Fairfax County Schools launch new emergency management system– here’s what to know
President Donald Trump delivers a controversial address at the 80th UN General Assembly in New York City. Image Credit: UN Photo/Loey
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has announced the rollout of a new emergency management system across all school facilities, aimed at strengthening safety and improving response times during critical incidents.
The Fairfax County Public Schools system is a school division in the U.S. commonwealth of Virginia. It is a branch of the Fairfax County government, which administers public schools in Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax.
According to the school district, the technology is designed to enable faster and more coordinated emergency responses by enhancing real-time communication between school personnel, FCPS security teams, and local law enforcement and first responders.
The system, developed by Raptor Technologies, features a network of sensors installed throughout school buildings to help accurately identify the location of an emergency. In addition, school staff will be issued wearable Emergency Response Buttons (ERBs), allowing them to discreetly summon assistance when urgent situations arise.
Once an ERB is activated on school grounds, an alert is immediately sent to the FCPS Security Operations Center, nearby emergency services, and designated school staff. The sensor technology then assists responders by pinpointing where help is needed inside the building, reducing delays and confusion during emergencies.
FCPS emphasized that the new system is not intended to replace calling 911. Instead, it serves as an added layer of protection, particularly in situations where a phone may not be readily accessible or when making a call could be unsafe or impractical.