Immediate Help in Crisis
The Broward County School District is implementing a new panic button system to provide immediate help in crisis situations, including school shootings. The wearable panic buttons, which resemble ID badges, will be worn by all teachers and staff around their necks.
How the System Works
The panic buttons can be pressed three times to notify the front office of an urgent medical situation, such as a student with a medical condition. Pressing the button eight times or more will trigger an emergency lockdown and alert law enforcement of a school shooting or other emergency.
Training and Compatibility
District staff will be trained on how to use the panic buttons at the start of the new school year. The buttons will only operate in areas where visual strobes are installed, ensuring that employees are not being tracked.
History and Context
The panic button system is a response to Alyssa’s Law, passed in 2020 in response to the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The law is named after Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old student who was killed in the shooting. Alhadeff’s mother, Lori Alhadeff, is a Broward School Board member who has been a leading advocate for the law.
Challenges and Concerns
In the past, the district had implemented a mobile app panic button system, but many employees did not download the app onto their personal phones. This was due to concerns about privacy and tracking.
Benefits and Compatibility
The wearable panic button system has already been used in several other school districts in Florida, including Duval, Hillsborough, Lee, Palm Beach, and Volusia counties. The system is compatible with the existing SaferWatch app, which will still be maintained by the district.
Conclusion
The panic button system is an additional layer of safety for Broward County School District employees and students. With real-time location tracking and emergency alerts, the system will provide immediate help in crisis situations. The wearable buttons are an effective and easy-to-use solution that will provide peace of mind for everyone in the district.
FAQs
Q: What is the panic button system?
A: The panic button system is a wearable device that can be pressed to alert law enforcement and district administrators of a crisis situation.
Q: How does the system work?
A: The panic button can be pressed three times to notify the front office of an urgent medical situation or eight times or more to trigger an emergency lockdown and alert law enforcement.
Q: Why did the district switch from the mobile app panic button system?
A: The district switched to the wearable panic button system due to concerns about employee privacy and the fact that many employees did not download the app onto their personal phones.
Q: Is the system compatible with the existing SaferWatch app?
A: Yes, the wearable panic button system is compatible with the existing SaferWatch app, which will still be maintained by the district.
Q: Has the system been used before?
A: Yes, the panic button system has already been used in several other school districts in Florida, including Duval, Hillsborough, Lee, Palm Beach, and Volusia counties.
