The ability to communicate clearly and quickly is a critical component in any emergency. Most school districts have an emergency response plan in place aimed at enabling them to respond decisively and with intent and purpose. It is recommended that these emergency response plans are in place and there should be an emergency communication solution installed that can support it. It is also recommended that every school have an intercom/paging system installed and operational. Many of these intercom systems are aging and at the end of support. Today’s schools need systems that can improve response times and that support all emergency events (evacuation, shelter in place, lockdown and lockout).
Emergency communications systems should include the following features:
- Live announcements, emergency tones and pre-recorded instructional messages to direct students and staff
- Hands-free intercom
- Remote system access
- Emergency tones
- Visual displays
- Interface with other systems in a facility for a coordinated response
- Automated voice announcements to first responders via phone
- Ability for administration to communicate to a building, multiple buildings or district wide.
An important aspect of any critical communication component is a maintenance plan. It is imperative to evaluate, test and train end users in the use of the solution and how it supports the response plan. The communication solution should be designed and supported so that in a true crisis, an entire plan can be put into place by selecting one pre-defined option.
Many districts have a crisis and emergency procedures in place but no plan to implement the technology necessary to communicate emergency information and respond quickly to any event. An intercom/paging system plays a vital role in a comprehensive crisis and mass notification plan, and schools need an internal communication system that allows immediate public address to help lock down a school if needed. For example, it is important for teachers and other staff to have a panic button for emergency situations.
Today’s IP-based intercom systems are advanced systems that allow district wide notification and enable more flexibility in programming and capabilities.
The Telecenter TCU offers this in three areas:
Emergencies / Smart Response: Deliver critical notifications for a wide range of emergencies, whether a lock-down, lock out or weather emergency.
Event Management / Smart Schedules: Manage every schedule for every school from anywhere on your network to make scheduling effortless. Telecenter U allows you to easily manage calendar and schedules, either by school or centrally, through a simple web browser interface.
Everyday Communication / Smart Days: Communicate daily operations messages all day, every day to a single location, a group of facilities or the entire district. Telecenter U fully integrates your communications system with paging, intercom, bells, clocks and classroom sound to keep every day running smoothly.
There are three flexible migration options available:
#1. Overlay to existing Migration Options
#2. Hybrid without network upgrades
#3. Full IP solution
Contact us at Keystone Fire and Security today to learn more about which critical solution and which option would work best for your district. If you would like more information regarding the Rauland Telecenter TCU please fill out the contact form on this page. If you would like to learn more about our education solutions please visit: http://comsysinc.com/markets/education/
Have Questions? Call us at 610-841-9609