Traditionally, emergency procedures at higher
learning institutions are contained within printed
flip charts that are typically located within each
room where they may be easily accessed. A major
drawback to this method of communicating emergency
procedures is that they are not present in
the minds of the room occupants due to infrequent
use. HSC safety and security staff were concerned
that, in the event of an emergency, faculty, staff,
students and visitors would not think about or refer
to the flip charts, but would instead look for information
to be relayed to them in some other format
(e.g., radio, television, announcement, external
media sources) (Lindell, Prater & Perry, 2007).
Emergency procedures not consulted during an
emergency have little value and offer no assistance
to those in need. These flip charts are in use at HSC
and, while a valuable tool, their effectiveness is of
concern.