Wake County schools describe new plain-language emergency protocol and rollout of Rave panic app

Wake County Public Schools officials on Feb. 10 detailed plans to move from code-based alerts to a plain-language Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and outlined progress rolling out the Rave panic-alert and communication app across district properties.

Scott, a Wake County Public Schools official leading the briefing, said the SRP replaces coded terms such as "code red" and "code yellow" with action-focused language — for example, "secure," "hold," "lockdown," "evacuate" and "shelter" — so staff, students and outside responders know exactly what to do. "Plain language tells you a specific action word that you're gonna be easily understanding the action that goes behind it," Scott said, arguing the approach offers more flexibility for varied incidents than the older code-based system.

Scott described the Rave system now in use as a geofenced, staff-facing app that can send a panic alert to the county 911 center, the district command center and the individual who activated the alert; it also supports two-way text so staff can communicate silently during an incident. "It's a lot more than just hitting a button and calling for help," Scott said, describing targeted medical and staff-assist functions in addition to active-shooter responses. The district is using drills to build "muscle memory," he said, and expects voluntary uptake to grow with repeated use.

Board members pressed for operational details. Vice Chair Lester Hershey asked whether the app covers off-campus athletic events; Scott said district property is already geofenced and that the district can add geofences for sites used under interlocal agreements (for example, Sanderson Stadium or other off-campus venues) but added that some locations would require explicit geofencing setup.

Scott walked through SRP examples to clarify how the protocol differs from traditional codes: a "secure" announcement keeps people inside when a nearby, external threat exists; a "hold" is an intermediary status that keeps students in classrooms and clears hallways without a full lockdown; "evacuate" allows controlled exits without triggering fire-alarm panic; and "shelter" is the protective action for tornadoes or similar hazards.

The briefing also covered physical-security work in planning stages, including door contacts, additional cameras, targeted fencing and selective weapon-detection units at some large events. Scott cautioned such projects have financial implications and could be delayed if grant funding or supply costs change.

Scott described the district's long-standing shelter partnership with Wake County Emergency Management, which prepositions supplies and supplies staff for activations; the district provides cafeteria staff and facility support. He said recent winter-weather shelters at Southeast Raleigh High School served more than 100 people and that the county is instrumental in staffing and logistics.

The county manager (identified in the meeting as Elvis) thanked the district and clarified funding responsibilities: generators and other shelter operating costs typically come from county resources, not the district—apital-improvements program. "That is money that comes from the county," the county manager said, adding that the state provides relatively limited funding for these types of local security and shelter expenses.

Procedural actions: the committee voted to adopt the Nov. 5 meeting minutes on a motion by Vice Chair Lester Hershey and a second by Mr. Hegarty; the ayes carried and no roll-call tally was supplied in the transcript. Near the end of the public portion, the committee voted to enter closed session to "formulate plans related to the prevention of school violence through the development of emergency plans" under North Carolina statute §143-318.11(a)(8). The motion to go into closed session was moved by Vice Chair Hershey, seconded by Mr. Hegarty, and carried on aye votes.

What happens next: officials said the district will continue drills and staff training on SRP and Rave, pursue targeted infrastructure projects as funding allows, and take related security matters into closed session for further planning under state statute.