The University of New Mexico (UNM), a higher education institution, has joined the Safer Buildings Coalition to help bring state-of-the-art voice and data communications inside its buildings to increase safety for the campus community and its first responders.

The Safer Buildings Coalition is an independent, non-profit organization focused on advancing policies, ideas and technologies that ensure comprehensive in-building communications capabilities for public safety personnel and the people they serve. The coalition brings together the expertise and resources of wireless infrastructure and service providers, fire and building code officials, and property owners to improve fire codes and accelerate their adoption and to train and educate people about public safety communications in buildings. UNM will bring the Coalition into the design and considerations of new, remodel and retrofit projects.

“The University of New Mexico is pleased to become a member of the Safer Buildings Coalition,” said Associate Director Mark Reynolds, UNM Core IT Voice Services, who will serve as the University’s liaison. “Life safety is key for higher education, and external and internal building coverage. Being part of this coalition will allow the University to be involved in the current technologies and mandates associated with life safety.”

UNM provides emergency services for the University, UNM Hospital and UNM’s Health Sciences Center from E911, fire alarm support, security and application support for life safety. The Safer Buildings Coalition provides invaluable information, training and consulting on public safety communications for buildings.

“The Safer Buildings Coalition welcomes The University of New Mexico,” said Safer Buildings Coalition Executive Director Alan Perdue. “The team at UNM is in an excellent position to provide the SBC with industry support and technology leadership in public safety communications. We are excited to gain key insights into the unique needs of students and educators within the university campus environment at UNM.”