Essential Safety Solutions for Schools

Two-way radios have been a popular emergency communication tool in many schools due to their ability to instantly communicate specific needs and locations. However, they come with several drawbacks.

Pros:

• Instant Communication: Radios provide a quick and direct way to communicate exactly what you need and where, which can be vital in an emergency.
• Widely Used: They have been an effective solution in many schools for staff to communicate with each other in real-time.

Cons:

• Heavy and Bulky: Many teachers find radios too large and heavy to carry around, leading to situations where the radio is left on a desk and out of reach when help is needed.
• High Cost: The expense of purchasing radios for all staff members can be prohibitive, limiting the ability to have enough radios on hand, which reduces the number of people able to alert others during a crisis.
• Channel Issues: There have been instances where teachers accidentally change channels on their radios during a struggle, preventing their calls for help from being heard. This is especially problematic if help is needed urgently.
• Unreliable Coverage During Busy Times: In certain situations, like during lunch when many staff members may leave their radios behind, calls for help may go unnoticed, leaving staff vulnerable.

While two-way radios have their place as a useful communication tool, they are not always the optimal choice in an emergency situation, where immediate and clear communication is critical.

Pros and Cons of Using a Phone App for Emergency Notifications

Pros:

• Convenient Communication: Emergency phone apps offer the potential for quick communication in emergencies, with alerts and messages sent directly to the right people within the school.
• Customizable Features: Many apps allow for tailored notifications, geolocation tracking, and integration with other school security systems, which can be advantageous in some situations.
• Cost Flexibility: Some emergency phone apps are relatively inexpensive, and the solution can range from budget-friendly to more advanced and feature-rich systems depending on the needs of the school.

Cons:

• Low Adoption Rate: One of the biggest challenges with emergency phone apps is that many teachers and staff are unwilling to download a work-related app onto their personal devices. Concerns about privacy, phone tracking, and potential compensation for phone usage are significant barriers.
• Difficult to Use Under Stress: In an emergency, opening an app on a phone can be time-consuming and frustrating. Staff often complain that it takes too long to locate and launch the app, making it difficult to initiate a call for help in a timely manner, especially under stress or when struggling with a student or intruder.
• Risk of Inadequate Usage: If teachers and staff are not carrying or using their phones during an emergency (for example, because the phone is left in a desk or locker), the app becomes ineffective.
• Recurring Costs: While some apps can be inexpensive initially, the cost of licenses, maintenance, and annual subscriptions can add up over time, making it an expensive long-term solution for many school districts.
• Unsuccessful Implementation: Despite the promise of phone apps, many schools and districts have found that they fail to gain traction and are eventually abandoned. The low adoption rate, difficulty using the app in a crisis, and ongoing costs often lead to them being "mothballed" shortly after implementation.

While the concept of using phone apps for emergency notifications seems promising, the challenges with adoption, usability under pressure, and ongoing costs have led many school districts to move away from them as a reliable emergency solution. 

Pros and Cons of Relying on a Cell Phone or Classroom Phone for Emergency Notification

Pros:

• Effective Communication: Phones, whether cell phones or classroom landlines, are widely available and generally reliable tools for communication. They allow teachers to reach out to others for help in an emergency.
• Direct Contact: Phones offer a direct line to specific individuals, which can be helpful in non-urgent situations where someone needs to be contacted for support or to relay information quickly.

Cons:

• Uncertainty in Who to Call: In an emergency, teachers often struggle with knowing exactly who to contact for help, and even if they do, the people they try to call are sometimes not at their desk or unavailable. This creates delays when every second counts.
• Phone Tree Issues: If every teacher and substitute doesn’t have emergency contacts memorized, relying on a phone tree can be time-consuming. The process of calling multiple numbers until someone answers is not practical in a crisis.
• Difficult to Use Under Pressure: Trying to make a phone call during a struggle or stressful situation is difficult. Whether using a classroom phone or a personal cell phone, both are challenging to use when you're physically engaged with someone or trying to manage an emergency.
• Limited Access When Away from Classroom: Phones, whether cell phones or landlines, are ineffective if they’re left in the classroom while a teacher is in the hallway or elsewhere in the building. This limits the ability to communicate with others if an emergency arises outside the classroom.
• Not an Optimal Emergency Solution: While phones are excellent communication tools in general, they fall short as a primary method for emergency notification, especially when the situation requires instant, widespread alerts or if the phone is unavailable when needed.

While phones (cell phones and classroom phones) are useful for communication, they are not the ideal solution for emergency notification in schools. Their limitations, such as the difficulty of using them under stress, lack of accessibility in certain situations, and challenges in quickly reaching the right person, make them less reliable for urgent situations.

Pros and Cons of Relying on Stationary Panic Buttons for Emergency Notification

Pros:

• Quick Response: Stationary panic buttons, like those used in banks, allow for a fast way to signal an emergency, such as a robbery, by instantly alerting authorities (like police) when activated.
• Simple to Use: The button is typically easy to use with a simple push, offering immediate action in critical situations without requiring any complicated steps.
• Proven Effectiveness in Specific Environments: In settings like banks, where employees are stationed at fixed positions (like tellers), these buttons serve their purpose well by quickly triggering emergency alerts.

Cons:

• High Installation Costs: Stationary panic buttons often require either hardwiring into the system or relying on wireless, battery-operated models. Both options come with significant costs, especially if deployed in every classroom. Wiring can be expensive and intrusive, while battery-powered options require regular maintenance and replacement.
• Lack of Differentiation in Emergency Types: Stationary panic buttons don't differentiate between different types of emergencies. For example, it’s impossible to signal whether assistance is needed for a fight between students or for a serious incident requiring police or fire services. This lack of context can lead to confusion and delayed responses.
• Limited Mobility: Since stationary panic buttons are fixed to a specific location (such as under a desk or behind a counter), they are not practical in dynamic environments like schools. Teachers and staff are mobile, moving between classrooms, hallways, recess areas, and pick-up/drop-off points, meaning the button would not be accessible or effective if they are away from their designated area.
• Inflexibility in Emergency Situations: In a school setting, where emergencies can occur in various locations across the campus, a stationary panic button lacks the flexibility to reach teachers and staff who might be far from their desks or offices, leaving them unable to alert others when necessary.

While stationary panic buttons are effective in environments like banks, they are not ideal for schools. Their high installation costs, limited functionality in different emergency situations, and lack of mobility make them less reliable as a comprehensive emergency notification solution in a school or district setting.

Pros and Cons of Relying on Mobile Panic Buttons for Emergency Notification

Pros:

• Cost-Effective: Compared to other emergency notification solutions like radios or stationary panic buttons, mobile panic buttons are generally more affordable. This cost-effectiveness allows districts to equip every staff member, ensuring that everyone can be part of the safety network.
• Ease of Use: Mobile panic buttons are simple to operate—typically just requiring a press of a button to call for help. They are intuitive, so even under stress, staff can quickly and easily signal for assistance.
• Discreet Activation: One of the greatest advantages is the ability to trigger the panic button discreetly. Unlike radios or phones, which can alert nearby individuals when help is being called, a mobile panic button can be used covertly, without drawing attention to the user or the situation.
• Mobility and Flexibility: Unlike stationary panic buttons, mobile panic buttons can be used anywhere on campus—whether in a classroom, hallway, recess area, or even a restroom. This allows staff to call for help no matter where they are, ensuring a wider range of coverage.
• Location Tracking: Most mobile panic buttons come with location tracking features, which notify administrators and responders of the user's exact location once the button is pressed. This helps ensure that help arrives quickly and at the right place.
• Customizable Alerts: Many mobile panic button solutions allow for different types of emergency alerts, such as indicating the level of urgency or the type of assistance needed. Some systems can notify specific staff members or dispatch authorities depending on the emergency type, providing flexibility in the response.
• Comprehensive Coverage: By equipping every staff member, mobile panic buttons ensure that every corner of the school has someone able to act as an "eyes and ears" for safety, increasing the likelihood of quick response in any situation.

Cons:

• Dependence on Technology: Mobile panic buttons rely on the availability of mobile devices and their functionality. If there is a technical issue or the battery runs out, the device may be ineffective, which could pose a problem in an emergency.
• Potential for Misuse: In some cases, accidental activation or misuse of the button could result in unnecessary alerts or a disruption of the emergency response process. Staff must be properly trained to ensure they use the panic button effectively and only when needed.
• Limited Coverage in Certain Areas: If there are areas within the school with poor network coverage (e.g., basements or remote parts of a building), the mobile panic button’s location tracking feature may be less effective or not function properly in those zones.

Mobile panic buttons stand out as the best option for emergency notifications in schools and districts. They offer a cost-effective, simple, and discreet solution that ensures widespread coverage and quick, accurate responses. With their ability to track locations and signal for help in real-time, mobile panic buttons are currently the most reasonable and effective tool available for improving safety across school campuses.

When it comes to choosing an emergency notification solution, it's important to recognize that each option should be viewed as a tool in a larger toolbox. An effective toolbox includes multiple tools, allowing you to address different situations. In the context of schools and school districts, often operating with limited resources and staffing, selecting a solution that acts as a "force multiplier" is key.

Mobile Panic Buttons are, in my opinion, the most effective solution. These devices empower all staff members, whether teachers, office staff, groundskeepers, or substitutes, to quickly alert others to potential issues or request help when needed. For example, a child at recess who simply scraped their knee might just need an escort to the nurse, but an adult approaching a child at recess in an unsettling way may require a more serious response. By equipping everyone with the ability to call for help, regardless of their role, your school becomes a safer environment, with staff members feeling more confident knowing that assistance is just a button press away.

As for selecting the right manufacturer, here are a few important factors to consider:

1. Integrations: Does the mobile panic button integrate well with other security systems in your school, such as your video management system, access control, intrusion alarms, digital signage, PA systems, or visitor management? A system that integrates seamlessly with these other tools reduces the need to manage multiple separate systems and provides a more cohesive and effective response in emergencies.
2. Aesthetics: Consider the design and appearance of the panic button. A discreet, wearable device—such as a badge worn around the neck—can allow staff to trigger a call for help without drawing unwanted attention. This is especially important when interacting with potentially aggressive individuals, such as an unruly parent. A more obvious device may trigger the exact aggression you're trying to avoid.
3. Visual and Audio Alerts: Look for a solution that includes both visual and audible alerts. Some mobile panic buttons are equipped with strobe lights or sirens, which can be activated in emergency situations. These visual and audio cues help to communicate clearly to students and staff what actions they should take—whether it’s to shelter in place or evacuate. Additionally, some systems have manual pull stations, but these are often prone to being triggered by students. Wearable panic buttons, on the other hand, are typically used by staff and, if necessary, can be activated by students in emergency situations (such as if the staff member falls unconscious), making pull stations less necessary.

Ultimately, the goal is to create an environment where everyone in the school feels secure and has the means to respond quickly to any emergency. Mobile panic buttons stand out as the most reasonable and effective solution, as they provide a practical, cost-efficient, and versatile way for all staff to communicate a need for help. By integrating with other systems, being discreet, and offering clear visual and audible alerts, mobile panic buttons enhance overall school safety and contribute to a more relaxed and responsive environment for both staff and students.

After reviewing various emergency notification technologies, my personal recommendation is Crisis Alert by Centegix. I have no affiliation with the company and receive no benefits from this recommendation, but based on its proven track record, I believe it stands out as the most effective solution among many others. Crisis Alert has been successfully deployed in thousands of schools and has earned a strong reputation as a leader in the field. The system integrates well with other platforms, including those from competing providers, and having witnessed its performance firsthand, I can confidently say it’s the only solution I’d endorse. For more information, please follow the link below to visit their website.