High-Tech School Safety Program The San Juan Unified School District is the first in the state to implement a new high-tech first responder program in its schools, which could make all the difference during a campus crisis. Today was just another day at school in the San Juan Unified School District. But what if there was a crisis, and police and firefighters and other emergency crews had to respond to one of the schools? That’s what happened two years ago when a 17-year old student at a Spokane, Washington high school barricaded himself in a classroom, and made threats. Don Myers/San Juan Unified Schools told FOX40 News “Everyone knew what their specific goals were… whether it was to evacuate the students, where to set up first and, if necessary, and how to block off the streets.” That crisis ended in 12 minutes. The school had a high-tech system in place to show first responders the layout of the school, what flammable chemicals were on campus, and tactical ways in and out. San Juan Unified, through a $929,000 dollar grant, is the first California school district to implement the system that’s put on a CD or thumbnail drive. We talked with parents at Pasadena Avenue Elementary. Tabitha Worth said “My daughter, she’s in pre-school here, she goes to pre-school here and I think it’s a great idea if it’s gonna give our kids more protection and they can get here faster, I’m for it.” All schools in Washington state now have the Rapid Responder software. California educators and emergency personnel may be watching to see how successful it is at San Juan Unified. |
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