Innovative training model drastically cuts emergency response times

In a recent government meeting, discussions centered on enhancing school safety through innovative technology and training for first responders. Maria, a representative from DTI, highlighted the importance of familiarizing first responders with school layouts and emergency protocols. She shared her experience pivoting the company’s focus to scanning schools and integrating first responder information into digital models, a move inspired by a conversation with a local sheriff.

The initiative has already scanned all K-12 schools in Dickinson County, Iowa, and approximately 30 schools in South Dakota. The response from first responders has been overwhelmingly positive, with a SWAT commander expressing a desire for the program to be implemented in every school.

Elliot Barnes, VP of technical services at DTI, presented findings from a trial conducted with a SWAT team, which demonstrated the effectiveness of their digital models in active threat scenarios. The trial revealed that teams with prior knowledge of a threat's location significantly reduced their response times—from over seven minutes to under 30 seconds when given a minute to familiarize themselves with the digital maps.

The meeting underscored the critical need for ongoing training and preparation for first responders, emphasizing that familiarity with school layouts can drastically improve response times in emergencies. The discussion concluded with plans for a demonstration of the scanning model, although details were withheld for security reasons.