School Safety: Overcoming Communication Challenges with Emergency Solutions

Creating an emergency preparedness plan has become standard practice across a variety of industries and institutions. In recent years, education systems have joined the mix, adapting crisis strategies and tightening security to maintain the safety of their students, faculty, and staff. Many have increased awareness of practical safety protocols and educated their communities on how to effectively respond to emergency situations.

Brainstorming and planning is one thing—implementing these solutions is another.

Preparedness is critical—when an emergency arises, there won’t be time to double-check a strategy or test-drive the functionality of a communication system. If and when an emergency unfolds, every second counts toward preventing further disaster and preserving peace and safety among the community.

If you’re part of the Massachusetts education industry, take a moment to evaluate your school’s emergency preparedness. Do you have a response strategy in place? If so, have you ensured that it is time sensitive, reliable, and accessible? Further, is it adaptable to different types of emergency situations? Plenty of institutions understand what they could be doing to enhance the security and safety of their campus, but few know how to effectively implement their ideas.

Communication solutions for schools are more precise and practical than ever before. That’s because they’re specially designed to overcome challenges that are commonly reported among schools: poor access points, lack of interoperability, and the inability to directly contact emergency responders.

Poor Access Points and Zero Coverage

Connectivity issues are all too familiar within the halls of schools built long ago. A few feet can make the difference between seamless cellular coverage and a dropped call. Why? Concrete, steel, and other impediments hidden within the walls, floors, and foundations of dated buildings commonly disrupt cellular connectivity—or prevent it altogether.

Even in modern buildings, coverage issues persist. This can be the result of an environment with a spotty connection, such as a mountainous region, or the fault of an outdated cellular or radio model. No matter what the cause, everyday communication can be harshly interrupted by an unreliable system—which more than complicates matters during an emergency.

While you may not be able to eliminate the source of your coverage issues (we certainly wouldn’t suggest that you bulldoze your building), you can counter the negative effects with an updated, dedicated communication setup. Modernized radio solutions allow for uninterrupted, crystal-clear audio communication with optional text-messaging abilities and dependable transmission.

As of 2017, 30% of schools were using two-way radios as their main source of communication. That percentage is well on the rise as more campuses are recognizing the power of the uninterrupted coverage, high audio quality, and long battery life provided by Motorola digital technology. Consider acquiring a dedicated two-way radio system for your internal communication needs.

Interoperability

The textbook definition of interoperability is “the ability of computer systems or software to exchange and make use of information.” In the context of two-way communications, interoperability refers to the potential of a communication system to connect with external radio systems. Enabling interoperability can prove more than useful for schools.

For example, consider a circumstance where a young athlete is seriously injured during an after-school practice. The student’s coach, equipped with a two-way radio, contacts the main office representative and requests that a call be made to emergency services. The main office representative then calls 9-1-1, relays the information, and awaits assistance.

Interoperability eliminates the “middle man” from this chain of communication, which can shave minutes off of a time-sensitive scenario. Rather than being limited to just internal contacts within the school, the coach could have directly contacted emergency services via his radio from the field. Patching your two-way radios to allow for this feature is as simple as it is practical—contact us to learn how.

Contacting Emergency Responders with FirstNet

In the unlikely event of disaster, superintendents and supervisors should have access to a direct line of communication with emergency responders. 

When an emergency affects the community on a grand scale, typical lines of communication to police officers, firefighters, and medics can become congested. A dedicated public safety broadband network bypasses any obstacles and gets messages from the site of the incident to the appropriate responders without delay.

This is the essence of FirstNet: A nationwide, broadband network that connects first responders to a direct line of communication with representatives at “threat potential” industries. In recent years, its services have branched out to include healthcare and educational institutions, allowing school boards, mayors, and superintendents to use its dedicated system when needed.

The advanced communication and collaboration technologies of FirstNet benefit first responders as much as the communities they serve, as the system allows for people in emergency situations to relay uninterrupted, real-time updates and data. In turn, response efforts are more efficient, safer, and less prone to the panic that uncoordinated communication would cause.

More Solutions for Schools

Is there a communication issue your school is facing that wasn’t covered above?

CyberComm is certified and eligible to connect schools with FirstNet services, Motorola two-way radios, and school-specific communication solutions. We proudly serve the Boston metropolitan area including Woburn and Bridgewater, Massachusetts, as well as Warwick, Rhode Island. Contact us to learn more and connect with one of our specialists.