In the event of an emergency, knowing what happened and where it happened is critical information that can help save lives. It is not just the first responders that need to know the details of the threat, but everyone on the campus needs to be aware of the situation so they can make the right decisions and take appropriate actions. In this blog post, we will discuss the value of this information in emergency communication for schools and businesses, and why it is important for everyone to understand its importance.

Emergency Communication and what they must include:

When an emergency occurs, time is of the essence. Every second counts, and having the right information can help save lives. Knowing what happened and where it happened is crucial for making informed decisions that can protect the safety of students, staff, and customers. This information can help people determine the severity of the threat, and whether they should evacuate, shelter in place, or take other actions to protect themselves.

For schools and businesses, having this information is particularly important. In these environments, there are often large numbers of people present, and it can be challenging to get everyone to safety quickly. Having accurate information about the threat can help leaders make informed decisions about how to respond, and help ensure that everyone is informed and able to act quickly.

For example, if there is an active shooter on a school campus, knowing where the shooter is located and what weapons they have can help staff determine the best course of action. If the shooter is far away from a certain part of the school, that area may be considered safer, and students and staff may be able to shelter in place. However, if the shooter is nearby, evacuating the building may be the best option.

In a business setting, knowing what and where an emergency is happening can help leaders determine the best way to respond to the threat. If there is a fire in one part of the building, for example, it may be safer for employees to evacuate through another exit, rather than using the one that is closest to the fire.

Why Everyone Needs to Know What and Where.

It is not just the leaders or first responders who need to know what happened and where it happened. Everyone on the campus needs to be informed, so they can make informed decisions and take appropriate actions. This includes students, teachers, staff, and customers in the case of a business.

For example, if there is a fire in a school, teachers need to know where the fire is located so they can guide their students to safety. Staff members need to know which exits are safest to use, and which areas of the building should be avoided. Students and teachers who are outside of the affected area may need to know where to go to avoid the danger.

In a business setting, all employees need to be informed about the situation so they can take appropriate actions. This includes evacuating the building, sheltering in place, or taking other steps to protect their safety. If only a few people are informed about the situation, confusion and chaos can ensue, putting everyone at risk.

Conclusion

Knowing what happened and where it happened is a critical part of emergency communication for schools and businesses. In an emergency, every second counts, and having the right information can help save lives. It is not just the first responders who need to know the details of the threat, but everyone on the campus needs to be informed so they can make informed decisions and take appropriate actions. By prioritizing this information and ensuring that everyone is informed, schools and businesses can help protect the safety of their students, staff, and customers.

LINKS for additional study of Situational Awareness:

• “Situational Awareness for Emergency Response” by the Department of Homeland Security: https://www.dhs.gov/publication/situational-awareness-emergency-response
• “Situational Awareness in a Disaster” by Ready.gov: https://www.ready.gov/situational-awareness
• How to Report Threats So Others Can Know And Help:
  https://active-defender.com/how-to-report-a-potential-school-threat-seen-on-social-media/
• “Situational Awareness for First Responders” by the National Institute of Standards and Technology: https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/situational-awareness-first-responders
• “Situational Awareness and Communications Interoperability for First Responders” by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration: https://www.ntia.gov/files/ntia/publications/situational_awareness_and_communications_interoperability_for_first_responders.pdf