Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) announced it is implementing a new emergency management system in all school buildings. The system “is designed to support faster, more coordinated responses during emergencies by improving communication between schools, FCPS security staff, and local first responders and law enforcement,” FCPS said in a news post.
The Raptor Technologies system includes sensors installed throughout FCPS schools. Staff members will also be provided wearable Emergency Response Buttons (ERBs). They can use these buttons “to quickly and discreetly request help.”
When a staff member activates an ERB on school property, it will alert the FCPS Security Operations Center, local emergency services, and school staff. The sensors help pinpoint where assistance is needed within a building.
However, FCPS said the system does not replace calling 911. It is meant to serve as “an additional safety tool that staff can use if a phone is not immediately available or if calling may not be safe or practical.”
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