The 8 Limitations of Phone Based Apps for Emergency Response in Schools
In any emergency situation on a school campus, effective communication is essential. Whether dealing with student elopement, medical emergencies, altercations, or an active threat to life, it is crucial for school staff to have the ability to call for help in an instant.
While many Silent Panic Alarm Technologies (SPAT) are now available to meet the minimal requirements of Alyssa’s Law for emergency response communications in schools, using phone applications for emergency alert systems in schools can have several downsides that should be considered when evaluating the best solution and building a layered approach for protecting students and staff.
The Downside of Phone Apps:
Reliability of Networks: Dependence on Wi-Fi or cellular networks can lead to connectivity problems during emergencies when reliable communication is critical. Poor signal strength, overloaded Wi-Fi, or network outages can prevent alerts from being sent or received.
User Dexterity During Crisis: In a stressful emergency, the time and dexterity required to unlock a phone, locate the app, and input critical information can lead to delays in notification and response.
According to the International Crisis Incident Stress Foundation Inc. “ Under extreme stress, duress or heightened anxiety, the following physiological changes will occur…Loss of fine motor skills.”
Inaccurate Incident Location Information: Mobile apps use GPS to pinpoint incident locations, but only provide general and broad areas, like the northeast corner of the high school, without identifying specific floors or rooms, which can waste critical response time.
User Engagement: Staff members may not consistently carry their phones or may have them set to silent mode, resulting in missed notifications. This disengagement can hinder effective communication during a crisis.
Battery Life: In emergencies, battery life can be a concern. If staff members' phones are not charged or run out of battery, they may be unable to send alerts when needed.
Distraction and Confusion: Personal devices often receive various notifications, which can lead to confusion and distract users from critical alerts. Important emergency notifications may get lost among other messages.
Adoption Rates & Privacy Concerns: Schools cannot require app usage on personal devices, and staff may have privacy concerns regarding data security and personal information misuse. This lack of full adoption can create gaps in emergency response capabilities.
Limited Functionality: Many mobile applications lack features that are essential for effective emergency communication, such as multi-sensory and redundant alerts, the aforementioned precise location tracking, or integration with other security systems.These downsides emphasize the need for a mobile wearable emergency alert system that offers a more reliable and immediate response in critical situations.
Leave nothing to chance! Learn about the industry leading and comprehensive CENTEGIX Safety Platform, a proven technology for empowering staff to act and respond in critical situations. The Safety Platform currently protects 12K+ locations and over 10m people nationwide.
