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Smith County board schedules demonstration of realtime safety device after presentation
Summary
The Smith County Board of Education voted to host a demonstration of a wearable real-time safety device after hearing a detailed presentation from Mike Dunn, a presenter with more than 30 years of law-enforcement experience.
The Smith County Board of Education voted to host a demonstration of a wearable real-time school safety device after hearing a detailed presentation from Mike Dunn, a presenter with more than 30 years of law-enforcement experience.
Dunn told the board the device provides an instant live audio and video feed from a classroom to 911 dispatchers and first responders, includes GPS location and two-way encrypted communications, and is backed by FirstNet with Starlink redundancy. "The first responders, as they're responding, they know what they're responding to," Dunn said, describing how the feed would reduce the "fog of war" that police face in active incidents.
Board members said seeing the equipment in operation was the priority. A board member who has led safety drills said a demonstration would let members compare the district's current system with the new device. "Every second that clicks by is one more round that's fired off," the board member said during debate, urging the board to evaluate technologies that reduce response time.
Dunn described additional features that the board asked about: two-button verification to avoid accidental activations; local tour-director–style support in deployment scenarios; gunshot-decibel detection; a lightweight form factor (he estimated about 4 ounces); and daily encrypted messaging that would replace some uses of personal cell phones. He also said grants and federal programs could offset costs and that other Tennessee entities have piloted the system.
After discussion the board made and seconded a motion to host a demonstration; members agreed to schedule it after the holiday season and to work with staff (Tammy/Tracy) to set logistics and time. The board asked staff to arrange two demonstration days so members can see the district's current system side-by-side with the vendor device.
Next steps: staff will coordinate dates with the presenter and report scheduling details to the board. The vote authorizes a nonbinding demonstration only; no procurement or contract was approved at the meeting.
