News Brief: Emergency Management Provides Campus Safeguards

Story by Joey Galvan, Reporter

The Emergency Management (EM) department at ACC develops communication and recovery systems for use during emergencies.

The best way to be prepared for emergencies is to know the safety procedures that have been put in place, EM coordinator Kristine Elderkin said.

“Go over the emergency procedures posters and review the campus safety plan posted in your classroom at the beginning of every semester and always find your nearest exit and an alternate.”

Emergency Preparedness Week is one of EM’s most noticeable programs. During the third week of every semester, required drills are conducted and ACC Emergency Alert equipment and procedures are tested.

Elderkin encourages students to register their ACC email accounts and cell phone numbers with the college’s Emergency Alert system.

“ACC Emergency Alert uses several methods to communicate information in the event of an emergency,” she said. “If your cell phone is registered correctly in the system, we can put [vital] information in the palm of your hand.”

Students may register with ACC’s Emergency Alert system online and can also find information for those who need special assistance during an emergency rescue situation.

ACC is required by law to update students’ emergency contact information every year. If students have not checked their accounts for a year, they will be asked to re-enter or update their numbers or confirm their choice to opt-out.

To contact campus police, students may call 512-223-7999 or dial 222 from any campus phone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.