No one ever wants to think about the possibility of a school emergency, but the truth is that they unfortunately can, and do, happen. That’s why it’s so important for schools to have a plan in place to prevent and respond to emergencies. “The whole idea is to be preventative, proactive,” stated Dave Newlan, The Executive Director for Safety, Security, and Emergency Management for the School District of Lee County, FL., “How do we prevent that from happening again.”
One of the best ways to prevent school emergencies in 2023 is by leveraging technology. Here are four ways that technology can help prevent school emergencies.
Communication Tools
In the event of an emergency, timely and effective communication is essential. There are a number of communication tools that can be used to ensure that everyone—students, staff, parents, and first responders—is kept up-to-date on what is happening and what needs to be done. Two-way radios, mass notification systems, and even social media can all be used to disseminate information quickly and efficiently.
Visitor Management Systems
A visitor management system can eliminate manual visitor logs, keep your school compliant, and most importantly, protect your students from outside threats. Visitor management software allows schools to screen for registered sex offenders and confirm child custody. Surprisingly, family kidnappings make up half of all reported abductions in the United States. Using a visitor management system provides vigilant awareness and detailed tracking of critical information that will keep students out of harm’s way.
Emergency Attendance and Alert Systems
Emergency management systems (EMS) are designed to help schools plan for and respond to emergencies. EMS systems typically include features like school emergency alerts, emergency attendance, a panic button, first responder alerts, and more. By having an EMS in place, schools can be better prepared to handle any type of emergency that may occur. In a recent survey of over 400 schools, only 12% had an EMS in place to quickly and accurately locate people on campus. Having real-time visibility into who is currently on your campus, including students, staff, visitors, and parents, is crucial to taking appropriate action.
Perimeter Security Systems
Perimeter security systems are another important tool that can be used to prevent and respond to emergencies. Security cameras, license plate readers, access control systems, and intruder detection systems can all help make schools safer places. Tools like automated license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras are especially valuable because they provide real-time awareness of every vehicle on your campus. In the event of an emergency, security footage and vehicle documentation can be invaluable for school administration as they work to identify immediate threats.
Technology plays a vital role in preventing and responding to school emergencies. By using communication tools, visitor management systems, emergency attendance systems, and perimeter security systems, schools can be better prepared to handle any type of emergency that may occur. While no one ever wants to think about the possibility of a school emergency, it’s important to be prepared.
Are you confident in your school’s emergency prevention methods? Learn how your school can proactively identify risks, send instant emergency alerts, and take real-time emergency attendance with our modern comprehensive solution.
