University launches new safety app
UPEI SAFE will notify community regarding storm closures, emergencies and provide safety resources
The University of Prince Edward Island has launched a new, free safety app called UPEI SAFE as part of UPEI’s commitment to emergency preparedness and response.
UPEI SAFE is an app that the university will use to advise its community about emergencies, university/storm closures and safety-related issues, as well as offer health and safety information.
“The University of Prince Edward Island takes the health, safety and security of its students, faculty, staff and the entire campus community very seriously,” said Jackie Podger, vice-president administration and finance.
“UPEI SAFE is an excellent resource that serves as an emergency mass notification system as well as provides health and safety information. I encourage all members of our campus community, but also family and friends, to download UPEI SAFE.”
While email addresses of UPEI student, faculty and staff have been automatically entered into UPEI SAFE, community members are encouraged to download the app from the App Store (for iOS devices) or Google Play (for
Android devices) in order to receive push notifications and to access a full menu of features such as Mobile BlueLight, Friend Walk and WorkAlone.
Other UPEI SAFE resources include emergency contact information, contact information for campus support services, campus maps and a mechanism to report health and safety concerns to several offices on campus. Community members who do not have a smartphone or a supported app platform may subscribe to receive notifications by text (SMS) over cell connections by texting the word UPEI to the short code 723389.
Notifications about emergency situations and university/storm closures are pushed through UPEI SAFE as well as emailed to student, faculty and staff @ upei.ca email addresses.
Messages are also posted on the UPEI home page (upei.ca), the UPEI Campus Screen network and on Twitter (@UPEI). Emergency messages may also be broadcast in UPEI buildings through a public address system.
The UPEI SAFE app, developed by AppArmor, replaces an earlier system called UPEI Emergency Alert.