Georgia School Tests ID Badge Crisis Alert Program

Georgia School Tests ID Badge Crisis Alert Program

A new crisis notification technology is being implemented in a pilot program at Roan School in Dalton, Ga.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • May 20, 2019

A new crisis notification technology is being implemented in a pilot program at Roan School in Dalton, Ga.

Centegix chose to install the technology at Roan School for free, because they needed to test the crisis alert system in a two-story building.

Security is a priority for the Roan School, and the students and staff practice safety drills monthly, according to Principal Cindy Parrott.

“You hope nothing ever comes of it, but it’s necessary,” Parrott said.

The Centegix technology uses ID badges to alert staff of emergency situations, according to Stuart Davis, Dalton Schools Director of Technology.

"This badge actually attaches to the Centegix badge,” he said.

In an emergency, teachers can press a button on their ID badge three times to alert other staff members of the incident via smartphone. The notification includes the location of the emergency.

"It's very easy for the teachers and students to know what's going on," Davis said.

If there is a serious emergency, such as an armed intruder, staff can press the ID badge button seven or more times to send the entire school into an automatic lockdown procedure.

"When that happens an alert comes over the intercom, it will give directions for what to do during a lockdown," Davis said.

As part of their security procedures, Roan School has also added security cameras, intruder locks on classroom doors and restricted access from the lobby to the rest of the campus.

"Safety and security is always at the forefront of our minds," Davis said.

If district officials decide to implement this system in schools throughout the district, it will cost about $250,000, Davis said.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Door Hardware and Campus Security: Enhancing Safety in Schools

    The importance of investing in school safety cannot be overstated, but knowing where to start implementation of school safety features can be a challenge. A recent survey by the National Center on Education Statistics found that a quarter of U.S. public schools have classrooms with doors that can't be locked from the inside. Even among schools with doors that do lock, recent legislation reflects a common misconception that simply keeping the doors locked all day will eliminate the potential for an attack, in direct violation of PASS (Partner Alliance for Safer Schools) Guidelines. Read Now

  • Brigham Young University Strengthens Campus Security With Genetec Operations Center

    Genetec Inc, a provider of enterprise physical security software, announced that Brigham Young University's (BYU) has optimized its security operations with the Genetec™ Operations Center work management system. Read Now

  • AI-based Risk Mitigation: The Next Advancement in Video Surveillance and Public Safety

    Safety is at the forefront of every organization and covers a gamut of scenarios, not just weapon-fueled lethal threats. It also includes smaller-scale and everyday situations like slipping hazards, fallen persons, unauthorized vehicles, and more. These issues cause disruptions in daily operations and cost companies and facilities money and downtime, so a fully realized security plan must involve actions that facility personnel should take once a hazard of any size occurs. Informing everyone that a hazard exists, where it’s located, and what actions to take is imperative for maintaining personal safety. Read Now

  • Fort Worth ISD Strengthens Event Safety

    The issue of concealed weapons being introduced into school extracurricular activities, including sporting events and graduations, became a growing concern in communities across the nation. According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, there were at least 202 incidents of gunfire on school grounds in 2024 across the United States, resulting in 56 deaths and 147 injuries, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols. Read Now

Most   Popular