Page 86 - Security Today, JulyAugust 2023

Emergency Preparedness 10 campuslifesecurity.com | JULY/AUGUST 2023 By Monique Merhige Creating Safer Classrooms with Lockdown & Emergency Response Systems Schools in the United States use a variety of emergency response systems, including lockdown pro- cedures, fire alarms, and evacua- tion plans. Additionally, some schools have implemented technology- based systems such as panic buttons and mobile apps to quickly communicate with law enforcement and emergency responders during emergency situations. These specific systems used can vary depending on the school’s location, size, and resources. Security integrators need to be mindful of all these elements when working with schools to come up with the best action plans. With active shooter incidents on the rise, schools need to be proactive and research all their options to create a safer environment for staff and students. There were 51 school shootings in 2022 in the U.S. that resulted in injuries or deaths. Schools are extremely vulnerable to these types of incidents due to the influx of peo- ple visiting school grounds daily. What can we do as security integrators to help facilitate positive change? One thing is to help educate schools on new technology that can help feed first responders crucial information like the lockdown location, etc., to save lives. There needs to be an easy way for schools to provide first responders with situational awareness so that they can respond quickly and efficiently. One way to accomplish this is to implement a lockdown & emergency response system. This can help schools protect children, staff, and first respond- ers from death and injury. Teachers need to be trained on the latest lockdown and emergency response systems to success- fully lock down their classrooms and ensure the safety of their students. “The three pillars of survival during an active shooter attack are preparation, commu- nication, and notification,” said Lt. Joseph Pangaro, Chief Security Officer at Integra Services. “Having situational awareness quickly is the only way to save lives.” It’s crucial for teachers to get the help they need in the classroom when they need it without having to look for a cell phone. Teachers need to have the power to com- municate and notify the right people with a simple push of a button. Some examples of existing technolo- gy-based systems commonly used in schools include: 1. Mass notification systems that can send emergency alerts to parents, staff, and students through various channels such as text message, email, or social media. 2. Panic buttons that can be installed in classrooms and other areas of the school to quickly notify authorities in case of an emergency. 3. Lockdown systems that allow teachers to quickly lock down their classrooms by pressing a button. 4. Video surveillance systems that can be used to monitor activity in and around the school, as well as to provide evi- dence in case of an emergency.