Top Physical Security Tech Solutions to Safeguard Your Campus

WSI Comandix on November 1, 2024

How do you go about creating a safer school environment for your learning community? It’s certainly about more than a set of locks or a camera here and there. It’s far more complex and strategic than the individual solutions or assets themselves.

That’s why at Eastern DataComm, we encourage our customers to think in terms of a ‘School Safety Ecosystem’ (SSE), where policies, procedures, training, and technology work hand in hand.

When these pieces come together, they best safeguard your campus and create a district-wide culture of emergency preparedness that ensures students, staff, and guests know what to do and when. By understanding how each piece fits into the larger picture, schools can build a robust framework that prioritizes safety for everyone.

Checklist for School Safety Solutions

How to Improve Campus Security and Safety Through a Strategic Ecosystem

Improving campus security and safety starts with taking a proactive, comprehensive approach. It’s not just about individual pieces of hardware—it’s about how all your systems and protocols work together to keep everyone on campus safe.

A strategic School Safety Ecosystem brings together emergency communication systems, physical security measures, and training procedures into one cohesive plan. By adopting this ecosystem-based mindset, school administrators and campus security teams can better monitor campus activities, identify potential vulnerabilities, and deploy faster responses in real time.

This holistic approach ensures that your investment in safety technologies, such as access control systems and video surveillance, translates into meaningful, measurable results. Schools that implement comprehensive campus safety plans see improved communication among staff and students and an increased sense of safety throughout the campus environment.

For schools ready to take the next step, our Education Solutions page outlines how we can help tailor safety strategies to your unique environment.

What Is Your School Safety Ecosystem?

The School Safety Ecosystem is a holistic way of thinking about the security of your school community that emphasizes the importance of blending different technologies and strategies. This approach helps schools create a cohesive communications plan. It provides clear notifications and empowers quick responses when emergencies arise.

When we take an ecosystem perspective, we prioritize technology solutions that facilitate fluid communication because we value effectiveness, integration, and efficiency.  Specifically, we value those that suit our individual school-specific needs, those that offer real-time notifications, and those that promote teamwork among everyone involved. User-friendly solutions and those that reduce the chance for human error are of the utmost importance. These are the solutions that make use easy when stress levels are high and every second counts.

Given the rise of violence on campuses and ever-evolving threats to the safety of learning environments, schools need to assess their current systems and identify areas for improvement. The next steps are to review available solutions, like those we’ll share below, and consider how these solutions might address those areas of concern within their own SSE.

Video Surveillance

Video surveillance systems are one of the primary physical security tools to keep campus safe. Their mere presence helps to deter potential threats. Additionally, using these systems assists with resolving issues by monitoring your school’s buildings and grounds 24/7/365.

When you have video surveillance systems in place, you discourage malicious behavior. Additionally, should a crime or other unwanted event occur, you’ll have evidence for corrective action or when legal action is warranted, court proceedings.

On its own, your video surveillance system is an integral part of a School Safety Ecosystem. However, when combined with access control systems and emergency notification systems, it strengthens your ability to respond to emergencies more effectively and efficiently.

Selecting the Right Security Camera System for Your Campus

Choosing the right security camera system is vital for maximizing safety on campus. From elementary schools to sprawling college campuses, a modern surveillance system serves as both a deterrent and a crucial real-time monitoring tool.

Look for video surveillance systems that offer high-resolution footage, wide-area coverage, and integration with access control and alert systems. Cloud-based platforms also allow for remote access, helping school security teams and administrators stay informed—whether they’re in the building or off-site.

When your video surveillance system is scalable and easy to use, it ensures that monitoring doesn’t just become a box to check—but a proactive part of your school’s safety plan. The right surveillance technology not only records incidents but helps prevent them.

Enhancing Video Surveillance Without a Complete Overhaul

As video surveillance and video system security challenges arise, our team continues to work with customers to keep their schools and districts safe while keeping education budgets at the forefront of concerns.

That’s why we partner with industry-leading manufacturers like Verkada, who understand these challenges as well as we do. For example, Verkada’s Command Connector offers an alternative to costly rip-and-replace approaches that require you to start from scratch by leveraging existing camera hardware.

If you’re considering advancing or streamlining your video surveillance system, you can look to the Eastern DataComm team to help you increase efficiency. Best of all, with over 35 years of experience, we respect your budgetary guidelines so that the solution you choose addresses your most critical needs.

Environmental Sensors

Environmental sensors are technology tools that monitor a variety of conditions in the school environment. They track a myriad of conditions like temperature, detect vaping, and monitor air quality in areas like gymnasiums, classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, and cafeterias. These sensors enable you to ensure your students, visitors, and staff are safe and secure. Environmental sensor solutions act as another essential communications tool, providing alerts to school officials to apprise them of potential health and safety risks in real-time.

Integrating environmental sensors with other security technologies gives you a comprehensive picture of your school community. Ultimately, environmental sensors give you a chance to respond more efficiently and proactively to incidents and enhance overall safety.

At Eastern DataComm, Our Environmental Sensors Include Features Like

Safety Risk Monitoring:

  • Tamper detection
  • Temperature and humidity monitoring
  • Motion detection
  • Aggression detection
  • Gunshot detection
  • Occupancy monitoring
  • Noise monitoring

Health Risk Monitoring:

  • Carbon dioxide
  • Temperature and humidity of food and beverages
  • Nitrogen dioxide
  • Air quality index
  • Presence of particulates
  • TVOC
  • Vape detection
  • THC detection
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Smoking detection
  • Barometric pressure
  • Formaldehyde level

Leverage environmental sensors to support your entire school community’s safety and well-being.

Access Control Systems

Access control systems are essential in managing who enters school facilities. By controlling access points, schools can prevent unauthorized entry and ensure that only approved people have access to specific areas.

These systems enhance security during emergencies. Access control solutions help set clear visitor protocols. Implementing modern access control solutions allows schools to create a safe environment that meets their unique needs.

Access control systems can be customized to support different zones within a school campus. For instance, administrative offices may require tighter restrictions than public gymnasiums or auditoriums. By setting tiered access protocols, schools can manage high-traffic areas while safeguarding sensitive spaces. This zoned approach allows school security personnel to respond more efficiently, ensuring that all access points throughout the campus are secure and monitored based on risk level.

VoIP Phone Systems

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems are vital for communication in today’s schools. They provide clear call quality and work well with other safety technologies. VoIP systems can automate responses, reducing the risk of human error and enabling lockdown or protective emergency procedures at the touch of a button.

It also bears mentioning that recent FCC guidelines mandate certain capabilities for multi-line telephones, so you’ll want to be sure your VoIP system complies with federal regulations as well. To learn more about those guidelines, you can visit this resource that our team has developed on the subject.

The most effective VoIP phone systems allow schools to quickly connect with first responders and send out emergency notifications. With features like 911 compliance and integrated alerts, VoIP systems enhance the overall safety framework you develop within your SSE.

Wired/Wireless Networks and Infrastructure

A reliable communication network is essential for keeping our schools safe. Both wired and wireless systems are part of the core of the school safety ecosystem. Essentially, they form the backbone of the system. Strong infrastructure allows information to flow smoothly. When you have high-quality cabling and strong wireless connections, you’ll have the stability your school needs for quick communication.

A strong network supports the technology used within the School Safety Ecosystem. It’s what helps staff respond quickly in emergencies and keeps daily communications running as planned. Wired/wireless network solutions and their infrastructure create a foundation from which a secure environment is built.

Cellular Repeater Solutions

Cellular repeaters have a very important role in the ecosystem. They enhance mobile communication by amplifying cell signals throughout school buildings. Wherever you might find yourself with a bad signal or weak reception, these devices ensure that mobile phones function optimally.

Cellular repeaters aid in the prevention of things like dropped calls and slow data transfers. Simply put, cellular repeaters contribute to the overall reliability of communication systems during emergencies and for day-to-day communications.

Paging Systems, Bell Systems, and Synchronized Clocks

Effective communication is vital during the school day and especially so during emergencies. Paging systems, bell systems, and synchronized clocks ensure that messages are delivered clearly and quickly.

These systems can be integrated with emergency procedures so you can deliver clear instructions during urgent situations, helping to keep everyone informed and safe. Plus the reliability of synchronized systems adds predictability to daily routines, which is crucial in stressful situations.

The Role of Campus Alert Systems in Emergency Preparedness

Campus alert systems play a crucial role in ensuring everyone on campus receives clear, immediate instructions in times of crisis. These systems are not limited to text alerts or mobile notifications; a robust campus alert system uses multiple channels—auditory, visual, and digital—to ensure every person is reached, regardless of their location or role within the campus community.

Effective alert systems help bridge communication gaps during lockdowns, evacuations, and other emergency scenarios. By delivering accurate information in real time, they empower students, faculty, and first responders to act swiftly and safely. Integrating these systems with other security technologies, like video surveillance and access control, enhances your overall campus emergency response framework.

Emergency Notification Systems

Let’s be honest, not all emergency notification systems are created equal. Some rely on a single mobile or smart device application, while others send text messages that might not reach school visitors, substitute teachers, support staff, new student teachers, transfer students, students with disabilities, or brand-new students.

Comprehensive solutions like Eastern DataComm’s LENS (Lockdown and Emergency Notification System) offer rapid response capabilities. With features such as one-button alerts and automated notifications, LENS ensures that all stakeholders are informed during critical events.

The integration of various communication methods—visual, auditory, and mobile—creates a holistic approach to campus safety, ensuring that everyone, from students to emergency personnel, receives timely and accurate information.

A Comprehensive Campus Security Plan: What to Include

Every school should have a comprehensive campus security plan tailored to its unique needs. This plan should include an audit of current physical security systems, detailed emergency procedures, designated safety roles, and a regular schedule for safety drills and training.

In addition to physical security technology like surveillance systems and access control, consider integrating modern communication tools, including campus alert systems and VoIP phones. These tools help ensure continuity in emergency communications and support your school’s daily operations.

A well-rounded plan also incorporates ongoing assessments and improvements. Safety is not a one-time investment—it’s an ongoing commitment to the well-being of everyone on campus.

Safety Starts with a Comprehensive Perspective

Building a strong School Safety Ecosystem involves integrating various technologies. When you combine an understanding of your own school community’s needs and the right strategic use of technology (like those mentioned above), your school can foster a secure environment that prioritizes wellbeing.

This comprehensive approach not only protects students and staff, but also cultivates a culture of preparedness that empowers the entire school community.

Our Team Is Here to Help Yours

At Eastern DataComm, we understand that creating a secure school environment means going beyond basic solutions. Our expert team takes pride in helping educational institutions develop a comprehensive campus security and safety ecosystem—one that integrates the latest in security tech solutions like video surveillance systems, access control systems, and emergency alert systems tailored to your campus’s needs.

We invite you to explore our full suite of Education Safety Services and see how our custom strategies can help you improve campus safety and ensure the security of your students, staff, and visitors. Whether you’re looking to assess your current campus security plan, enhance your surveillance system, or implement cutting-edge communication tools, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Contact us today for a complimentary school safety audit and start building a safer, smarter campus for your entire community. If you haven’t already, be sure to get your copy of our guide, Building a Safer School Ecosystem, here.

5 Ways to Keep Your School Safe from Intruders

WSI Comandix on August 7, 2023

At Eastern DataComm, we’ve covered ways to keep your school safe from intruders in past pieces. In this blog, we’re sharing an updated look at these issues, including five approaches you can take to keep your schools connected and protected. Improve your school’s safety and communications profile by reading along and implementing these recommendations.

#1 Consider Your Whole School Safety Ecosystem

Our Eastern DataComm team is passionate about strategizing and supporting the technology systems that impact the entire school safety ecosystem. And with good reason: A holistic approach to preventing intruders includes a variety of aspects that you may not have initially considered as ‘essential’ to full safety success. The truth is that these facets, from planning, compliance, and protocol development, to practice drills and technology, are interwoven – working in unison to create a safe environment for all. 

Two examples of enhancing your school safety ecosystem include (1) the creation and execution of a school safety plan and (2) the education of students and stakeholders on that plan.

Every school needs an effective safety plan for addressing a host of potential issues, including unwanted intruders, emergencies, and lockdowns resulting from identified threats like active shooter incidents. School safety plans are comprised of a variety of assets, including site assessments, threat assessments, and employee and student training.

Training educators, staff, and students in effective responses to lockdowns and other intruder threats results in a school-wide understanding of the precautionary measures and the in-circumstance behaviors that are needed to save and preserve lives. Simply put: When students and others in the building are aware of how to respond and practice such responses regularly, even if they may be frightened during a real intruder event, they will still be able to take action immediately – out of habit rather than out of panic and confusion. That, in itself, saves lives.

#2: Upgrade Outdated Technology to Enhance Emergency Response

Schools across the country are working diligently to protect students, staff, and educators each day and our team is here to help. 

One of the primary ways we support our clients is to consult with them regularly – offering our insights on advancements in safety and communications technology that can benefit their unique needs. Additionally, we diagnose areas of concern in need of improvement and highlight strengths in their existing systems that can be leveraged for integration with new safety technologies. Let’s explore this example: You’ve just installed a state-of-the-art video surveillance system. But your intercom system produces less-than-optimal function resulting from years or decades of adding on speakers without an overarching strategy behind those additions. After performing a diagnostic review and confirming that your surveillance system is delivering optimal results, our recommendations for improvements focus on removing the limitations of your current intercom solution, which could be best addressed by upgrades to your VoIP and paging systems.

In many cases, learning which outdated technology is in need of an upgrade and then taking corrective action to implement an improved solution is an excellent way to protect your school’s buildings and grounds from intruders. It creates a greater likelihood of swift and effective responses during emergencies. And that’s a step in the right direction you’ll want to make sure you take.

#3: Ensure Telecommunications Devices and Systems Provide Crystal-Clear Communication

In an emergency, every second counts. And muffled voices or unclear phone conversations can mean disaster when an intruder is entering or attempting to enter your buildings or grounds. 

That’s why, at Eastern DataComm, we work with our clients to ensure they’re heard loud and clear when it matters most.

VoIP phone systems are the gold standard for schools and districts in need of clear communication. And with recent legislation requiring phone systems to have certain emergency-related capabilities, it’s more important than ever to consider your voice options.

VoIP systems also provide the opportunity to integrate the phone system with emergency notification systems and other safety technology solutions. And these systems can be customized to meet the needs of your school community in ways that make daily calls and even district-wide communication easier than before.

#4 Look for Ways to Enhance Security in Your Buildings and on Your Grounds

From access control to video surveillance and even paging systems, there are a variety of ways to enhance the overall security of your schools and district. But the important consideration is what makes the most sense for your needs and goals.

For example, video surveillance, when done well, can help to keep an around-the-clock eye on your buildings and grounds. This means you can monitor for intruders and immediately react as needed.

Access control systems allow you to control door locks and equip entryways with an added layer of security against intruders. This also helps make entry in the morning and dismissal less chaotic for visitors, staff, and students.

And, as the community learns of these added layers of protection, the systems you implement become a deterrent to those considering perpetrating unwanted actions.

#5 Remove the Chance for Human Error Wherever Possible with Integrated Technology

Intruder incidents can be terrifying and devastating if not responded to quickly and correctly. That’s why our Eastern DataComm team created an integrated technology system that reduces the chance of human error by ensuring all of your safety and security technology solutions are working together.

The Lockdown and Emergency Notification System and continuous monitoring service (LENS + OPTICS) provides comprehensive message dissemination when every second counts. It integrates with your school’s paging system as well as with your school’s VoIP phone system, lights and signage, access control, and video surveillance systems. The result is a swift and effective response to intruders that can be activated at the push of a button, by entering a code on a phone, or using an app-based initiation from a smart device.

Systems like this greatly reduce the chance of human error or having an emergency message ‘lost in translation’ when stress is high and time is limited. Utilizing this technology increases the chance that everyone in your buildings and on your grounds understands that there is an active threat or urgent situation occurring and can react as policy, procedure, and drill rehearsals have dictated. From LED beacons and signboards to PC pop-up messages, to emails, texts, and automated calls to police, everything is handled fast and efficiently.

Plus, OPTICS, the system self-monitoring technology, ensures that there is always a watchful eye on the components that enable optimal performance of your LENS system. Simply put, OPTICS ensures everything in your LENS system is running as it should be. 

By leveraging these technology solutions to your advantage, you can focus on what needs your attention most during an emergency.

Understanding Compliance: Navigating School Safety Regulations

Adherence to federal and state regulations is crucial for maintaining a secure educational environment. Key legislations such as Kari’s Law, the RAY BAUM’s Act, and Alyssa’s Law have been enacted to enhance emergency response and communication within schools.

Kari’s Law

Enacted in 2018, Kari’s Law mandates that multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) allow users to dial 911 directly without requiring any prefix. This legislation was inspired by a tragic incident where a child was unable to reach emergency services due to such a restriction. Compliance ensures that during emergencies, help is just three digits away.

How This Affects Schools: Schools must ensure their phone systems comply with Kari’s Law to allow direct 911 dialing, particularly in classrooms and administrative offices.

RAY BAUM’s Act

This act requires that any 911 call made from an MLTS provides a “dispatchable location,” ensuring that emergency responders can pinpoint the caller’s exact location within a facility. For schools, this means upgrading systems to transmit specific location details, such as building, floor, and room number, enhancing the efficiency of emergency responses.

How This Affects Schools: Schools need VoIP phone systems capable of transmitting room-level location data to first responders.

Alyssa’s Law

Named in memory of Alyssa Alhadeff, a victim of the Parkland school shooting, this law mandates the installation of silent panic alarms in schools. These alarms provide a direct link to local law enforcement, enabling swift action during critical situations. Implementing such systems not only complies with legal requirements but also significantly reduces response times during emergencies.

How This Affects Schools: Schools should implement panic buttons and automated lockdown systems integrated with emergency notification solutions.

Leveraging Access Control Systems to Prevent Unauthorized Entry

Unauthorized access poses a significant threat to school safety. Implementing robust access control systems is essential to monitor and restrict entry, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access the premises.

Electronic Keycards and Remote Locking Mechanisms

Transitioning from traditional lock-and-key systems to electronic keycards allows schools to monitor entry and exit in real time. Remote locking mechanisms enable administrators to secure all access points instantly during a potential threat, preventing intruders from moving freely within the facility.

Upgrading to electronic keycards allows schools to:

  • Control access remotely
  • Track who enters and exits the building
  • Lock doors instantly during a security threat

Visitor Management Systems

Modern visitor management systems require all guests to sign in and out, often incorporating identification scanning and badge printing. This process not only tracks who is on campus but also deters unauthorized individuals from attempting to enter.

AI and Automation in School Security: The Future of Protection

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation are revolutionizing school security by providing proactive threat detection and response capabilities.

AI-Powered Video Surveillance

Modern surveillance systems equipped with AI can identify unusual activities, such as unauthorized intrusions or suspicious behaviors, and send immediate alerts to security personnel. This real-time analysis enables swift intervention before situations escalate.

AI-powered cameras can:

  • Detect unusual movement or suspicious behavior
  • Recognize unauthorized individuals on campus
  • Send automatic alerts to school administrators

Facial Recognition Technology

Integrating facial recognition with existing security systems allows for the identification of individuals on watchlists or those who have been previously flagged, preventing potential threats from entering school grounds.

Automated Emergency Alerts

Automation ensures that once a threat is detected, predefined protocols are activated without delay. For instance, if an intruder is identified, the system can automatically initiate a lockdown, notify law enforcement, and broadcast alerts to all classrooms simultaneously.

Eastern DataComm’s LENS + OPTICS system integrates:

  • PA announcements
  • Text and email alerts
  • Automated police notifications

The Cost of Inaction: Why Schools Must Invest in Security

While enhancing school security requires financial investment, the cost of inaction can be far greater, both in terms of human lives and financial repercussions.

Financial Implications of Security Breaches

Schools that have experienced security breaches often face expenses ranging from $50,000 to $1 million, covering costs such as legal fees, infrastructure repairs, and crisis management.

Return on Investment (ROI) in Safety Measures

Investing in advanced security technologies not only mitigates potential losses but also fosters a secure learning environment, which is invaluable. Proactive measures can prevent incidents that disrupt education and incur significant costs.

Funding Opportunities

Recognizing the importance of school safety, various federal and state grants are available to assist institutions in implementing necessary security measures. For example, in fiscal year 2023, the COPS Office awarded over $73 million through the School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) for purposes including acquiring technology for the faster notification of law enforcement during emergency situations.

Additional grants are available through the Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, as well as the Department of Homeland Security.

Strengthening Cybersecurity: Protecting Digital & Physical Safety

In today’s digital age, protecting against cyber threats is as crucial as physical security.

Prevalence of Cyber Attacks in Schools

Educational institutions have become prime targets for cybercriminals. Schools face increasing cyber threats, from ransomware attacks to data breaches affecting student records.

Common Vulnerabilities

  • Human Error: A significant number of breaches result from phishing attacks and weak password practices.
  • Phishing Scams: Staff accidentally click on malicious links.
  • Weak Passwords: Inadequate protection of school networks.
  • Outdated Software: Security gaps in old operating systems.

Safer Schools Start Here

Reach out to Eastern DataComm today to schedule a customized School Safety Consultation to keep your learning community connected and protected.

Also Read:

10 Key Steps for Teachers and Administrators to Facilitate A Safe and Secure Lockdown: The 2023 Update

WSI Comandix on June 5, 2023

Our nation continues to witness senseless violence in our schools. It’s more important than ever for administrators, faculty, law enforcement, parents, and guardians to work together to ensure the safety and security of their community’s students.

In an earlier article, our team at Eastern DataComm explored what teachers can do in an emergency lockdown. This piece examined the critical role educators play in the lockdown process. Its key takeaways hold true today: Teachers play an integral role in the success of lockdown responses. And their insight can help everyone responsible for emergency procedures and policy formation to prevent tragedies.

As we continue to work with schools and districts across the country on securing their learning communities during emergencies, we’ve recognized a unique opportunity. Collaboration between educators and administrators working together opens the door to strengthen their emergency response.

Teachers and administrators can create the safest environments possible by following policies, implementing effective procedures, and leveraging robust technology solutions to facilitate seamless communication in emergency events.

This united effort can also leave educators and administrators free of that “If only this had been in place sooner” experience we know all too well in the wake of recent school shootings.

Today, we’re bringing you a set of action steps teachers and administrators can take together to ensure that their learning communities are connected and protected.

Know How and When to Initiate a Lockdown

When a member of your faculty, a staff member, or an administrator identifies an intruder or dangerous circumstance, fast action is imperative.

It’s essential that everyone knows how to properly communicate the emergency situation and who is responsible for initiating a lockdown.

While some schools may require administrative approval to initiate a lockdown, others allow faculty members to do so. In either case, the goal is a swift response with as little human error as possible.

Making it possible to initiate lockdown from a variety of places and devices can facilitate this efficient response. But clarity is key. Leveraging drills and in-service informational sessions focusing on process, protocol and supporting technology lends to having everyone on the same page when a real-life emergency occurs.

Initiate Lockdown Procedures Swiftly

Once an alarm or notification regarding a lockdown is initiated, faculty and staff must act rapidly. They must follow their school’s policies and procedures. (This includes locking external doors and classroom doors, shutting blinds or shades, and turning off classroom lights.)

If your school has an integrated emergency notification system like Eastern DataComm’s Lockdown and Emergency Notification System (LENS + OPTICS), once a lockdown is activated, a call to emergency services will be automatically initiated.

If not, administrators must reach out to emergency services as fast as possible. This introduces the potential for human error, messages being lost in translation, and the possibility of reduced response time as a result. For this reason, we cannot stress enough the importance of leveraging technology to improve rapidity of emergency response.

Respond to a Lockdown When Class Is Held Outside 

While responding to the initiated lockdown may be second nature for students, faculty, staff, and administrators after rehearsal drills, there are certain considerations that many schools face when designing their policies and procedures. 

Let’s explore this example: Classes that are held outdoors or on a sprawling campus. From a poetry lesson in the fresh air to an art lesson on landscapes and of course physical education classes, there are a variety of reasons teachers might bring their students outside. In the event of an emergency, it is imperative that everyone understands how to return to the nearest safety zone – be that within a school building or a designated off-campus location to which these classes can evacuate.  

Plan for Other Unique Lockdown Circumstances  

Part of the administration’s role is to provide teachers and staff with a thorough understanding of policy and procedures, especially those for unique or unforeseen situations.

For example: What is your procedure if a student is outside of the classroom, in an unsecured area like a hallway or bathroom, when a lockdown commences?

When a teacher finds a student outside of a classroom, most school policies indicate they cannot let them into one since windows and doors must stay locked. Instead, they instruct the student to another safe location away from potential threats or intruders. 

Planning for these incidents as a faculty and administration team will improve your response should such an event occur on your campus.

Establish Order within the Classroom Setting During a Lockdown

Once a teacher’s classroom is locked down, student headcounts and roll can be taken. Should students be missing during this process, notification using your school’s technology solutions is essential. Be sure you understand your school’s procedure for dealing with missing students during a lockdown. 

While it can be a source of worry for you as an educator, you’re doing all you can to protect that child when you make a notification of the fact that they are missing. And the technology that supports that process can help set your mind at ease once the child is accounted for.

Maintain Calm in a Secured Classroom throughout a Lockdown

Once students are counted and in their secured lockdown locations, it can also be helpful to remind students throughout the year that they are not to open the door for anyone during a lockdown. 

It can also be helpful to get students familiar with an acceptable quiet activity (that does not involve technology) such as reading to ease tension and nerves. It bears mentioning that some lockdowns can last hours and, depending on the school’s policy, having access to water, snacks, and other essentials may be helpful as well.

This can support students by giving them something to focus on while they can still be attentive to announcements relating to the emergency notification.

End a Lockdown Properly

When a lockdown concludes, principals and emergency responders will provide an official notification. This prevents all involved from moving out of lockdown positions too soon and jeopardizing the safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors. 

Official notification is also a signal to teachers to have students return to their classrooms. Doors can be unlocked and lights turned back on. The process of settling into a classroom may take a few moments and talking students through the event and what’s next can help to quell nervousness and anxiety. If the event took place during the school day, teachers can help students get moving to their next class or begin the next lesson as a way to reset for the remainder of the school day. And of course, If the school day is done, teachers can instruct students to prepare for dismissal. 

Share in the Process of Post-Lockdown Notification

Each member of the faculty, staff, and administration plays an integral role in the dissemination of post-lockdown notifications. Whether the event was a drill or a true emergency, school leaders and teachers are tasked with letting parents and guardians know of the end of said lockdown. (This is especially important in the event that a lockdown exceeds the length of the school day, delaying buses and pick-up lines in the process.)

And don’t be surprised if concerned parents and guardians reach out for more information on how you navigate lockdowns and how their child handled the experience. 

This is part of helping a child to understand and properly process the experience. Because drill or not, the bodily reactions and emotions that arise are often challenging for children regardless of their age. Sensitivity, concern, and understanding expressed by the adults they look to for guidance can help students navigate what can be an emotionally charged and often fear-inducing situation. 

Understand Your School’s Policies and Procedures for Lockdowns and How They Contribute to an Effective School Safety Ecosystem

Each year, faculty gather on a regular basis for in-service days, meetings, and other development opportunities. At these times, often discussions center around issues related to student success, well-being, and safety. 

When your school faculty gathers with administrators to discuss lockdowns and emergency response, this becomes an opportunity for collaboration and solitude. Encourage questions to be asked that when answered, there is a clear understanding of the policies and procedures you’ll follow, and the technology that supports those procedures.

At Eastern DataComm, we know that you value your safety and the safety of those entrusted to your care. We highlight this point to emphasize how important it is to continue to clarify and enhance your understanding of how your school leaders do the same.

Utilize Your School’s Emergency Notification And Response Technology to Stay Safe

When your school integrates its technology solutions, your school safety ecosystem is more comprehensive, robust, and secure. This often includes using apps for emergency notification aligned with digital signage, bells, LED beacons, and automated PA announcements. It may also include the ability to initiate lockdowns from a variety of devices from panic buttons to classroom phones to phone apps.

When you understand how your school’s technology solutions keep you connected and protected, you further empower your community to remain safe even in the presence of a threat like an active shooter. 

Share Your Feedback with Administrators and School Officials

Whether it’s identifying a cafeteria surveillance camera blind spot or a gym door that’s often left open, you, as a teacher, have a unique vantage point into the habits of and paths traversed by your students.

Sharing your feedback after practice drills or actual emergencies is immensely impactful. As an educator, you are the boots on the ground during these events. Your insight can help in refining school emergency policies, procedures, and even potentially vital technology improvements that will support those procedures.

And a collaborative administration will welcome that feedback as it helps them secure their buildings and grounds!

How to Help Make Your School Safer

If you’re a teacher looking to make your school a safer place, we encourage you to share this resource with your administration. 

And if you’re an administrator, we’d love to connect with you to explore technology solutions that augment your emergency operations plans.

Reach out to Eastern DataComm today to schedule a customized School Safety Consultation to keep your community connected and protected.

School Safety Lessons Learned from the 2022–2023 School Year

WSI Comandix on May 5, 2023

While school shooting tragedies continue to flood the headlines of our local and national news outlets (with 16 school shootings this year alone), district stakeholders are doing what they can to prevent such incidents from occurring in their own school communities.

And if you find yourself among those committed to making their school communities safer, we want you to know this: You are not alone in your efforts.

As the school year draws to a close, our team is taking a look back at the school safety and communications lessons we’ve learned. We encourage you to read through the insights we’ve shared below as actionable lessons to help improve your safety profile.

… because when it comes to school safety, we’re all in this together.

Lesson #1: There Are Lessons to Learn and Common Challenges to Tackle as School Leaders

In the wake of tragedy, what can we really stand to learn from incidents like the one in Uvalde, Texas?

That question is a meaningful one. And our team explored these lessons learned from Uvalde in our seminar, Deconstructing Uvalde: Leveraging Technology for Safer Schools this spring. We reviewed the key takeaways from that series further in a recent blog which you’ll find here.

At Eastern DataComm, we believe that these key learnings can inform schools and districts across the country to enhance the ways they stay connected and protected during an emergency.

If you find after reading these articles that you’re interested in exploring how best to leverage technology to keep your school safe, connect with us. Our diagnostic and consultative approach to school safety and communications technology allows us to tailor solutions to meet the needs of your unique school community.

Lesson #2: Reliance on Apps Alone Is Not Enough to Keep Your School Safe and Secure

This year has shed light on how sole reliance on app-only solutions is simply not sufficient when it comes to emergency notification and response. Though they are one piece of the puzzle, they do not complete the full school safety picture when used in isolation.

In addition to ensuring your campus grounds and buildings benefit from total coverage, it’s vital to create a school safety ecosystem that provides a variety of notifications to address the needs of your school staff, students, parents, and visitors. From enabling substitutes to have a way to receive lockdown notifications to ensuring that students with hearing impairments can receive emergency notifications visually through lights and sign boards, there are so many ways to enhance your school’s ability to respond comprehensively when every moment counts.

This year, in addition to our blog detailing the pitfalls of app-only solutions, we also hosted a webinar called “Why Apps Are Not Enough: How Holistic, Comprehensive Approaches to School Safety Save Lives”, which you can find on our Webinar page here.

The bottom line when it comes to app-only approaches is this: Their shortcomings can be addressed by leveraging other technology solutions working in unison that ensure everyone gets the message and can respond accordingly during an emergency situation.

Lesson #3: Access Control and Video Surveillance Are Vital to School Safety and Security

From controlling who enters your building with access control systems to keeping an eye on your buildings and grounds with video surveillance, there are several noteworthy security technologies that you can use to secure your district or school.

The right access control system can make all the difference, and the same is true of the right video surveillance solution.

And as the next school year draws closer, it may be time for you and your district stakeholders to consider adding these technologies to your school’s safety ecosystem or upgrading existing systems so they’re as effective as possible.

Why focus on these two systems?

Well, aside from their individual benefits, it’s worth noting that these two solutions work together to show where an active threat is located. This empowers law enforcement to be prepared and to respond effectively in the most dire circumstances. You can also integrate these systems with your federally compliant multi-line VoIP phone systems to ensure speedy communication with first responders and emergency services. This is just one more way to take your safety and physical security profile to the next level.

Lesson #4: Don’t Forget That Money to Support Your School’s Safety Is Available

According to Campus Safety Magazine, there is a push for legislation that would increase school safety and security funding. And in the meantime, there are a variety of federal grant programs with open applications.

In fact, Eastern Datacomm shared the details on a number of them earlier this year in one of our recent blogs.

So, if budgetary restrictions are holding you back from making investments to improve your school safety ecosystem, be sure to check out the potential grant opportunities and reach out to our team if you have any questions as you move forward.

Lesson #5: Integration and Technology Systems Working in Unison Are the Future of School Safety and Security

Given all that we’ve learned this school year, it’s very appropriate to spend a moment exploring the benefits of a comprehensive, integrated solution for your emergency notification solution needs.

Our Lockdown and Emergency Notification System and continuous monitoring service, LENS + OPTICS, can augment communications and enhance safety during an emergency. In fact, this solution brings together VoIP phone systems, paging systems, bells and clocks, signboards, and video surveillance to remove the chance for human error and increase your ability to respond quickly and effectively when it matters most.

And you can learn more about why LENS + OPTICS is the emergency notification system that schools rely upon to safeguard their communities by clicking here.

Prepare for Next School Year with Eastern DataComm

Ready to ensure your school or district stays connected and protected next year?

Reserve your complimentary consultation with our team to explore how we can help!

6 Key Insights on Emergency Notification From Our Latest Live School Safety Seminar Series

WSI Comandix on April 24, 2023

Our Eastern DataComm team recently hosted a series of live, in-person seminars spanning New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut. School officials and stakeholders whose responsibility it is to ensure the safety of their campuses came from far and wide to join us for this educational experience. The series was incredibly well-received by our attendees and today, we’re sharing the key takeaways from the seminars so you can benefit from the insight we offered, even if you could not join us at one of the locations for the live events.

1) Apps Are Not Enough

One of the biggest takeaways many attendees received from our latest seminar series was the understanding that apps alone are not enough to sufficiently connect and protect their communities in an emergency situation. While those who fell victim to the active shooter in Uvalde, TX, had an app, bad cell service rendered it ineffectual. And this is not simply an issue faced by that single Texas elementary school. Across the country, schools, especially those with older buildings, struggle with less-than-effective cell service. This can not only slow down app-based notifications, but it can also prevent them from working at all. The result: some people do not receive the notification, and that can place them in imminent danger. Another key point worth mentioning: apps such as the one used in this case study only work IF the user has their phone with them and is able to access it. Oftentimes, this isn’t the case for teachers and students in the course of their daily educational and extracurricular activities. 

You can learn more about the significant limitations of phone application-only emergency notification solutions in our past webinar on the subject here. You’ll also discover how a comprehensive school safety ecosystem, featuring integrated technology, can offer you a more robust alternative that’s far more effective when every second counts.

2) ‘Full Coverage’ Is of the Utmost Importance

Another key takeaway from our latest in-person School Safety seminar series was the importance of total coverage. This phrase means that all people in your buildings and on your grounds, from substitute teachers and visitors to staff and students, quickly receive emergency notifications. In addition, those emergency notifications must be clear, concise, and prompt action that is an appropriate response for the situation at hand. 

And far from being simply a buzz phrase, total coverage is the cornerstone of keeping your school and those in it connected and protected.

While it may seem obvious to some, often stakeholders do not realize where vulnerabilities in coverage may exist until an emergency occurs.

At that point, the safety of the campus and grounds are placed in jeopardy as a result. 

The Eastern DataComm team takes the time to understand your needs and your potential areas of vulnerability when it comes to total coverage and effective mass notification.

3) Understanding Your Areas of Potential Vulnerability Is Essential

According to a recent survey by School Safety Magazine, school officials were often pleased with flexible, fast, and reliable systems that allow for a variety of swift and clear communication approaches. Those communications either exist or occur within the same system (like SMS messages, sirens, push notifications, automated phone calls, on-screen communication, and more). This integrated, multimodal technology approach makes their systems versatile for unique student populations and a myriad of challenging school situations that may occur before, during, and/or after school emergencies.

From recognizing the needs of your unique student populations to dealing with communication issues in remote areas of your campus, you may face a variety of potential vulnerabilities when it comes to ensuring everyone on your campus can effectively receive notifications, understand what those messages/signals mean, and respond accordingly during an emergency. 

As we shared with our seminar attendees, we offer a diagnostic and consultative approach to school safety that takes the guesswork out of improving your school safety ecosystem.

Part of this process includes asking questions about your school environment, current technology, and what you need your safety and physical security solutions to achieve for you. 

As we connect with you, we pay careful attention to the needs of the population that traffics your campus. This allows our team to deliver a comprehensive system that not only quickly and accurately communicates with your school community, but also allows them to easily understand what those emergency notifications mean – regardless of sensory ability. 

When analyzing your current school safety profile, our team not only recognizes areas where you exceed safety guidelines, but we also explore where vulnerabilities exist to offer potential improvements you could make to enhance your safety, communications, and physical security technology.

Simply put: We help you discover the changes you can make to keep your community connected and protected.

4) Policies and Procedures Are Simply One Part of the Equation

The right policies and procedures are no doubt effective ways to keep your school districts safe, but as we shared with our attendees when we discussed the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting tragedy, there are factors beyond policy that can enhance your ability to follow those procedures when the time comes.

Executing what you and your school community practiced during drills is an exercise in consistency. 

Drills, when coupled with the right technology, can bring down response time and bring up the safety and security of your buildings and grounds during an emergency.

As one of our customers will attest to, “With our drills, we’re locked down, basically clearing the halls within 10 seconds … And the more quickly we secure the buildings, that’s more lives that we’re going to save.“ 

  • Burlington County, NJ School District Safety and Emergency Management Coordinator

So, while we always encourage our customers to continue rehearsing for potential emergency situations through drills and enhancing policy or procedure to keep up with evolving safety needs, we also help them couple those practices with the right communications and safety technology solutions. This empowers our customers to feel confident that they’re doing all they can to keep those entrusted in their care safe and sound.

5) Clear Communication Is Part of the Safe Response Process

When you’re notifying an entire campus of an active threat or emergency situation, you need your messages to come through quickly and clearly. That way, the response from law enforcement and first responders can occur rapidly – mitigating damage and saving lives. 

According to the aforementioned School Safety Magazine Survey, challenges with message delivery verification impacted over 20% of respondents, and 23% had issues with the clarity of their sirens and loudspeakers. 

Despite these challenges, or perhaps because of them, over 40% of K–12 campuses plan to upgrade a variety of notification technologies including their paging systems and intercoms. 

And as we explained to our School Safety seminar attendees, our LENS + OPTICS system includes the ability to create a conference call with key stakeholders. 

With our state-of-the-art visual and audio communication technology, paging system announcements, signboards, emergency calls to first responders, and other approaches to communication are fully automated. Working with telephony industry leader Mitel, phone systems allow for an added layer of security ensuring those you contact can hear you loud and clear when it matters most.

The result is streamlined communication that allows you to focus on responding in that moment – be you a student on camera or a police officer arriving at the scene. Ultimately, clear communication delivered through the use of integrated, multimodal technology keeps everyone safe.

6) Integrating Your Technology Removes Potential Human Error

School Safety Magazine recently surveyed respondents to understand the challenges they faced when creating effective mass notification approaches for their schools and districts. 

Those challenges included:

  • a lack of support from vendors
  • few, if any, options for flexible integration with new technology
  • time delays in message delivery
  • an undersupply of visual alert lights
  • failing speakers or paging devices
  • need for total coverage in areas like outdoor fields, cafeterias, and gyms

The respondents shared that they were looking for more from their emergency notification and response technologies. And at Eastern DataComm, through years of listening and attending to those pain points for our customers in the education, business, and municipal sectors, we know exactly what they mean. That’s why we do things differently.

When you rely on your teachers, volunteers, staff, or administrators to execute every step of your mass notification and emergency response process manually, you run the risk of human error. Even the most well-trained stakeholders can make a mistake when tensions are high and time is of the essence.

As we shared with our attendees, this is the exact reason you’ll want a streamlined, comprehensive, and integrated emergency response system.

From video surveillance and FCC-compliant multi-line phone systems to access control and emergency response notifications, when everything is working together seamlessly in a self-monitoring system you have greater peace of mind.

And if it sounds too good to be true, rest assured it’s not.

At Eastern DataComm, we call LENS + OPTICS our solution to the challenges that have plagued school officials when addressing their comprehensive school safety concerns.

When every second counts, you can rely upon our lockdown and emergency notification system and continuous monitoring service (LENS + OPTICS) to help you quickly and effectively communicate danger and save lives. 

LENS + OPTICS allows you to instantly alert everyone during a critical situation. At the push of a button, you can automatically institute a lockdown, evacuation, or shelter-in-place during an active threat or other emergency.

And because technology is at the core of this response, you remove the chance for human error. 

Keep Your School Connected and Protected with Eastern DataComm

Want to find the best ways to enhance your school or district’s emergency response and mass notification systems so that clear communication keeps everyone safe?

 Reserve your complimentary consultation with our team to explore your options!

Technology and the School Safety Ecosystem: Fostering Safer Schools

WSI Comandix on July 1, 2022

There are a variety of channels that encompass the ‘safety ecosystem’ in schools. School safety and police officers, training, threat assessment, procedures and protocols for emergencies, compliance, and technology infrastructure essentials like emergency notification systems, video surveillance, and access control systems can all play a vital role in keeping schools and districts safe before, during, and after emergencies like active shooter events.

But, just how can school districts apply this multichannel safety and communications approach to their own campuses to prevent tragedies like the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas?

Let’s explore the connection between effective emergency response plans and the technology that supports them as part of the comprehensive school safety ecosystem.

The School Safety Ecosystem and Planning For Emergencies

The school safety ecosystem includes a wide range of considerations, personnel, and components – including process, protocol, technology. When considering the ecosystem as a whole, it’s important to recognize that the composition of each school is unique, each with its own geographic layout, infrastructure, and communications needs. That means the plans that will be most effective in an emergency are equally distinctive.

In The Building Blocks To School Safety Toolkit from the Readiness and Emergency Management For Schools Technical Assistance Center, The U.S. Department of Education outlines the tools school districts can use to develop effective emergency operations plans (EOPs). It notes that high-quality emergency plans are supported by school safety ecosystem elements including leadership and technology infrastructure. The report also recognizes the importance of considering times and circumstances, customizing plans at the building-by-building level, and addressing the unique needs of the entire school community.

At Eastern DataComm, our consultative and diagnostic approach allows us to ensure that our customers’ school safety and security technology infrastructure supports such plans.

The customized solutions we recommend and implement for the school districts we serve connect key aspects of the school safety ecosystem like law enforcement, prevention, communication, risk management, and technology. These approaches are designed to enhance communication within and between the different parts of that system, creating a comprehensive approach to emergency response.

We work with clients to personalize their technology solutions, including their emergency notification systems, to the specific needs of their individual schools and (where appropriate) the district as a whole.

In the National Institute of Justice’s Comprehensive Report on School Safety Technology, the U.S. Department of Justice notes that technologies like connecting security systems to mobile devices, using cloud-based systems, enhanced video surveillance, and integrated hardware and software can be part of effective school safety technology infrastructure.

The report further states that decisions about investing in such security technologies are multilayer assessments that need to account for the school district’s unique economic and logistical factors among others. The Department of Justice recommends a comprehensive and collaborative evaluation and planning process before selecting technology solutions.

Learning From Tragedy: Using Technology to Reduce The Chances Of Human Error During Emergency Events

When it comes to emergencies, it goes without saying that the one hope is that everyone involved will do the best that they can to respond effectively. However, the stress and urgency of the moment can lead to human error that can cost both time and lives.

As such, integrating technology assets like emergency notification systems, access control, and video surveillance within the school safety ecosystem is essential. It limits the potential for misjudgment by automating critical portions of the emergency notification and response process.

When integrated properly, these solutions can provide holistic coverage of school campuses, leading to rapid response times. Simply put, leveraging technology helps to inform, connect, and engage multiple parts of the school safety ecosystem swiftly to better ensure safety for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Response time is the key factor that can make or break the positive resolution of an emergency situation. In the wake of the recent school shooting tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, we’re reminded that human error is possible and what results from it in dire circumstances can be catastrophic.

According to a timeline of the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting provided by CNN, at 11:28 AM the shooter crashed his car near the school. U.S. Marshals noted that a 911 call was received at 11:30. By 11:31 the suspect had traversed the parking lot and began shooting at the school. Uvalde police arrived moments later at 11:35, but by 11:33 the shooter was already inside, firing multiple rounds into a classroom.

Within mere minutes, the devastation had already begun. Finally, at 12:50 PM, officers unlocked the door to the classroom where the shooter was and killed the gunman.

Even with a great deal of police presence, the shooter was able to enter the building and perpetrate horrendous acts of violence against unarmed, innocent victims during the very early minutes of arriving in the building.

Aside from the reminder that classroom and exterior doors should remain locked during the school day, lessons learned from this tragedy highlight that without an automated emergency notification system, petrified teachers and students could be the ones to make 911 calls instead of having such notifications automated, quickening response times and reducing potential human error.

As evidenced by this example and the many other unfortunate headlines we’ve already read about school shootings, the world has shifted considerably in the last few years. We continue to see gun violence and aggression on school campuses increase across the country for a myriad of reasons. As an organization, Eastern DataComm could not sit idly by while our nation continues to lose children, teachers, and school administrators to violent acts. Though we cannot stop someone from making the decision to cause harm, we can do our part to help make the future a safer one.

LENS + OPTICS: Rapid And Effective Emergency Notification For Your School Safety Ecosystem

To better safeguard our communities, Eastern DataComm has developed the lockdown and emergency notification system and continuous monitoring service, LENS + OPTICS. The system is designed to effectively communicate danger quickly to mitigate damage and loss of life.

Whether it’s an active shooter, lockdown, or another urgent event, thoughtful planning and an understanding of the school safety ecosystem combined with effective technology solutions help

school districts respond more effectively and foster safer school environments. And as we all can agree, a safe school environment empowers the learning and growth that educational institutions aim to achieve.

Learn more about LENS+OPTICS

Discover The Most Effective Ways To Support Your School Safety Ecosystem With Eastern DataComm

When it comes to school safety, we’re all in this together.

Our team of advisors and technicians is here to share our years of experience and insight on safety and communications technology solutions to help you better protect your school community when every second counts.

To learn more about how our team can help you design and implement an effective emergency notification system for your school district, book your complimentary School Safety Consultation by completing this contact form.

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