Technology has allowed safety officials to continually enhance what has already been in use. Throughout the campus, there are 135 Call Boxes that immediately connect a person to UTPD upon activation, and fire alarm systems in each building.

But starting next fall, through fire alarms, UTPD will have the ability to either shut down all doors, allow access to the buildings, or have a voice over explaining the emergency in at least 77 of the buildings on campus. This new system will combine a basic fire alarm model with a connected control panel that allows safety officials to be in control of the many buildings on campus.

“When all the money is available, we want to do this in all the buildings at the same time,” Officer Halstead said. “We can renovate a handful at a time, and as projects are finishing up, move to different areas of campus.”

Harkins said that this advancement allows the university to formalize safety more efficiently.

Next: New Spin on Old Idea

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