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.

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