To comply with Alyssa's Alert requirements for the upcoming school year, both Citrus County and Lee County school districts are implementing badge-based panic alarm systems.
The law, named after Parkland shooting victim Alyssa Alhadeff, mandates Florida public and charter schools to install a panic alarm system activated by a mobile device. Earlier this year, the Florida Department of Education (DOE) recommended a badge-based solution called Centegix CrisisAlert that does not rely on a mobile phone application downloaded to a personal device in order to comply with the law.
"We looked for a system that was not app-based and would be able to work with minimal dependence on additional infrastructure. This is cleverly designed to use minimal infrastructure," said Dwayne Alton, Technology Operations Executive Director at Lee County Schools.
In addition, Dave Vincent, Citrus County school district's police chief and school safety specialist said, "I wanted something that was easy to use, something that was an immediate notification to our 911 center, and has an audible and visual notification on our campus."