In light of recent events, there have been thousands if not millions of comments via social media on how to keep the multitudes safe from active mass shooters. Whether you believe in open carry gun laws or in taking measures to strengthen the premises to protect those inside, the next step in planning is making sure law enforcement is notified.
Cell phones
Things are different in society than they were 20 years ago. Now, everyone has a cell phone. However, placing a 911 call from a cell phone is handled differently than a land line. When a 911 call is placed on a land line, most law enforcement dispatchers can pinpoint your exact location. When a call is placed on a cell phone, the police dispatcher MAY be able to see the tower your phone is using to communicate. Directions to your exact location will be necessary to get them to you. In a high stress situation, this may be a challenge. Be prepared when you call, to give the dispatcher a clear and concise address.
Where are you at?
If you do work at a large facility, calling from either a landline or cell phone may still delay law enforcement response time. Why? Say you work in a large warehouse. You call 911 and tell the dispatcher you have a situation at ABC warehouse. You might even tell the dispatcher the name of the building or a letter that might be on the side of that building. But just because you know the name of the building doesn’t mean that law enforcement does. While markings on your building may help, it will still take time to find the correct building. Be prepared to give the dispatchers clear and concise directions, like “the north side of the building” or “the door off of ABC Street”. This will help law enforcement find you.
No Line Available
The other factor in a high stress situation is access to your phone. Because of costs, land lines are being disconnected and used only when necessary. Many sales people, especially those that travel are only issued a cell phone and don’t even have a land line on their desk. So there are few options to reach a phone in one of these offices. If you work in a manufacturing plant, a school or a retail outlet, you may be required by your employer to keep your phone in a locker or away from your person during work hours. If an emergency like a mass shooter exists, it may be impossible for anyone to call for help immediately. So, getting everyone to safety is, of course, the main concern!
Panic Buttons
A panic button is a small device that, when pushed, immediately notifies a monitoring station to send law enforcement. Panic buttons are usually incorporated into a security system for a minimal cost. They can be mounted in an inconspicuous location such as under a desk. Unfortunately, panic buttons that are placed in or around high traffic areas are pushed often. Whether it is the occasional hamburger placed on it, or the bank papers that were accidentally pushed up into it, false alarms are high where these devices are concerned. Calling “wolf”, to many times, will discount the importance of a panic alarm and possibly cause a slower law enforcement response time. Proper placement is key to not having to bother law enforcement unnecessarily.
There are also wireless panic buttons available that can be carried with in the building. Wireless devices should be tested regularly with your security provider to ensure they are in proper working order. This can be done by calling the monitoring center to let them know you want to test the device. Because these are life safety devices, changing the batteries at least once a year is also recommended.
Helping your local law enforcement
Having a panic button connected to audio will also help law enforcement. To help you understand, first listen to this real audio at a high school:
Adding audio to a pressed panic buttons allows a monitoring operator to tell law enforcement dispatchers exactly what they hear inside the building. Many camera systems now offer the ability to view them offsite. In a mass shooter situation, this footage would be invaluable to law enforcement. It gives them the opportunity to have a plan instead of entering a building totally blind.
If you are interested on how this cutting edge technology can work for you, click here to contact us.
