Texas A&M International Replaces Elevator Emergency Phones

Texas A&M International University has replaced all elevator emergency phones with newer hands-free Elevator Emergency Telephones that can be activated with a touch of a button.

The new Elevator Emergency Telephones will provide A&M International students, staff, and visitors 24-hour immediate access to University Police and the Laredo 911 Center.

Chief of University Police Harry Stege explained that once an Elevator Emergency Telephone is activated, the telephone automatically dials the University Police. If the line is busy or there is no answer, the phone automatically dials the Laredo 911 Center. If that number is busy or there is no answer the University Police number is dialed again automatically. The process continues until there is an answer at either the University Police Department or the Laredo 911 Center.

The switch to the newer Elevator Emergency Telephones was prompted by the University's commitment to safety, Stege explained.

"Our top priority is keeping the campus of Texas A&M International University safe and free of crime," he said.

Last year, the University installed five "Code Blue" Emergency Telephones on campus in the South Plaza and West and East Parking areas to ensure the safety of the University community. The Code Blue Emergency Telephones are housed in prominent, clearly marked columns topped by bright blue strobe lights.

When these emergency hands-free phones are activated, the blue emergency strobe light atop the phone housing begins to flash, the University Police are called automatically, and if there is no answer, the Laredo 911 number is automatically dialed. The blue emergency strobe light flashes continuously until the emergency is answered.

For further information on the Emergency Telephones installed at Texas A&M International University, please contact the University Police Department at 326-2100.

Office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.