In the 2022-2023 school year, gun-related incidents made up nearly 50% of violent events in schools, with 55 shootings reported on school campuses during or after school hours—an increase of 139% compared to 2018-2019​. 

School safety is a critical concern for educators, parents, and communities. While schools have implemented many protocols to protect students, hidden gaps in existing safety measures still leave them vulnerable to various threats. Active Defender offers a comprehensive solution that bridges these gaps, providing schools with the tools to ensure a safer environment for everyone.

The Current State of School Safety

Schools have made great strides in implementing safety protocols such as lockdown drills, emergency evacuation plans, and secure entry systems. However, as threats to school safety continue to evolve, many of these measures still need to address modern challenges. 

The rise in cyber threats, physical violence, and mental health crises has outpaced many schools’ ability to respond effectively. The traditional protocols in place often cannot communicate, adapt, and provide real-time responses to these evolving threats.

The Hidden Gaps in School Safety Protocols

1. Communication Delays

During an emergency, every second counts, yet communication breakdowns often occur, whether due to technological issues, human error, or situational confusion. Traditional safety protocols depend on manual alerts, walkie-talkies, group messages, etc., which can delay critical information reaching the right people. This delay increases response time and leaves staff and students vulnerable to escalating threats.

Active Defender’s Instant Communication and Real-Time Alerts

Active Defender provides an enhanced communication platform that allows staff, security personnel, and first responders to stay connected in real-time. With instant alerts to smartphones, desktops, or classroom equipment and seamless communication across the entire school, information is relayed quickly and efficiently. Whether it’s a lockdown situation, a medical emergency, or a suspicious person on campus, Active Defender ensures that the right people are informed within seconds of the threat emerging.

2. Limited Situational Awareness

In many emergencies, staff and first responders struggle to understand the severity of the emergency because of fragmented information. They may not know the threat’s exact location or how the situation is evolving in real-time. This lack of situational awareness creates confusion and can lead to inefficient or misguided responses, potentially putting more people in danger.

Active Defender’s Crisis Clarity

Active Defender offers real-time data sharing, location tracking, and ongoing threat updates. Staff can view a custom dynamic map of their campus, including where the threat is located and progressing. This real-time situational awareness enables quicker, more informed decision-making, allowing for faster neutralization of threats and reducing confusion.

3. Inadequate Technology Integration

Many schools rely on a patchwork of safety technologies that do not communicate with one another. For example, surveillance cameras, alarms, and communication systems may all operate independently, requiring staff to switch between systems manually during a crisis. This fragmentation can slow down response times and leave critical gaps in safety.

Active Defender’s Integrated Technology Solutions

Active Defender integrates with existing systems such as door locks, cameras, and panic buttons, providing comprehensive security coverage. It enhances situational awareness for first responders, alerts local authorities with detailed information, and reduces response times.

4. Overlooking Mental Health Crises

While much attention is given to physical threats, many safety protocols do not adequately address the growing issue of mental health crises in schools. Early signs of emotional distress or behavioral issues are often missed, leading to situations that could escalate into threats to school safety.

Active Defender’s Student Behavioral Analysis Reporting Feature

The Student Behavior Analysis Reporting feature allows school administrators, staff, and teachers to identify and streamline the process of analyzing student behavior, reporting detailed concerns to appropriate school staff, and documenting outcomes.

Who is Active Defender?

Active Defender’s School Safety Platform revolutionizes emergency alerting and communication and provides the most comprehensive situational awareness available during a crisis. With Active Defender, ALL staff can immediately know WHAT the threat is, WHERE it is, understand WHAT TO DO, and REPORT their STATUS on a custom, dynamic campus map on their mobile device.

To learn more, visit Active Defender or take the first step in enhancing your school’s safety today by booking an interactive demo!