Safety app being used on university campus

Curtin University, in a Western Australian first, has implemented a free mobile phone app that gives staff and students instant access to the university’s security team.

The SafeZone app can be downloaded onto an Android or Apple phone and operates across each of Curtin’s Western Australia campuses.

Graham Arndt, Curtin’s Director of Asset Management, said the safety of staff and students is a priority and the SafeZone app, developed by CriticalArc Pty Ltd, was a great addition to the range of safety measures the university has in place across its campuses. Curtin is the first WA university to sign up for the app.

“Within seconds of pressing the alert for general assistance, first aid or urgent help, the security team - also using a CriticalArc app on smartphones - will receive notification and be able to pinpoint the exact location of the person in distress,” Arndt said.

“This is particularly important for staff and students working late or new students in unfamiliar environments who may find it difficult to describe their location. With SafeZone, help is at their fingertips should they ever need it.

“Curtin is constantly monitoring and looking for ways to improve safety on and around campus and Safezone will create a greater sense of wellbeing for all students and staff,” Arndt added.

The app can also be used to alert subscribers to issues on campus such as storm damage or closed areas via SMS, and then continue to update them as events develop.

Curtin’s campus security provides 24-hour support, seven days a week. The university also offers a security escort service and campus bus service as well as a weekday courtesy bus service which runs along two circular routes through Bentley and Waterford during semester.