New Law Mandates Panic Alarms In Public Schools
What Is Alyssa’s Law?
14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff was one of 17 people who died in the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas School. Investigation of the tragedy found that insufficient response time was found to be a contributing factor in the loss of life.
The new law named after Alyssa requires silent panic alarms in every public school building in Florida and New Jersey to alert police and rescuers to emergencies. Alyssa’s Law is also quickly gaining traction around the rest of the U.S.
Complying With Alyssa’s Law: How To Do It
When a life-threatening emergency occurs time equals life. Complying with Alyssa’s Law requires implementing a silent panic alert system that connects directly and in real time with law enforcement so in case of any emergency they will get on the scene as quickly as possible, take down a threat and triage any victims. What’s more, the law requires that the panic alarm adheres to nationally recognized industry standards, including those of the National Fire Protection Association and Underwriters Laboratories, and installed by a licensed alarm system installer.
Intended to reduce law enforcement response times for life-threatening events occurring on school campuses, the law presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Alyssa’s Law compliance certification deadline December 21, 2020 for New Jersey, and August 1, 2020 for Florida.
Want to take school safety to the next level and achieve full Alyssa’s Law compliance?
We offer a full spectrum of solutions that help school leaders manage safety and improve emergency preparedness. Our RapidSOS Ready silent alarm panic systems fully meet the mandate to connect schools directly with public safety to reduce response times.
