Simplify Emergency Communications from School Districts to Classrooms
Security and effective communications for K-12 schools is critical for all school systems. Schools need technology that can simplify this complex issue, create immediate emergency communication channels for administrators, staff, students, and visitors. School’s communication systems should be efficient for all school buildings, even those that are not staffed 24/7, cover large geographic areas, and during times when cellular networks are at their limits.
The Alertus System is one such tool for K-12 schools. There is no need to update your equipment or purchase equipment specific to Alertus, as this system utilizes your existing communication equipment to provide comprehensive emergency notification.
There are multiple options to choose from when setting up your emergency notification system. Will you need a district-wide or school-based notification system? Which communication devices will you want to integrate, such as computers, public address systems, and sounders and strobes? Can your local emergency services interact with the system – receiving and posting emergency notices?
Emergency Alert Grants/Donations for Schools
Some emergency communication systems offer special pricing for school systems. Alertus has a grant application for K-12 schools, colleges, universities and certain nonprofits to apply for their Desktop Donation Initiative. This initiative assists schools with severe budget challenges to address emergency communications. Recipients of the grant receive a perpetual license of Alertus Desktop Notification including the software, activation console, and unlimited utilization of notification on desktops and laptops throughout the school’s facilities. For more information, or to apply, check out Alertus.com/donation.
District-Wide or School-Based Notification
District-wide notification allows individual schools to communicate with the district office, local police and fire stations. K-12 schools can mount notification devices in the front offices, enabling administrators to respond to threats during a crisis. You can also tie in school’s existing voice public address system, enabling school administrators to share critical alert information to select schools or district wide.
School-based notification provides panic buttons within classrooms that communicate emergencies to other staff, the front office, or police/first responders. These panic buttons can also trigger a preset message over the school’s public address system, alerting everyone of an immediate lockdown during a safety incident.
Integrating Existing Systems to your Emergency Alert System
Each school will have existing systems in place, adding an emergency alert system should not mean costly upgrades or new equipment purchases. The Alertus System can be connected to desktops throughout your school’s facilities to provide on-screen notifications during an emergency. In addition, you can tie in the Alertus system with your public address system or outdoor notification system, fire alarm panel, digital signage, cable TV, and access control system as long as they utilize the CAP, Common Alert Protocol.
Connect your Local Emergency Services with your Emergency Alert System
Consider having your emergency notification system connected to your local dispatch for emergency responders. Some systems can automatically notify dispatch of emergency situations so that help can be sent right away. If you prefer not to have dispatch connected to your system, see if your system can store public safety numbers for easy access during an emergency.
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