Increasing incidents of violence have made school safety a critical issue nationwide. Many states, counties and municipalities have passed legislation mandating increased security measures. Many schools are required to develop and implement comprehensive safety plans to protect students and staff and prepare them for emergencies.
Crisis planning and staff training play an important role in school safety. School safety experts recommend lockdown drills not only to give staff an opportunity to practice procedures but to test security protocols. Properly trained personnel can quickly assess situations, make decisions and communicate vital information that saves lives.
However, humans can also be a weak link in security. At best, training and drills can simulate an emergency. It’s difficult to predict how human beings will react in an actual crisis. Schools need an array of safety systems and technologies to prevent, detect and respond to threats.
Essential Schools Safety Technologies
School safety experts recommend an array of technologies to protect lives and property and enable rapid response in an emergency. Some of the most important tools include:
- Access Control Systems. Electromagnetic door locks make it easier to control access, either on a schedule or on command. ID badges, biometric scanners and other identification technologies can enable authorized access to secured areas.
- Video Surveillance Technology. Cameras record activity, help identify perpetrators, preserve evidence and deter mischief and criminal activity. Cloud-based solutions allow live monitoring of video footage from anywhere.
- Monitoring Systems. The latest monitoring devices go beyond traditional door alarms, alerting security personnel of both intrusions and suspicious activity. They can also detect behaviors such as smoking, vaping and bullying.
- School-Site Alarm and Protection Technology. These tools alert school officials, teachers, staff and emergency responders during a dangerous situation. Panic buttons enable emergency lockdowns from any location.
- Communication Systems. Two-way interactive systems make it possible to alert school staff and law enforcement to incidents and suspicious activities and individuals. They can also help guide first responders to the precise location of the emergency.
Despite the benefits of these tools, many schools struggle to implement and manage them. Disconnected security controls can also leave gaps and miss complex threats.
The Verkada School Security Platform
Verkada has developed a fully integrated, easy-to-use platform that combines intelligent devices with centralized command software. Users can easily set door schedules and provide staff with role-based access to privileged areas. Cloud-based visitor management software simplifies and personalizes security and health screening and integrates with access control and video surveillance systems.
Camera feeds can be monitored from anywhere and shared with local authorities in seconds. Users can also set alerts for motion, intruders, suspicious activity, or people or vehicles of interest. In the event of an emergency, users can lock down doors in seconds with a panic button, mobile app or web browser while allowing first responders access.
The Verkada platform goes beyond security to enhance health, safety and operations. Environmental sensors monitor air quality, temperature and humidity, and can detect smoking, vaping and elevated noise levels in bathrooms and locker rooms. Intercoms feature sharp video, clear audio and four smart receiver methods. Verkada can also streamline mailroom management and safeguard assets with native camera integration.
Single-Pane-of-Glass Management
All of these features can be managed from a single pane of glass, even across multiple sites. Everything is cloud-based, with unlimited user seats and archiving and automatic updates. Video cameras provide up to a year of onboard storage without NVRs or DVRs.
Verteks has partnered with Verkada to help K-12 schools throughout Florida take advantage of these advanced technologies. We can help you select the right products, choose the best locations for cameras and sensors, and configure and implement the Verkada software. You can rest assured that you’re maximizing the value of the latest security and safety tools.
No school wants to be the site of a tragedy. Let us show you how Verkada school safety solutions can help you keep students, teachers and staff safe through a comprehensive suite of integrated hardware and software.