Schools are frequently a target for active shooters and violent offenders who seek to threaten vulnerable children. Increasing the security resources available to educators is fundamental for providing a safer environment for our youth and ensuring their well-being.
Government grants help schools bridge the gap between the solutions they need to achieve safety and those they can afford. Recently, Tennessee introduced an initiative to prioritize school safety; Governor Bill Lee has announced a $200 million grant program aimed at improving safety programs and law enforcement in K-12 schools across the state.
What do these Grant Programs do for School Security?
These grants will fund physical security advancements at public and non-public schools, which the Tennessee Department of Education will regulate. Specifically, the funds would allow for armed school resource officers, also referred to as SROs, for every public school.
Tennessee’s grant program for school safety divides available funds into multiple sections. First, schools statewide will receive $140 million from this grant to obtain full-time SROs for immediate protection during an active shooter situation or any other potential unknown threat. Each school is eligible for up to $75,000 per year to ensure preparedness throughout the state. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security reviews selected officers, making it possible for school security upgrades to be implemented swiftly.
$54 million in Funds Allocated to Safeguarding Public and Non-Public Schools and Increasing School Safety
Public schools will also receive $40 million in total as a part of this grant. The Public School Security Grant initiative allows for an array of both preventative and proactive security measures. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security will assess the grant applications to arrive at the most efficient solution for each school. By channeling financial resources into this crucial area, Tennessee is fortifying its education system to prepare students and educators against potential threats.
Non-public schools will receive $14 million in grants to increase security. Similar to public schools, non-public schools are to be provided with preventive and proactive security measures. Some of these services will include improved physical security, emergency operations planning, violence prevention programs, conflict resolution, and safety training for staff members.
Tennessee Demonstrating the Importance of Investing in Protecting Youth from School Violence
Tennessee’s $200 million grant program reflects the state’s commitment to and understanding of the high need to create an atmosphere of safety and security for students and school staff alike. Tennessee is investing in a constructive approach to preventing and responding to potential threats through onsite, full-time security and providing increased training and prevention. It is essential to recognize this state’s efforts and understand that “nothing is more important than making sure that Tennessee students and teachers return home from school safely each day,” as stated by Gov. Lee.
How SOS Technologies Supports School Security Initiatives
SOS Technologies delivers premium emergency monitoring, prevention, and response capabilities for organizations, including schools, nationwide. Our SmartSOS™ security platform and EagleEyeSM AI technology provide exceptional support for school administrators seeking to implement robust security solutions and keep their children and faculty safe.
Are you interested in learning more about how SOS Technologies can partner with your school to keep students, teachers, and staff safe? Reach out to us to schedule a presentation.
Ensure a Swift and Effective Response
A swift and effective emergency response is vital for keeping caregivers, staff, and patients safe. Healthcare organizations, due to their scale and complexity, require solutions that are reliable and can be immediately activated during an emergency. Solutions that can convey event information directly to dispatch and first responders further minimize the consequences of emergency events.
- Instantaneous Communication: Communication networks should be ready to spring into action at the touch of a button – avoiding administrative delay. This means having protocols and systems in place that can be swiftly activated to meet specific use cases.
- Versatile Communication Channels: Communication systems should have the capacity to distribute messages across multiple channels, including mobile notifications, recorded voice messages, text messages, and emails, with redundancy to ensure information is received.
Communications Customized for your Audiences
Collaborate with Local Authorities for a Unified Response
Communication plans that prioritize seamless integration with local infrastructure (e.g., police, fire, EMS, etc.) strengthen emergency preparedness plans and help healthcare providers directly respond to the needs of their communities.
- Local Response: Emergency preparedness solutions that directly integrate local infrastructure and public services keep both providers and community services continually informed of ongoing developments, ensuring that a site of care is always attentive and informed during an emergency scenario.
- Inter-Hospital Coordination: Cooperation with other healthcare facilities helps expedite response during a large emergency or mass-casualty event.
Track and Monitor for Safety and Efficiency
Solutions that enable comprehensive tracking of staff and patients within a healthcare facility support the safety of individuals and enable the delivery of efficient care.
- Staff Management: Rapid contact with all staff members based on their schedules, areas of expertise, and specific hospital needs facilitates accountability and quick, efficient coordination during emergency scenarios.
- Patient Monitoring: Monitoring the status of patients is equally critical. It is essential to have a system in place to accurately track patients’ movements and provide them with proper guidance during an emergency.
- Communication with Off-Duty Employees During Emergencies: Establishing contact with staff members who are off-duty when an emergency arises can also be valuable.
Comprehensive Documentation for Compliance
Documenting communications during emergency situations is essential. Following the rules established by CMS, providers and suppliers have a duty to document their efforts in collaborating with emergency officials.
To adhere to these standards, it’s advisable to employ a communication and security platform that automatically records messages and interactions during emergencies. This not only guarantees a precise paper trail but also alleviates the workload of emergency responders, allowing them to concentrate on critical tasks rather than manual record-keeping.
The SmartSOS™ platform maintains records of all system initiations to include testing of the system in support of tabletop or full-blown exercises.
Maintaining a Reliable Platform
Although not explicitly outlined in the guidelines, having reliable emergency plans and services should not be overlooked. When building an emergency preparedness plan, it’s essential to ensure that communication networks are reliable and function, even when public utilities and networks are down.
Keep Your Plans Current
These elements constitute the core requirements set by CMS for emergency preparedness. Facilities should meticulously assess their existing systems, identify gaps, and engage with providers who can help fill those gaps, as “the plan must be reviewed and updated at least every 2 years.” It’s essential that a healthcare facility be well-prepared and responsive in the event of emergencies, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the safety and well-being of both staff and patients.
SOS Technologies is Your Emergency Preparedness Partner
SOS Technologies can partner with your healthcare organization to strengthen your emergency preparedness plan with the support of our SmartSOS™ platform. Unrivaled in its effectiveness, our platform drives effective communication with staff, patients, and visitors, as well as external emergency services, during a crisis scenario. Delivering exceptional emergency monitoring, prevention, and response capabilities, ours is the only such patented platform in the United States that connects directly to law enforcement and first responders.
Let SOS Technologies keep your organization safe. Schedule a presentation today.