New York City has launched a new pilot program that provides a direct connection to selected public school buildings to 911 dispatchers in hopes it will provide more effort towards improving the emergency response times. Mayor Eric Adams and city officials announced this on Monday, describing it as the first program of its kind in the nation.
“For the first time ever in our nation, a public school system will have direct integration with 911 services to ensure that help is on the way within seconds if there is ever an active shooter or weapon-based threat,” Mayor Adams said. “Every parent deserves to know their child is safe in school, and this system gives them that peace of mind.”
“We’ve already taken more than 24,097 illegal guns off our streets, and now we’re making sure our classrooms have the strongest, fastest protection possible,” he continued. “This new Emergency Alert System will protect our students, teachers, and staff, making sure New York City Public Schools have the most secure line of defense possible to keep our schools safe.”
The program will begin with 25 public schools. Each building will be provided with alert devices and technology that allow staff to instantly contact and inform emergency services whenever an immediate threat takes place such as an active shooter or a medical emergency.
According to the city’s officials, the goal of this program is to reduce the time between an incident and first responders arriving on the scene. The direct link allows school staff to contact dispatchers more efficiently.
“This technology will save lives,” Adams said at the news conference. “Every second counts in an emergency, and now our schools will have a faster, more direct line to help.”
The new system won’t be active immediately. Still, it has received a positive response upon its launch thus far.
Safety inside of the schools is one of the biggest concerns for parents in New York. Other city officials have also made statements about this development, emphasizing how this program is an impressive step forward for a better future for the children.
“I commend Mayor Adams for launching this forward-thinking initiative to integrate 911 services directly into our schools,” said Staten Island District Attorney Michael E. McMahon. “In a time when the unthinkable can unfold in an instant, this measure strengthens law enforcement’s ability to respond swiftly and decisively to protect our children and educators.”
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our schools and the well-being of our young people and we must take every possible step to safeguard our future and ensure the public safety of all who learn and work in New York City’s schools,” he continued.
