Page 94 - Security Today, October 2019

securing campuses
can delay on-site response. This is com- pounded by the fact that active shooters can move at a fast pace throughout the build- ing—making it even more difficult to track the shooter and prolonging the event.
Early detection can trigger a host of responses including alerting students, staff, patients and other building occupants to the location where shots were fired while trig- gering building alarms, emergency notifica- tions, evacuation and sheltering procedures.
Recent tests have shown that shot detec- tion technology with automatic emergency communication enables law enforcement to respond and mitigate a threat up to 60 per- cent faster. Today’s leading gunshot detec- tion systems even offer map-based graphical user interfaces that display the location of the shooter to building occupants and law enforcement, as well as display audio and video of the incident. The systems provide
safety and evacuation instructions while communicating with emergency services and mass notification systems, prompting a quick response by law enforcement.
Acoustic detection can also indicate the number of shots fired and the cadence at which they were released, giving insight into the type of weapon the shooter is using. This data is sent to security, law enforcement, hospitals and fire service to enhance their overall strategic picture of the situation and aid in response.
5. Look for Integration Features
To maximize effectiveness, it is important to select a gunshot detection system that sup- ports multiple integration options, including video feeds from existing CCTV and intru- sion systems, mass notification systems, access control systems and panic button/ manual initiation systems.
In the future, the integration of shot detection into existing life safety systems will enable facilities to leverage the infrastructure already in place. After detection occurs, mass notification to occupants, first responders and law enforcement can be sent through the same systems used for fire detection. Like all life safety systems, redundancies will be built into shot detection technology to ensure continuous uptime.
While no technology or planning will ever eliminate active shooter threats, it can sig- nificantly shorten the duration and lessen the impact of the event. Advancements in shot detection give occupants, emergency management and first responders valuable seconds to react to active shooter events and, in turn, potentially save lives.
Thomas W. Connell II is the senior manager, Life Safety, at Johnson Controls.
22 campuslifesecurity.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019