Dublin City University (DCU) is providing emergency support to staff and students wherever they are, through a mobile safety application which links users with the university’s emergency response team.
The app, which DCU staff and students can download at no cost, enable students and staff to connect with DCU’s emergency response team if first aid is required, or in an emergency. DCU is the first university in the Republic of Ireland to roll out SafeZone, from software firm CriticalArc, which will be available to a total of near 19,000 students and staff across the Glasnevin, St Patrick’s and All Hallows campuses. The app is also of use to university staff and students who are working and studying overseas. SafeZone is already in use in higher education institutions in the UK, Australia and the United States.
Users can alert the DCU emergency response team by activating the app on their smartphone and by pressing either one of three alert button options (Emergency, First Aid or Help). The location of the user is then sent to security personnel who can coordinate to provide the necessary help, quickly and effectively.
As the system is privacy protected, a user’s location will never be shared, unless they activate an alert for help, within designated zones.
The SafeZone app also enables people who are working alone or out of hours, for example in a research laboratory to check in with the campus response team by activating a “check-in” feature on the app which then sends their location and ID to campus response.
The app can be used in emergency situations or critical incidents by emergency response teams to issue updates to users. In the event of a critical incident overseas, the app will allow the university to check in with registered users, account for their whereabouts and liaise with the relevant emergency services in the affected country.
President of Dublin City, Prof Brian MacCraith said: “Staff and student well-being and safety is of the utmost importance and the SafeZone technology further enhances both of these for staff and students across our campuses and while overseas, travelling, studying and working at other institutions. DCU is now a multi-campus environment and, by deploying SafeZone in conjunction with our existing campus emergency response team, it will enable us to respond, even more effectively and efficiently to students and staff who may need emergency support.”
DCU Student Union President Niall Behan said: “We are pleased that DCU has become the first university in Ireland to use SafeZone, across all of our campuses and also for staff and students studying and working overseas. The use of this technology in conjunction with our campus emergency response team, will further enhance the DCU experience.”
And Glenn Farrant, Chief Executive Officer, CriticalArc, said: “DCU is the first customer in the Republic of Ireland to demonstrate a visionary approach to safety and security by adopting SafeZone. As well as creating a safer learning environment for students and staff, SafeZone offers DCU a raft of benefits including boosting competitive advantage to prospective students, supporting international research and teaching as well as streamlining day-to-day activities.”
Pictured left to right are Prof Brian MacCraith and Glenn Farrant.
Visit www.criticalarc.com.
