Developing response protocols for emergency situations critical to facilities managers, first responders

This ensures that all vital information is available quickly and easily. This is important, because the faster central command-and-control communications are established, the better the response, the safer the occupants, and the sooner the situation can be resolved.

An additional feature of these command centers is the ability to establish two-way communications between first responders and select building occupants.

Using the example of a school, if the RERS is activated, law enforcement and first responders would be provided critical information via the control center, while simultaneously having the capability of initiating communications with select stakeholders, such as teachers, principals, facility managers or administrative employees.

This two-way communication is a crucial tool in crisis situations. When a school or building goes into lockdown, it can remain in lockdown for several hours. Previously, in these scenarios, building occupants would be required to wait with no information or update on the progression of the situation. Today, not only can selected stakeholders receive information from law enforcement and first responders, but—unlike mass-notification systems—they also have the capability to send information back to the command group. For instance, if building occupants reported the intruder was wearing a red hat, or spotted a threat in a specific area of the facility, they can relay this critical information  directly to the Command Group and to first responders.,

Providing law enforcement with critical information about a crisis scenario (for example, where it is taking place, who is involved and when the initial call for response was made) and giving public safety the necessary tools for improved action (such as two-way communications, security-camera feeds and emergency documents) means increasing the efficiency and speed of law-enforcement response. This can shave crucial minutes and seconds from the response effort, which ultimately can save lives.

John McNutt is the co-founder and CEO of BluePoint Alert Solutions.