How Do Panic Buttons for Offices Work?

A panic button for offices varies in functionality.  Most often organizations use their current burglar alarm company to provide them with a hard-wired panic button.  These hard-wired panic button alarms are usually inexpensive. It is also easier to create an account since the alarm company is a current vendor.  I refer to these type panic buttons as being very traditional.  Moreover, traditional panic buttons are usually hardwired. Traditional panic buttons generally use a phone line to alert only one responder.  Traditional panic buttons average around three minutes to alert just one responder.  Also, many panic buttons default and fail to alert the responder. There is no way for anyone to know that a notification was received via a traditional panic button.

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

The idea of having a panic button for an office 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-escalate any crisis, which lowers the opportunity for victimization.  The significant time delay of the traditional panic buttons is the reason why they are rapidly becoming discounted. Law enforcement personnel sometimes consider traditional panic buttons for offices ineffective.

Why are Traditional Panic Buttons a Mistake?

With fifteen years as a first responder, I responded to several panic button for offices alarm calls. With a rapid response, the incident had already occurred because of the delayed notification of several minutes.  Tthe panic alarm also failed to give us any information about the situation, along with a delayed notification.  Furthermore, many of the panic buttons for offices were activated accidentally, and no one knew what button the alert originated. Law enforcement personnel consider notifications from traditional panic buttons for offices as high-priority; however, the delayed notification time on the ones that work proved to be ineffective for a rapid response.

Does Technology Offer Solutions for Office Panic Buttons?

Yes!  Technology has caught up and revolutionized the way people respond to situations.  The increase in global in domestic terrorism creates a clear and imminent need to have panic buttons for offices.  People believe mobile apps are the cure-all for these types of situations. However, an app is not solely the best option.  Think about if there was an emergency. Would you have time to find your phone, open it, and locate the app to raise a panic?  Phone app panic buttons focus more on individuals rather than buildings and people inside.  The key for an effective panic button for offices is to lower the notification time to responders. Internal and external notification integration is a crucial factor as well. Integrating internal and external notification means that it notifies everyone within the office while alerting responders at the same time.

How Much Should I Budget for Office Panic Buttons?

Find a technology-driven office panic button system that offers free system updates. Outdated programs are not useful in this day and age. Technology is always changing just like your business.  Look for a scalable system that meets your exact needs and the cost will always offset.  Surprisingly, the technology-driven office panic buttons are usually priced three to one less than the traditional panic buttons while offering several other innovative features that can easily be molded to your particular needs.

Still Unsure About a Panic Button for Offices?

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

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