another natural disaster or an emergency like the one in Virginia, the safety of our students is our first concern. This initiative is addressing that concern from a variety of perspectives.”
Nicholls State University has implemented the first phase of the security plan, which calls for an electronic messaging system that sends alerts directly to students’ cellular phones as a text message or voice message.
The students on campus like the idea of having an emergency alert system, according to Nicholls State Police Chief Craig Jaccuzzo.
“Administrators said the goal is to rapidly communicate safety information, reaching students and faculty no matter where they are on the university’s 210-acre campus,” Jaccuzzo said.
L.E. Fletcher Community Technical College and Louisiana Technical College Young Memorial campus are one step behind Nicholls State in implementing the first phase of the program.
“Fletcher is currently reviewing the emergency preparedness plan to incorporate the new training system procedures,” said Fletcher Media Relations Director Elmy Savioe.
According to the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, each community and technical college will offer sessions for students, faculty and staff concerning the implementation and expected launch date of the system.
“It is critical that our institutions are able to communicate with members of the college community in the event of a crisis situation,” said Dr. Joe D. May, president of the LCTCS.
Although local public school systems are not equipped with the sophisticated Firstcall alert system, they are in the process of formulating emergency alert procedures for students’ safety.
Terrebonne Parish Public Schools Risk Manager Jack Moore said with the help of a grant from the state Department of Education and the local law enforcement and emergency preparedness agencies, school districts could have a plan developed by next school term.
Right now each school in the Tri-parish area has its own emergency alert plan coordinated by the school’s emergency response team, made up of a group of faculty members and the school’s resource police officer.
“Any emergency that deals with a specific school or specific community is the general responsibility of the school to notify the public of emergency situations,” Moore said.
