Sign up to campus safety

UQ is encouraging new and returning students and staff to sign up to the SafeZone smart phone app designed to improve safety and security across all campuses.

Property and Facilities Director Steve Dickson said the app was designed to connect students and staff directly to the UQ Security team or emergency services for around-the-clock on-campus first-aid or emergency response.

“The GPS-based app has been incredibly popular since its launch, with almost 8000 registered users,” he said.

“It now has new features, including an after-hours timer for those wanting to work late with confidence they will be monitored to reach their transport safely; and real-time campus safety bus tracking to allow people to time their exit to coincide with the arrival of the safety bus.

“The app is available at UQ’s St Lucia, Gatton and Herston (excluding RBWH) campuses and the Long Pocket, PACE, Pinjarra Hills, Indooroopilly Mine and Moreton Bay Research Station sites, providing the user has mobile phone or wifi coverage,” Mr Dickson said.

“It’s designed to enhance emergency response and communication during critical incidents such as lockdowns and natural disasters by sending notifications to users’ mobile devices.”

SafeZone uses location-based tracking, but does not track a user’s location until an emergency alarm is activated or a call is made for help or first-aid.

“If the app is activated on one of our campuses then the campus security team will respond to the alarm or call,” Mr Dickson said.

If it’s activated at sites without 24-hour security – Long Pocket, PACE, Pinjarra Hills, the Indooroopilly Mine and the Moreton Bay Research Station – it will dial 000 to connect the user directly with emergency services.

SafeZone complements a range of security measures, including 788 security cameras, 72 emergency call points, a night safety bus service at St Lucia, night escorts, 24-hour security patrols and published preferred paths for after-dark travel.

Download the SafeZone app at:

• iPhone/iPad: goo.gl/6ED0XV
• Android phone/tablet: goo.gl/e3u9mO
• Windows phone: goo.gl/5vFxhW

Full details are available at www.pf.uq.edu.au/unisafe/uqsafezone/

Media: UQ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, 07 3365 1120.