Éric has been on the front lines since 2012. Day in, day out, he tackles a variety of situations ranging from overheated labs to broken-down elevators to people locked outside rooms. Every call is taken seriously, regardless of the circumstances. The goal is always to respond effectively by bringing in the right crews—electrical, plumbing, instrumentation and others—to restore comfort and safety as quickly as possible.
“The biggest challenge is when several emergencies happen at the same time. For example, water infiltration can occur at the same time as a stuck elevator or an overflowing toilet. In such situations, you need to prioritize quickly, while communicating effectively and keeping everyone calm,” Éric explains.
One call etched in his memory
Some situations leave a lasting impression. October 22, 2014, the day of the shooting at Parliament Hill, stands out in Éric’s mind.
“I received a call from a panicked professor sheltering in a photo studio with her students. She couldn’t lock the door. The whole campus was on alert, and Protection Services was overwhelmed. While I was reassuring her over the phone, I was also looking for someone to solve the problem. It was an extremely stressful situation.”
This illustrates that the support team doesn’t just handle technical issues; it also addresses the human aspects of the situation, which is essential in times of crisis.
Your role in this collective effort
Éric says the community has a major role to play in the smooth operation of the campus. The important thing is to report issues quickly, whether urgent or not. “The sooner we know about the problem, the sooner we can address it and stop it from getting worse,” he notes. Thanks to this collaborative effort, 92% of problems are resolved after the first call.
For urgent requests, dial 5000, extension 2. Emergencies include elevator breakdowns, minor spills, uncomfortable temperatures, power failures, slippery sidewalks, toilet or sink problems and water leaks.
For non-urgent requests, send an email to [email protected].
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