Michigan Schools Expand Access to Emergency Panic Badges
State funding and pending legislation drive rapid adoption of wearable emergency response technology across public school districts.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- October 23, 2026
School districts across Michigan are accelerating investments in rapid emergency response technology, leveraging state grant funding to shorten response times during medical and safety incidents.
Adoption of CENTEGIX wearable emergency response systems in Michigan facilities has expanded significantly since 2022. The surge comes as state lawmakers consider Alyssa's Law, proposed legislation that would require silent panic alarms inside public school buildings.
While the bill moves through the Legislature, districts are funding upgrades through Section 31aa of the State School Aid Act. The initiative provides per-pupil grants that administrators can apply directly toward emergency preparedness, infrastructure and crisis communication systems.
District administrators report that wearable panic systems allow staff to send localized alerts without access to a wall phone or two-way radio.
During the first week of implementation at Forest Hills Public Schools, staff activated wearable alert badges seven times, with six activations tied to medical emergencies. Emergency personnel and school resource officers reached a student experiencing a seizure in less than one minute.
At Rochester Community Schools, which oversees 22 facilities serving 15,000 students, officials integrated the technology following a safety assessment. Administrators cited the system's ability to streamline responses to behavioral and medical situations while maintaining confidentiality.
Safety experts recommend that district leaders evaluating grant-funded security investments conduct facility assessments, form safety committees and consult neighboring districts to build crisis response strategies.