The Austin Community College District is installing hundreds of electronic message boards and public-address speakers across the district as part of the college’s new emergency mass notification system.

“In normal operation, the electronic message boards are programmed to display the time, which is synchronized across the college,” says Rebecca Cole, environmental health, safety, and insurance director. “In the event of an emergency, the speakers and emergency message boards will be activated to provide critical information.”

Installing the more than 1,000 pieces of equipment in buildings and parking areas began over winter break. Installation of the system was the first phase of the project. Upcoming activities include system optimization, making the installation of system more aesthetically pleasing, and employee training.

The new equipment should be treated like a fire alarm system or fire extinguishers. “It’s there as part of the campus life safety equipment,” Cole says. “Tampering with an emergency mass notification system is a federal offense.”

The message boards and speakers are only one portion of a comprehensive emergency mass notification system being introduced. Read more about the new safety measures in this month’s ACC eNewsletter, coming out January 16.