Emergency Phones on the University at Albany Campus
What is an Emergency Phone?
Emergency Phones are located on the University at Albany campuses. They can be found in parking lots, residence halls, on the academic podium, and along roadways. They are easily recognized by the blue light just above the phone box.
In the event of an emergency there are several ways you can contact University Police: Emergency Blue Light Phones, Elevator Phones, and Area of Refuge Phones. These phones are located in many locations across University at Albany Campuses. All these phones will put you in communication with an emergency dispatcher.
Along with the 911 Emergency System, Emergency Phones on campus gives students immediate phone access to police, fire, and emergency medical services.
Where can I find an Emergency Phone on campus and how do I use one?
Emergency Phones are presented in a wide variety of configurations on the University at Albany campus.
Interior Building Hallways
These are red phone units, with the blue light located on the wall directly above the phone. As with all blue light emergency phones, the user has only to lift the receiver to connect with a 911 Dispatcher. These hallway phones are found in the Draper Campus, Campus Center, and in Ten Broeck Hall. Even if a caller does not speak, a response from the University Police Department to that phone will be initiated once the receiver is lifted from the phone. The dispatcher will know the exact location of the call from the 911 computer monitor.
Interior Walls
These are red phone units, with the blue light located on the wall directly above the phone. As with all blue light emergency phones, the user has only to lift the receiver to connect with a 911 Dispatcher. These hallway phones are found in the Draper Campus, Campus Center, and in Ten Broeck Hall. Even if a caller does not speak, a response from the University Police Department to that phone will be initiated once the receiver is lifted from the phone. The dispatcher will know the exact location of the call from the 911 computer monitor.
Exterior Walls
This style can be found in the front entrance to the four dormitory towers on Colonial, Dutch, Indigenous and State Quads. This unit is also found at the South entrance to the University Student Health Center. The actual phone is enclosed in a weather protective housing. The blue light is mounted on the wall directly above the phone. The user needs to open the housing door and pick up the receiver to contact the campus 911 Dispatcher. The caller should be prepared to give the dispatcher as much detailed information about the reported problem as possible. The caller should NOT hang up the phone until directed to do so by the 911 Dispatcher.
Exterior Poles
The pole-mounted exterior phone is one of the most familiar types of blue light telephones on campus and are located near parking lots, and on the grounds of the University at Albany. Many of these are mounted on their own pole. The pole has a blue light on top, and the white pole is striped with orange tape. A phone is located at the base of the pole in a weather protective housing.
Exterior Street Light Poles
There are some of the pole phones share a pole with a street light and can also be recognized by their orange striping and blue light. The shared street light-blue light phones can be found in Freedom Quad parking lots, and in the parking area on the grounds just East of the Biology Building. The user needs to open the housing door and pick up the receiver to report a problem or emergency. These phones can be also utilized to request a safety escort from a Police Officer. All calls are answered and receive a quick response from the University Police Department.
Where are Emergency Phones located on campus?
The Emergency Phone locations can be found on University at Albany campus maps and directions.
