All-Encompassing Crisis Systems to Improve School Safety

  • Crisis communications include everything from the initial reports to the recovery.
  • Secure and refurbished buildings are the first systems for maintaining safe schools.
  • Schools can be a hub in the aftermath of natural disasters.

As far as public safety, schools must consider a multi-layered approach to crisis communications. Adam Coughran refers to crisis communications as the systems in place to support a school or public space from start to recovery during an emergency. “First, how is our emergency going to be recorded?” asks Coughran. The first stage is the initial reports of the crisis. The second phase includes spreading the word into a local network about where and what type of emergency.

Coughran urges schools to have backups and redundancies in their crisis systems. “Upgrading things like camera and door locks, don’t forget that in the communications realm, there are just as many layers,” he said. Multiple communication layers ensure that there are fail-safes in place and that no one is prone to danger due to a lack of information.

A Dangerous Game of Telephone: From Alert Buttons to Apps

Crisis communications can involve internal communication systems, app notifications, walky-talkies, in-classroom phones, panic buttons, or alert buttons. The issue occurs when user errors arise. If a school has an app set up, but users must sign in every 30 days, the emergency notification may not deliver. Panic buttons are great, but if the individual cannot get to the alert button.

“While these applications are a component of emergency communications, we want to think about the other ways to communicate,” said Coughran. Again, redundancies are essential. According to West Virginia Metro News, local regulations require schools to have up-to-date crisis plans. “West Virginia’s new plan is to establish a mobile app that specifically allows students, staff, and members of the community to report suspicious activity before a tragedy occurs.”

Buildings with Modern Safety Measures and Climate Change Preparations

The recent investigation into the slow response to the Uvalde School Shooting has taught educators vital lessons, according to Education Week. The aftermath has shown that the shooting was made possible by dated locks and poorly regulated protocols. “Federal data show that the average U.S. school building was constructed in the 1960s before architects focused on modern active shooter concerns in their designs.” Nearly half of schools across the US need serious building system renovations. Unfortunately, spending on schools is below pre-recession levels.

Investing in school structures would also help the community in the aftermath of natural disasters. Stephanie Hughes reported for MarketPlace that some schools are considering how to be better prepared for natural disasters. Her report included investing in alternative energy for schools like wind and solar, in case a weather emergency destroys power in the surrounding areas. “Many communities have a school… so it makes sense to invest in them as hubs as the climate continues to change.” Forward-thinking strategies will help poise communities to respond better during future disasters.

Conclusion

From recent tragedies, we understand that schools need multi-faceted and layered approaches to ensure safety. The framework of the buildings, updated locks, and secure entrances may deter trespassers meaning harm. Using updated technology can provide a safe harbor for its surrounding community after natural disasters. And most importantly, crisis communications must have multiple outlets, from the first report to recovery messages. Multi-layered communication ensures that all stakeholders receive vital information promptly.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

sustainable transformation
The Path to Sustainable Transformation Is Rooted in Strategy, Execution and Reflection
November 1, 2024

Many strive for change, yet achieving and sustaining it is a complex journey. As people chase higher goals, often in career, personal growth, or relationships, the need to reevaluate approaches to sustainable transformation becomes apparent. Research suggests that nearly 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by mid-February, indicating a need for sustainable systems, not…

Read More
cloud-based solutions
C3 Cloud-Based Solutions Delivers Real-Time Transparency, Driver Coordination, and Simulation Tools for a Resilient Supply Chain
October 31, 2024

The logistics industry faces constant challenges as the need for efficient, cloud-based solutions intensifies. Many warehouses continue to operate manually; up to 53% of employee time is spent on non-value-adding tasks like walking and searching for items, according to industry studies. This manual approach not only hampers efficiency but leads to significant delays, errors,…

Read More
personalized solutions
Personalized Solutions Through Data Are the Future of Aligning Healthcare Staff Needs with Patient Outcomes
October 31, 2024

The healthcare industry faces unprecedented challenges, with workforce shortages pushing hospital labor costs to over 60% of total expenses. This strain is compounded by rising burnout rates among healthcare providers, particularly nurses. A recent AMN Healthcare survey revealed that nurses are prioritizing well-being and flexibility in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for personalized solutions…

Read More
Transforming Education: Connected Education Kits for Rural Markets
Transforming Education: Connected Education Kits for Rural Markets
October 31, 2024

In the latest episode of The Edge and Beyond podcast, Michelle Dawn Mooney dives into the transformative role of technology in education, highlighting Intel’s Connected Education Kits. Developed in partnership with ApplianSys, these kits are designed to bring quality digital learning to underserved and remote communities. The discussion explores how these kits are a game-changer…

Read More