Vandalia Health Charleston Area Medical Center continues making significant safety improvements.
As part of this ongoing commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment, a weapon detection system has been installed at the emergency room entrance at CAMC General Hospital.
This highly sensitive system is designed to screen for potential threats using advanced technology that allows for smooth and efficient entry without disrupting patient care or daily operations. People using this entrance will be asked to open their purses, bags, backpacks, etc. for inspection. Owners of weapons will be asked to return the item to their vehicle, or it will be stored in a weapon locker by security and returned when the person exits.
CAMC also established its own police department and swore in its first officers in 2024. The force has now grown to five officers.
In late 2024, employees (at General, Memorial, Teays Valley and Women and Children’s hospitals) were given new duress buttons to attach to their employee badges. In 2025, coverage of the buttons was expanded to outdoor areas around parking lots. Staff also were invited to subscribe to proximity alerts, which allows employees to receive text or email alerts when someone in their area presses their button for assistance.
In 2025, the CAMC Police and Public Safety Dispatch Center instituted a new way to request immediate security or police assistance with the emergency number 611.
CAMC continues to improve lighting, fencing and security cameras to numbering entrances to assist first responders.
Also in the summer of 2025, Vandalia Health began using AlertMedia as its emergency communications system. AlertMedia can text, call, email and push a notification to the AlertMedia APP at the same time during a critical event. Some types of situations that might trigger an emergency alert include active shooter, bomb threat, severe power outage, severe weather, chemical leak/spill or terrorist act.
Some of these security enhancements require workforce members to subscribe or allow emergency notifications. Contact security to learn more about the duress buttons and proximity alerts.