In a recent blog post, I highlighted the critical role of badge I.D. panic buttons during the shooting at Apalachee High School. As a school security assessor, I often discuss the importance of panic buttons, also called duress alarms, with school staff. While badge I.D. panic buttons are a newer technology, duress alarms have been crucial to school security for many years.
Duress Alarms
A duress alarm is a security device designed to send an alert quickly when someone is in an emergency. Unlike standard security systems that protect property, these alarms are in place to protect people who require immediate help.
Typically discreet and about the size of a doorbell, a school’s duress alarm notifies security personnel and first responders when pressed. Below, we will discuss key locations for duress alarms and important system integration, functionality, and school policy factors.
Key Locations for Duress Alarms
Choosing the right locations for duress alarms enhances safety and emergency response. When installing them in schools, they should be positioned within reach of all staff, including those with disabilities. Alarms should be marked for easy identification during emergencies, except when a button is placed under a desk or counter.
Main Entrance Areas
Main Office: The main office is the first area visitors see when entering a school. It's important to install a duress alarm for employees to quickly signal for help in emergencies, like an armed intruder or aggressive parent. A best practice is to place the alarm under the desk or counter for easy access.
Check-In: Each school’s check-in area near the main office should have an accessible duress alarm to alert authorities in emergencies. This is especially necessary if a wall between the office and the check-in area obstructs the office workers’ view. The alarm should have a flip-down cover to prevent accidental activation. However, it should still allow parents or students checking in or out to signal for help easily if they witness an emergency outside the school or in the vestibule at the school’s entrance.
Principal’s Office: All principal and assistant principal offices should have duress alarms. Like the main office, these alarms should be placed under a desk within easy reach if a student or visitor becomes aggressive. These offices will typically be on the same floor in smaller schools with only two head administrators. In larger schools with multiple floors and several head administrators, duress alarms should be installed in every office on each floor.
Counselors’ Office and Conference Rooms
Counselor’s Office: Counseling offices provide safe spaces for students who are sometimes distressed, so school counselors must have easy access to duress alarms during sessions. The alarm should be placed under the counselor’s desk or near the meeting table. If individual offices lack alarms, at least one accessible and clearly labeled duress alarm should be installed in the counseling suite for emergencies.
Conference Rooms: Conference rooms allow staff and visitors to discuss school-related matters privately. To ensure safety during meetings that could become stressful, a duress alarm should be easily accessible and labeled, ideally placed under the table or within reach of staff members.
High Traffic Areas
Cafeteria: The cafeteria gets busy during lunch, and emergencies can go unnoticed due to the noise. To improve safety, duress alarms should be placed near where staff members stand and be clearly labeled. Each alarm should have a flip-down cover to prevent accidental activation. These alarms will alert school security and first responders in an event, such as a large fight or medical emergency.
Auditorium/Gymnasium: Auditoriums and gymnasiums can also be very noisy spaces. The two may be located in the same space in smaller schools but are usually separate in larger schools. It’s advisable to install duress alarms in these areas in case of emergencies. Like in the cafeteria, these alarms should have a flip-down cover to prevent accidental activation, be clearly labeled, and be easily accessible to staff and students.
Specific Classrooms: While installing duress alarms in every classroom isn't practical, strategically positioning them in select classes is beneficial to staff and students. Areas farther from administrative offices, larger schools where response times take longer, or special education rooms with vulnerable populations should be prioritized as duress alarm locations.
Policies and Procedures
Integration and Functionality: To make panic buttons effective, they should be integrated with the school's security systems for seamless communication with emergency services. Collaborating with security professionals to connect alarms is essential for ensuring proper setup and connection. The school's policy should also mandate testing each duress alarm at least once per quarter to ensure functionality.
Floor Plans: All local first responders and the emergency dispatch center should receive copies of the floor plans. This enables the response team to understand the location of the activated duress alarm before their arrival. Schools should update these floor plans whenever there are changes to the building layout.
Training and Drills: All staff and administrators should receive training on using duress alarms and the appropriate actions to take in an emergency. It is a best practice to incorporate this training into monthly or quarterly staff meetings to help familiarize all employees with the location and operation of each duress alarm. During each meeting, remind staff members which school personnel and first responders will be alerted and respond when the alarm is pressed.
When conducting tests, local dispatch centers should be notified of the drill before the alarm activation. This ensures a complete walk-through of the duress alarm notification process and confirms that the alert reaches the appropriate first responders.
False alarms: Duress alarms in high-traffic areas should have a flip-down plastic cover to prevent accidental activation, though this will not stop intentional prank activations. Schools need clear policies for responding to false alarms and should consistently communicate that pranks will not be tolerated and will be dealt with promptly. It is crucial to remind students to only activate duress alarms in a genuine emergency.
Final Thoughts
It's possible that a school district that wants additional duress alarms may not have the immediate budget available for a large-scale installation. Fortunately, school grants, such as those available through SchoolSafety.gov, can help districts gradually implement security measures.
Duress alarms are an essential component of a comprehensive school security strategy. Implementing these security measures helps ensure the safety of everyone inside the school. This commitment to security extends beyond the school building, providing peace of mind to parents who expect schools to take proactive steps to make their environments the safest places for children.
