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District rolls out emergency alert app for staff; monthly drills included
Summary
District officials demonstrated a duress/emergency alert platform that lets staff send live alerts, share room-level safety status, and coordinate with dispatch and law enforcement; the district is testing the system during monthly drills and has rolled it out to teachers, administrators and select staff.
Nate Westcott, the district safety speaker, and other staff demonstrated a digital emergency alert and response platform to the Lincoln County School District No. 2 board that district leaders have begun rolling out to staff and testing during monthly drills.
Westcott described the tool as a "digital emergency alert and response platform" that allows any staff member to initiate an alert from a school-issued device or mobile phone, select a location and status (safe/unsafe/medical) and start an internal chat. The system displays room-level safety statuses on a live map for building administrators, the district office and first responders. "The alert will notify administration both in the buildings, but also here at the district office. Our SRO gets all alerts. For a lockdown, it goes right to dispatch," Westcott said.
During the board demonstration Westcott showed a map where green indicates a room reporting safe, red indicates an unsafe location and blue indicates a request for medical assistance. He said the district practices the app in monthly drills and that during drills dispatch confirmed receipt of alerts. The app can also show law enforcement when rooms are cleared and provide staff rosters so dispatchers or officers can call specific staffers if needed.
Trustees asked who receives the app and the district said teachers, administrators and secretaries have been enrolled first; some schools are preparing devices or accounts for aides and substitutes. Bus drivers do not receive the app to avoid distraction while driving, but transportation staff have access. Westcott emphasized that staff should take immediate safety actions first (lock doors, lights out, shelter) and use the app after the immediate actions to avoid distraction.
No board action was required; the presentation served as an update on safety investments and the district said it will continue monthly practice and expand access as appropriate.
