The Importance of Drills and Training in Emergency Response
The DOJ Uvalde School Shooting Response and Ohio Active Shooter Drill underscored how preparedness, communication, and a cohesive partnership between regional agencies make all the difference when responding to a crisis. Read on to hear from a leading School Safety expert on the importance of drills and training, and discover the School District setting a new standard for safety preparedness. School Safety Expert Craig Miller on the Importance of Drills and...
Active Shooter Drill with Interoperability Focus Uncovers Failures: A Mutualink Interview with Joe Dooley
A recent active shooter drill in Conneaut, Ohio revealed sizable failures in emergency response planning and execution. The drill, which came after months of planning, focused on measuring progress in unified command and interoperability, which were identified as key factors for success in emergency response situations by the DOJ Uvalde report. In our interview with Joe Dooley, Director of Public Safety & Security Solutions at Mutualink, we explore why the failures in this well-planned active...
Automated Emergency Response: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters
If you've heard terms like "Automated Emergency Response (AER)" or "Interoperable Systems" and felt more confused than comforted, you're not alone. This advanced technology makes all the difference, but it tends to come with a lot of complicated, technical talk. That's why we're here to break things down into terms everyone can understand, without an encyclopedia. Read on and in 2-3 minutes you'll know exactly what Automated Emergency Response is, how it works, and why...
How to Identify and Strengthen the Weakest Link in Your School’s Emergency Response Plan
A Chain Is No Stronger Than Its Weakest Link But do you know yours? We do – and we have the insights and tools to repair it. Read on for critical lessons from past tragedies and the present-day, proven solutions that securely enhance your school’s safety. Learning From the Past What did Parkland High School, Robb Elementary School, and The Covenant School in Nashville all have in common? They had established...
The #1 Emergency Response Solution Boosting East Texas School Safety
How Lost Time Cost Lives in The Uvalde School Shooting The devastating impact of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde continues to reverberate. The most recent DOJ report underscores the critical importance of a successful emergency response solution to save time in emergencies, prompting Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith to take decisive action to enhance East Texas School Safety. Sheriff Larry Smith expressed deep concern over the incident, recognizing the vulnerability of children in...
School Safety in Texas: How Smith County Is Ahead of the Curve
Smith County Sheriff, Larry Smith, Is Spearheading Change for School Safety in Texas Motivated by the findings of the DOJ report on the Uvalde School Shooting Response, Smith County Sheriff, Larry Smith is taking action to enhance school safety in Texas. In the fall of 2023, Sheriff Smith and other law enforcement in East Texas conducted thorough research, seeking to improve school safety in Texas. Their findings identified Mutualink as the premiere solution for addressing...
The DOJ Report on the Uvalde School Shooting Response: Key Findings
The DOJ Report on the Uvalde School Shooting Response was released last Thursday. The disastrous events that unfolded on May 24, 2022, were and continue to be devastating to the victims, their families, the Uvalde community, and everyone across the country. We hope this report will provide some semblance of closure for those most impacted, and inspire action on all levels to prevent future crises from unfolding in a similar, tragic manner. With a mission...
Navigating the Texas 2023-2025 Safety and Facilities Enhancement (SAFE) Grant Cycles 1 and 2 with Ease
Extension for Cycle 1 If you missed the January 8th deadline for the 2023-2025 Safety and Facilities Enhancement (SAFE) Cycle 1 Grant, you’re in luck! The TEA has announced an extension to January 26th, 2024. Finalize and submit your application by or before then for the opportunity to be one of 700 recipients being awarded a portion of the allocated $821.5M funds. Preparing for Cycle 2 Interested in applying but don’t know how or where...
Connecticut Schools Security Grant Opportunity
Grant Opportunity: Connecticut Department of Emergency Management & Homeland Security Multi-Media School Security Grant Program (MMSSGP) Eligibility: Connecticut Public & Non-public Schools Public Schools: This grant application is for all public schools including (LEAs, RESCs, publicly endowed schools and charter schools Budget/Award Cap: There is no cap for public schools Match: Public schools have a match percentage determined by the wealth index of the town in which they are located. State Technical Schools do not...
Securing Grant Money For Your School Safety Programs
Every year the Department of Justice provides millions of dollars in funding to strengthen and advance school safety through the STOP School Violence Act. It also provides grants to ensure a positive school climate by helping students and teachers recognize, respond quickly to and help prevent acts of violence. There are two key grant opportunities open right now. (STOP) School Violence Grant Program COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) Download our Free Grant Funding Guide...
(Video) Panic Button Installed in Volusia County
(Video) Panic button installed in Volusia County schools It's no secret that COVID-19 made this year's back-to-school season a challenge for students, parents, teachers and school administrators. However, school security professionals in Florida know that the safety of their students encompasses more than the threat of pandemic. It takes a panic alert and emergency communications technology. Lessons learned from the Parkland tragedy, and the shortcomings identified in the report from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High...
School Violence Prevention Program Grant
The COPS Office STOP School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) NOW EXTENDED: The COPS Office has extended the application deadline for the FY20 School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) from April 8, 2020 to April 29, 2020 at 7:59 p.m. EDT due to the potential impact of jurisdictional emergency responses to COVID-19 that may cause reasonable delays for applicants. SCHOOL VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM (SVPP) • Purpose - Provide funding to improve security at schools and on school grounds through the...