School safety is paramount for the children who attend every day. The threat of violence in schools is very real. According to every town for Gun Safety, there have been a total of 220 shootings on school campuses since the Sandy Hook Elementary mass shooting on December 14, 2012. The statistic holds accurate as of April 11, 2017. That number also includes incidents that did not target students or teachers, such as accidental firings or suicides. An emergency response plan for schools, along with a panic button from CRS Notify, is something much-needed to keep schools from becoming another statistic.

What is an Emergency Response Plan for Schools?

An emergency response plan for schools focuses on the main events that could have a severe impact on the quality of life for you and your staff. An emergency response plan for a school should be simple and to the point. The most significant thing that can be accomplished by an emergency response plan for a school is giving your staff a proactive way to respond to a reactive crisis. People always go back to the way they were trained in high-stress situations. Not being prepared could result in an unneeded panic that leads to a sizable increase in the potential for an injury.

What Kind of Objectives Should an Emergency Response Plan for a School Follow?

1. The program should be organized and accurate for a variety of possible emergencies.
2. This plan should provide for the safety of all students, teachers, staff, etc.
3. This program should include the use of an emergency alert system with the means of communication during an emergency.
4. The program should also seek to decrease liability that may develop during a crisis.
5. This program should focus on proactive measures, rather than reactive.
6. This program should help staff members, patrons, and other team members in identifying and responding to potential threats and emergency situations.

A panic button from CRS Notify is an excellent supplement to any emergency response plan for schools. In an emergency, it cuts down on the middleman by getting directly in contact with authorities when moments matter the most. The time saved in a crisis is critical for getting everyone out of harm’s way.

What is the Main Reason to Have Panic Buttons for Schools?

The idea behind having panic button systems for schools is to lower the time between the onset of an incident and when responders are on the scene. The goal is to notify responders rapidly. This allows for quick de-escalation any crisis, which lowers the opportunity of victimization. The significant time delay of the traditional panic buttons is the reason why they are rapidly becoming discounted and ruled ineffective by responders.

What are the Three Reasons Why USB Panic Buttons are Better than Traditional Panic Buttons for Schools?

1. Flexibility– Traditional panic buttons commonly offered through alarm companies require hard wiring into your phone line. Moving the panic button would cause an alarm companies representative to move the buttons at your cost. Relocating the panic button can be very costly. The USB panic button is easy to install and move from computer to computer. Unplug the USB panic button from one computer and plug it into another computer, It is that simple.
2. Rapid Notification– Unlike traditional panic buttons, the USB panic button commonly operates with a software program installed on the computer and uses the power of the internet. Traditional panic buttons can take over two minutes to alert just one type of responder. In contrast, USB panic buttons using the internet can instantaneously alert both internal and external responders.
3. Alerting Methods– Unlike traditional panic buttons, USB panic buttons have multiple ways to alert many responders. Traditional panic buttons only alert one responder to an emergency. USB Panic buttons can simultaneously alert many responders and staff using various methods, including but not limited to, automated voice calls, text messages, phone apps, emails, and computers. USB panic buttons merge all alerting needs into one button for a prepared response.

How Do You Focus on an Emergency Response Plan?

When developing your emergency response plan, concentrate on identifying simple solutions to empower your staff’s options in an actual crisis. Focus on a program that will increase workers risk awareness, avoidance, and response timing. The key is to prepare staff with options that they could use in any crisis. An emergency response plan is not just about one main safety precaution. It is, in fact, an accumulation of several different types of safety and security measures.  The “run, fight, or hide” is maybe the most efficient method to use for any kind of business. The run, hide, or fight technique is perfect for a lock-down situation or active shooter scenario. Incorporating a surveillance camera system and a panic button program also adds a much-needed layer to your companies security initiatives.

Furthermore, local police departments, fire/rescue departments, and numerous military bases offer an active crisis training class to businesses and civilians. Moreover, everyone should take advantage of these classes. This training could determine the outcome of any given crisis. Employees that have the proper tools and training to react in an emergency are much more likely to survive the situation and save other lives in the process.

Still Unsure About a Panic Alarm System?

Contact us for more information to make the best decision for your panic button system.

info@communityresponsesystems.com or 800-533-7201 M-F 8-5 pm CST