THE UNIVERSITY has strengthened its emergency response capabilities by acquiring a new fleet of campus patrol vehicles and an additional fire truck.
Assoc. Prof. Juliano Parena Jr., head of the UST Campus Safety and Security Office, said eight uniform patrol motorcycles were procured to make campus security personnel more visible and identifiable to students.
“Dati kasi, it’s their personal motorcycles that they’re using. Ngayon, nakikita ko na nagpa-patrol sila d’yan and…people don’t immediately equate them to be part of our security,” Parena told the Varsitarian.
“My suggestion was that we come up with uniform-designed motorcycles para ‘yon ‘yong gamit nila when they are roaming around the campus, to let other people know that security is present,” he added.
The Honda ADV-160 motorcycles are equipped with lights and sirens.
According to Parena, lights will be used during routine patrols, while the sirens will only be activated during emergencies.
Aside from regular patrols, the motorcycles will also be used to escort guests and during University events.
UST has also acquired an additional fire truck capable of storing 6,500 liters of water, enough to suppress fire within the campus for at least five minutes before external firefighting units arrive.
“We don’t have a fire hydrant inside the University so siyempre kapag wala kang tubig paano ka lalaban doon sa apoy?” Parena said.
The fire truck is also equipped with a generator set to illuminate areas affected by smoke or fires occurring at night.
Parena said the UST Campus Safety and Security Office plans to train more support staff and faculty members in emergency response.
“Eventually, we are hoping na maka-produce tayo ng pool of support staff and faculty members who are also trained responders kasi alam naman natin na disaster can strike anytime,” he said. “At least kung mas maraming may alam, mas madaming makakatulong in times of disaster.”
