Texas District Tries Alert Buttons To Improve Security

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 08/27/13

A Texas district is outfitting teachers and staff with a small alerting device they can press in the event of an emergency. Carroll Independent School District has gone public with plans to use eTrak Alert Buttons that send messages to pre-programmed recipients. When a wearer presses the device, it alerts recipients that help is needed and tells them where the incident is taking place.

"We're excited in Carroll ISD to be partnering with eTrak to improve communications and our emergency response time in the event of a school crisis," said Julie Thannum, assistant superintendent for board and community relations. "We believe the device is small enough to be worn comfortably and without much notice, while giving our employees a stronger sense of confidence that if they were to find themselves in a difficult or troublesome situation, they could reach out instantly for help."

The domino-shaped eTrak can also be programmed to notify other teachers and staff to take lockdown procedures. A battery keeps the device powered for up to seven days. It was originally created to help caretakers of people with special needs who are prone to wandering away. A tracking component within eTrak can be used to locate the person on an online map from a smartphone or computer.

The company sells the idea that the use of its device is speedier than more traditional notification systems. "The eTrak Emergency Alert system sends a notification within seconds of the first sign of danger. This time savings will provide a much faster response time from first responders, and thereby potentially [minimize] injuries to school employees and children," said CEO John Harris.

eTrak has traditionally marketed the product to parents through school parent-teacher associations. In those situations the company provides the device free and charges families an activation and monthly service fee for the program.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • digital learning resources including a document, video tutorial, quiz checklist, pie chart, and AI cloud icon

    Quizizz Rebrands as Wayground, Announces New AI Features

    Learning platform Quizizz has become Wayground, in a rebranding meant to reflect "the platform's evolution from a quiz tool into a more versatile supplemental learning platform that's supported by AI," according to a news announcement.

  • red brick school building with a large yellow "AI" sign above its main entrance

    New National Academy for AI Instruction to Provide Free AI Training for Educators

    In an effort to "transform how artificial intelligence is taught and integrated into classrooms across the United States," the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), in partnership with Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and the United Federation of Teachers, is launching the National Academy for AI Instruction, a $23 million initiative that will provide access to free AI training and curriculum for all AFT members, beginning with K-12 educators.

  • stylized illustration of a desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone all displaying an orange AI icon

    Survey: AI Shifting from Cloud to PCs

    A recent Intel-commissioned report identifies a significant shift in AI adoption, moving away from the cloud and closer to the user. Businesses are increasingly turning to the specialized hardware of AI PCs, the survey found, recognizing their potential not just for productivity gains, but for revolutionizing IT efficiency, fortifying data security, and delivering a compelling return on investment by bringing AI capabilities directly to the edge.

  • Abstract AI circuit board pattern

    Nonprofit LawZero to Work Toward Safer, Truthful AI

    Turing Award-winning AI researcher Yoshua Bengio has launched LawZero, a nonprofit aimed at developing AI systems that prioritize safety and truthfulness over autonomy.