[Wade Carriere]

Hi Don,

We are updating our existing Blue Phones with new technology (video intercom) with a direct tie in (not supported through telephone infrastructure) to our VMS platform.

While there was a thought process (from some) that with the availability of cellphone technology, these devices may not be as practical any longer, they still certainly have a role to play with overall campus safety and security and as a public facing means of accessing response on the campus grounds.

?

——————————
Wade Carriere
Director, Campus Security and Risk Management
University of Winnipeg
Winnipeg MB
Canada
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 09:29
From: Don Allen
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

At UNB we had installed a number of emergency blue phones (analog) on campus several years ago.? Many of the old phones are failing.?? The payphones on campus also have a direct line to our office, but Bell is slowly removing all the payphones due to lack of usage. ? We now have a safety app with a feature that works in a similar manner as the blue phone for anyone who downloads it. Everyone has a cell phone these days, so perhaps the emergency phone is just outdated technology.

I am just wondering what other Canadian institutions that have emergency phones are doing.? Are you removing them, replacing them or perhaps expanding them across campus??

Thanks,

——————————
Don Allen
Director of Security & Traffic
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
CANADA
——————————

[Glen Magel]

Morning Don

 

BCIT continues to maintain our Code Blue’s, converting them to digital through our ITS switches. The telepathy component runs off our Cisco telephone platform, and the CCTV runs off our Genetec system.

 

Glen

 

——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 2/27/2023 9:29:00 AM
From: Don Allen
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

At UNB we had installed a number of emergency blue phones (analog) on campus several years ago.? Many of the old phones are failing.?? The payphones on campus also have a direct line to our office, but Bell is slowly removing all the payphones due to lack of usage. ? We now have a safety app with a feature that works in a similar manner as the blue phone for anyone who downloads it. Everyone has a cell phone these days, so perhaps the emergency phone is just outdated technology.

I am just wondering what other Canadian institutions that have emergency phones are doing.? Are you removing them, replacing them or perhaps expanding them across campus??

Thanks,

——————————
Don Allen
Director of Security & Traffic
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
CANADA
——————————

[Robert Kilfoyle]

Hi Don,?

We continue to maintain our Code Blue phones.? Similar to what Glen at BCIT said, we’ve converted them over to IP which has made them much more stable.? They’ve also helped us expand our surveillance capabilities.? While they are not used very often, other than for the occasional parking complaint, we have had them used a few times for legitimate emergencies.? ?They are one of the more visible “safety” elements on campus and they make our students feel more secure.? ?

Regards,

Rob

——————————
Rob Kilfoyle, CPP, CMM lll Security Executive
Canadian Regional Director – IACLEA Board of Governors
Director, Dept. of Public Safety and Emergency Management
Humber College
Toronto, ON
Canada
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 09:29
From: Don Allen
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

At UNB we had installed a number of emergency blue phones (analog) on campus several years ago.? Many of the old phones are failing.?? The payphones on campus also have a direct line to our office, but Bell is slowly removing all the payphones due to lack of usage. ? We now have a safety app with a feature that works in a similar manner as the blue phone for anyone who downloads it. Everyone has a cell phone these days, so perhaps the emergency phone is just outdated technology.

I am just wondering what other Canadian institutions that have emergency phones are doing.? Are you removing them, replacing them or perhaps expanding them across campus??

Thanks,

——————————
Don Allen
Director of Security & Traffic
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
CANADA
——————————

[Alan Truong]

Hi,

At University of Toronto St. George campus, we also have many code blue analog phones that are also failing. Bell is being more and more difficult when requesting service and are not adding new analog lines to our campus.?

We are currently in the integration and POC phase of using 2N video intercoms into our enterprise security system.? This method will enable the line to be monitored for failure while receiving alarm and video notification.? The video can also be set to record continuously or on button activation.? The connection will is on the security system network.? The plan is to convert failing code blues to video intercom. I see it as enhancing and adding to the? existing security system as these are cameras.??

regards

——————————
Alan Truong
Staff Sergeant/ Manager Security Systems
University of Toronto – St. George Campus
Toronto ON
Canada
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 10:10
From: Robert Kilfoyle
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

Hi Don,?

We continue to maintain our Code Blue phones.? Similar to what Glen at BCIT said, we’ve converted them over to IP which has made them much more stable.? They’ve also helped us expand our surveillance capabilities.? While they are not used very often, other than for the occasional parking complaint, we have had them used a few times for legitimate emergencies.? ?They are one of the more visible “safety” elements on campus and they make our students feel more secure.? ?

Regards,

Rob

——————————
Rob Kilfoyle, CPP, CMM lll Security Executive
Canadian Regional Director – IACLEA Board of Governors
Director, Dept. of Public Safety and Emergency Management
Humber College
Toronto, ON
Canada
——————————

Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 09:29
From: Don Allen
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

At UNB we had installed a number of emergency blue phones (analog) on campus several years ago.? Many of the old phones are failing.?? The payphones on campus also have a direct line to our office, but Bell is slowly removing all the payphones due to lack of usage. ? We now have a safety app with a feature that works in a similar manner as the blue phone for anyone who downloads it. Everyone has a cell phone these days, so perhaps the emergency phone is just outdated technology.

I am just wondering what other Canadian institutions that have emergency phones are doing.? Are you removing them, replacing them or perhaps expanding them across campus??

Thanks,

——————————
Don Allen
Director of Security & Traffic
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
CANADA
——————————

[Robert Davis]

Hi Don

At Mohawk College, we completely converted from phone technology to Commend. This runs on the college network under our dedicated Security VLAN and is a fully supervised system, so we know at all times that all devices are fully functional.

Prior to converting the devices, we did give a lot of thought to possibly removing them completely. In the end, we felt they still have an important role to play but, rather than call them Emergency Phones we relabeled them as Assistance Phones. We feel this helps promote Security Services on campus in a more positive manner and also encourages people to use the devices more often.??

——————————
Robert Davis
Manager, Security Operations
Mohawk College of Applied Arts & Sciences
Hamilton ON
Canada
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 09:29
From: Don Allen
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

At UNB we had installed a number of emergency blue phones (analog) on campus several years ago.? Many of the old phones are failing.?? The payphones on campus also have a direct line to our office, but Bell is slowly removing all the payphones due to lack of usage. ? We now have a safety app with a feature that works in a similar manner as the blue phone for anyone who downloads it. Everyone has a cell phone these days, so perhaps the emergency phone is just outdated technology.

I am just wondering what other Canadian institutions that have emergency phones are doing.? Are you removing them, replacing them or perhaps expanding them across campus??

Thanks,

——————————
Don Allen
Director of Security & Traffic
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
CANADA
——————————

[Christopher Carson]

Hello Don, at McGill University we continue to use the emergency blue phones as a way to lend assistance to our community as well to reassure them while they are on campus. We have recently updated a few and continue to do so while we are renovating our campus infrastructure. These new phones are all connected to our IP phone system and also have different features such as a camera and with the eventual possibility of adding a mass notification system with a speaker.

While we continue to have these emergency phones on our campuses, we also believe in having multiple systems in place to ensure our community can contact us as quickly and as easily as possible, so having an application available is still something that we are looking at.

Regards,

——————————
Christopher Carson
Associate Director, Campus Public Safety (Security Services)
McGill University
Montreal Quebec
Canada
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 09:29
From: Don Allen
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

At UNB we had installed a number of emergency blue phones (analog) on campus several years ago.? Many of the old phones are failing.?? The payphones on campus also have a direct line to our office, but Bell is slowly removing all the payphones due to lack of usage. ? We now have a safety app with a feature that works in a similar manner as the blue phone for anyone who downloads it. Everyone has a cell phone these days, so perhaps the emergency phone is just outdated technology.

I am just wondering what other Canadian institutions that have emergency phones are doing.? Are you removing them, replacing them or perhaps expanding them across campus??

Thanks,

——————————
Don Allen
Director of Security & Traffic
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
CANADA
——————————

[Dragan Spasojevic]

Hi Don at York University we are still using Blue Light phones outside and inside the parking structures, there are safety phones indoors. All the phones are analogue, in this regard if there is a power outage the phones will still function. We considered going to IP based phones, however in cases of power outages our UIT staff can only guarantee 15 minutes of service. The interior safety phones are located inside the buildings, there is usually one on every floor near the elevator lobby. We no longer have pay phones on campus they have been removed. We used to have a matrix in place where emergency phones were connected to the CCTV system, so if someone activated an emergency phone a camera in that space would activate and provide video to the Security Control Centre. We monitor our CCTV cameras live, 24 hours. We are trying to re-establish this service with our Telecomm folks. We also have a Safety App, with a “Why Work Alone” function where community can register if they are working alone in the evenings, weekends and holidays and they can communicate with the security office.

——————————
Dragan Spasojevic
Manager – Community Relations & Crime Prevention
York University
Toronto ON
Canada
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 09:29
From: Don Allen
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

At UNB we had installed a number of emergency blue phones (analog) on campus several years ago.  Many of the old phones are failing.   The payphones on campus also have a direct line to our office, but Bell is slowly removing all the payphones due to lack of usage.   We now have a safety app with a feature that works in a similar manner as the blue phone for anyone who downloads it. Everyone has a cell phone these days, so perhaps the emergency phone is just outdated technology.

I am just wondering what other Canadian institutions that have emergency phones are doing.  Are you removing them, replacing them or perhaps expanding them across campus? 

Thanks,

——————————
Don Allen
Director of Security & Traffic
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
CANADA
——————————

[David Lee]

Hi Don

At the University of Guelph, we have kept our analog Blue Poles. The main reason provided by the Adminaitration is that it provides a safety “visual” on campus.

In practical terms, about 98% of our activations are pranks with 1% physical emergencies and 1% mental health emergencies.?

I’m told by the Campus IT folks that there may be other adaptive uses through add-on devices such as cameras and wayfinder devices (connected by wifi) but those are only discussions at this point with finding being an issue.

We also have wall phones like York and my staff regularly check all these poles and phones.monthly. Again like York, our CCTV cameras feed back to my dispatch.

Dave

——————————
David Lee
Director of Campus Safety Office
University of Guelph
Guelph ON
Canada
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 08-27-2024 10:49
From: Dragan Spasojevic
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

Hi Don at York University we are still using Blue Light phones outside and inside the parking structures, there are safety phones indoors. All the phones are analogue, in this regard if there is a power outage the phones will still function. We considered going to IP based phones, however in cases of power outages our UIT staff can only guarantee 15 minutes of service. The interior safety phones are located inside the buildings, there is usually one on every floor near the elevator lobby. We no longer have pay phones on campus they have been removed. We used to have a matrix in place where emergency phones were connected to the CCTV system, so if someone activated an emergency phone a camera in that space would activate and provide video to the Security Control Centre. We monitor our CCTV cameras live, 24 hours. We are trying to re-establish this service with our Telecomm folks. We also have a Safety App, with a “Why Work Alone” function where community can register if they are working alone in the evenings, weekends and holidays and they can communicate with the security office.

——————————
Dragan Spasojevic
Manager – Community Relations & Crime Prevention
York University
Toronto ON
Canada
——————————

Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 09:29
From: Don Allen
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

At UNB we had installed a number of emergency blue phones (analog) on campus several years ago.  Many of the old phones are failing.   The payphones on campus also have a direct line to our office, but Bell is slowly removing all the payphones due to lack of usage.   We now have a safety app with a feature that works in a similar manner as the blue phone for anyone who downloads it. Everyone has a cell phone these days, so perhaps the emergency phone is just outdated technology.

I am just wondering what other Canadian institutions that have emergency phones are doing.  Are you removing them, replacing them or perhaps expanding them across campus? 

Thanks,

——————————
Don Allen
Director of Security & Traffic
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
CANADA
——————————

[Robert Davis]

At Mohawk College we used to have a mish-mash of analogue and cellular intercoms and assistance phones. A few years back we decided to standardise all our devices and switched to Commend. For our assistance phones outside we used Code Blue stanchions but with Commend intercom units installed. Inside, all intercoms are now Commend. The system is fully supervised, so we know right away if a device has failed or disconnected.

——————————
Robert Davis
Manager, Security Operations
Mohawk College of Applied Arts & Sciences
Hamilton ON
Canada
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 08-27-2024 11:06
From: David Lee
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

Hi Don

At the University of Guelph, we have kept our analog Blue Poles. The main reason provided by the Adminaitration is that it provides a safety “visual” on campus.

In practical terms, about 98% of our activations are pranks with 1% physical emergencies and 1% mental health emergencies. 

I’m told by the Campus IT folks that there may be other adaptive uses through add-on devices such as cameras and wayfinder devices (connected by wifi) but those are only discussions at this point with finding being an issue.

We also have wall phones like York and my staff regularly check all these poles and phones.monthly. Again like York, our CCTV cameras feed back to my dispatch.

Dave

——————————
David Lee
Director of Campus Safety Office
University of Guelph
Guelph ON
Canada
——————————

Original Message:
Sent: 08-27-2024 10:49
From: Dragan Spasojevic
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

Hi Don at York University we are still using Blue Light phones outside and inside the parking structures, there are safety phones indoors. All the phones are analogue, in this regard if there is a power outage the phones will still function. We considered going to IP based phones, however in cases of power outages our UIT staff can only guarantee 15 minutes of service. The interior safety phones are located inside the buildings, there is usually one on every floor near the elevator lobby. We no longer have pay phones on campus they have been removed. We used to have a matrix in place where emergency phones were connected to the CCTV system, so if someone activated an emergency phone a camera in that space would activate and provide video to the Security Control Centre. We monitor our CCTV cameras live, 24 hours. We are trying to re-establish this service with our Telecomm folks. We also have a Safety App, with a “Why Work Alone” function where community can register if they are working alone in the evenings, weekends and holidays and they can communicate with the security office.

——————————
Dragan Spasojevic
Manager – Community Relations & Crime Prevention
York University
Toronto ON
Canada

Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 09:29
From: Don Allen
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

At UNB we had installed a number of emergency blue phones (analog) on campus several years ago.  Many of the old phones are failing.   The payphones on campus also have a direct line to our office, but Bell is slowly removing all the payphones due to lack of usage.   We now have a safety app with a feature that works in a similar manner as the blue phone for anyone who downloads it. Everyone has a cell phone these days, so perhaps the emergency phone is just outdated technology.

I am just wondering what other Canadian institutions that have emergency phones are doing.  Are you removing them, replacing them or perhaps expanding them across campus? 

Thanks,

——————————
Don Allen
Director of Security & Traffic
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
CANADA
——————————

[Joel Keenleyside]

“In practical terms, about 98% of our activations are pranks with 1% physical emergencies and 1% mental health emergencies.”

 

I agree with David, prank calls on our blue lights is a growing issue for us as well, to the extent that I question the expansion of the system further.  Recognizing that most people carry cell phones now, my colleague Murray Skeggs has worked to develop our own SeQure app, which provides a number of services and resources in one location on a person’s own device:

 

https://www.queensu.ca/risk/security/sequre-app

 

Joel Keenleyside

 

Joel Keenleyside

Manager, Security Operations

Campus Security and Emergency Services

355 King St. W.

Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6

Phone:  (613)-533-6733

Emergency:  (613)-533-6111

 

——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 8/27/2024 11:07:00 AM
From: David Lee
Subject: RE: Emergency Blue Phones

Hi Don

At the University of Guelph, we have kept our analog Blue Poles. The main reason provided by the Adminaitration is that it provides a safety “visual” on campus.

In practical terms, about 98% of our activations are pranks with 1% physical emergencies and 1% mental health emergencies. 

I’m told by the Campus IT folks that there may be other adaptive uses through add-on devices such as cameras and wayfinder devices (connected by wifi) but those are only discussions at this point with finding being an issue.

We also have wall phones like York and my staff regularly check all these poles and phones.monthly. Again like York, our CCTV cameras feed back to my dispatch.

Dave

——————————
David Lee
Director of Campus Safety Office
University of Guelph
Guelph ON
Canada
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 08-27-2024 10:49
From: Dragan Spasojevic
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

Hi Don at York University we are still using Blue Light phones outside and inside the parking structures, there are safety phones indoors. All the phones are analogue, in this regard if there is a power outage the phones will still function. We considered going to IP based phones, however in cases of power outages our UIT staff can only guarantee 15 minutes of service. The interior safety phones are located inside the buildings, there is usually one on every floor near the elevator lobby. We no longer have pay phones on campus they have been removed. We used to have a matrix in place where emergency phones were connected to the CCTV system, so if someone activated an emergency phone a camera in that space would activate and provide video to the Security Control Centre. We monitor our CCTV cameras live, 24 hours. We are trying to re-establish this service with our Telecomm folks. We also have a Safety App, with a “Why Work Alone” function where community can register if they are working alone in the evenings, weekends and holidays and they can communicate with the security office.

——————————
Dragan Spasojevic
Manager – Community Relations & Crime Prevention
York University
Toronto ON
Canada
——————————

Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 09:29
From: Don Allen
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

At UNB we had installed a number of emergency blue phones (analog) on campus several years ago.  Many of the old phones are failing.   The payphones on campus also have a direct line to our office, but Bell is slowly removing all the payphones due to lack of usage.   We now have a safety app with a feature that works in a similar manner as the blue phone for anyone who downloads it. Everyone has a cell phone these days, so perhaps the emergency phone is just outdated technology.

I am just wondering what other Canadian institutions that have emergency phones are doing.  Are you removing them, replacing them or perhaps expanding them across campus? 

Thanks,

——————————
Don Allen
Director of Security & Traffic
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
CANADA
——————————

[Brian Billings]

Don, we still have them and are maintaining them at Carleton.? In many of the phones stantions we also have cameras and ITS also has added WAPs for extended wifi coverage for students in open areas.? It is an feeling of safety piece to maintain them and provides comfort to the community – phones are situated in garages and along safepaths and we have our Emergency Phone number also printed on the stantions at at each phone location advising of the CSS Emergency Phone number so they can dial the number from their cellphone if the button does not connect them/phone is down.? CSS tests phones every week.? We also have the APP and encourage our community members to download it on their smartphones…the APP has an icon that when pushed will automatically dial 613-520-4444 – our emergency line.

——————————
Brian Billings
Executive Director – Campus Safety Services
Carleton University
Ottawa ON
Canada
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 08-27-2024 10:49
From: Dragan Spasojevic
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

Hi Don at York University we are still using Blue Light phones outside and inside the parking structures, there are safety phones indoors. All the phones are analogue, in this regard if there is a power outage the phones will still function. We considered going to IP based phones, however in cases of power outages our UIT staff can only guarantee 15 minutes of service. The interior safety phones are located inside the buildings, there is usually one on every floor near the elevator lobby. We no longer have pay phones on campus they have been removed. We used to have a matrix in place where emergency phones were connected to the CCTV system, so if someone activated an emergency phone a camera in that space would activate and provide video to the Security Control Centre. We monitor our CCTV cameras live, 24 hours. We are trying to re-establish this service with our Telecomm folks. We also have a Safety App, with a “Why Work Alone” function where community can register if they are working alone in the evenings, weekends and holidays and they can communicate with the security office.

——————————
Dragan Spasojevic
Manager – Community Relations & Crime Prevention
York University
Toronto ON
Canada
——————————

Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 09:29
From: Don Allen
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

At UNB we had installed a number of emergency blue phones (analog) on campus several years ago.  Many of the old phones are failing.   The payphones on campus also have a direct line to our office, but Bell is slowly removing all the payphones due to lack of usage.   We now have a safety app with a feature that works in a similar manner as the blue phone for anyone who downloads it. Everyone has a cell phone these days, so perhaps the emergency phone is just outdated technology.

I am just wondering what other Canadian institutions that have emergency phones are doing.  Are you removing them, replacing them or perhaps expanding them across campus? 

Thanks,

——————————
Don Allen
Director of Security & Traffic
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
CANADA
——————————

[Murray Skeggs]

Hi Don,

Queen’s continues to use and maintain our network of analog Emergency Phones.? The originals are quite dated and as replacement becomes necessary, they are being replaced with Code Blue models that are both digital and analog.? New ones are also being installed with reno and new building projects, from those funds.

Like others have mentioned, it provides a visual reminder to students and staff that security is available.??

Murray

——————————
Murray Skeggs
Manager, Security Risk and Training
Queen’s University
Kingston ON
Canada
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 09:29
From: Don Allen
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

At UNB we had installed a number of emergency blue phones (analog) on campus several years ago.  Many of the old phones are failing.   The payphones on campus also have a direct line to our office, but Bell is slowly removing all the payphones due to lack of usage.   We now have a safety app with a feature that works in a similar manner as the blue phone for anyone who downloads it. Everyone has a cell phone these days, so perhaps the emergency phone is just outdated technology.

I am just wondering what other Canadian institutions that have emergency phones are doing.  Are you removing them, replacing them or perhaps expanding them across campus? 

Thanks,

——————————
Don Allen
Director of Security & Traffic
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
CANADA
——————————

[Ryan MacDonald]

UOttawa is very much in this same position as Queens is running both with some aging infrastructure.? As new projects come online, they are equipped with the newer technology. We are pushing more people to our app as more and more VOIP options are being implemented.? Our traditional blue phones are a mix of analog and digital, the campus is currently switching all over to digital and the last phase is our e-phones and elevator phones.??

——————————
Ryan MacDonald
Assistant Director, Operations
University of Ottawa
Ottawa ON
Canada
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 08-27-2024 11:18
From: Murray Skeggs
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

Hi Don,

Queen’s continues to use and maintain our network of analog Emergency Phones.  The originals are quite dated and as replacement becomes necessary, they are being replaced with Code Blue models that are both digital and analog.  New ones are also being installed with reno and new building projects, from those funds.

Like others have mentioned, it provides a visual reminder to students and staff that security is available.  

Murray

——————————
Murray Skeggs
Manager, Security Risk and Training
Queen’s University
Kingston ON
Canada
——————————

Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 09:29
From: Don Allen
Subject: Emergency Blue Phones

At UNB we had installed a number of emergency blue phones (analog) on campus several years ago.  Many of the old phones are failing.   The payphones on campus also have a direct line to our office, but Bell is slowly removing all the payphones due to lack of usage.   We now have a safety app with a feature that works in a similar manner as the blue phone for anyone who downloads it. Everyone has a cell phone these days, so perhaps the emergency phone is just outdated technology.

I am just wondering what other Canadian institutions that have emergency phones are doing.  Are you removing them, replacing them or perhaps expanding them across campus? 

Thanks,

——————————
Don Allen
Director of Security & Traffic
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
CANADA
——————————