US Schools Face Major Problems Relating To Lack Of Reliable Radio Communication

Uvalde School Shooting Has Shed Light On Communication Failures

On May 24, 2022, 19 students and 2 teachers were killed in a school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX. Since then, politicians and security pundits have been discussing what happened and if – or how – it could have been prevented. 

The Interim report of the Investigative Committee on the Robb Elementary Shooting of the Texas House of Representatives found that Robb Elementary “did not adequately prepare for the risk of an armed intruder on campus.” “Upon entering the building, the officers tried but were unable to communicate on their radios.”

They had no idea that there were students and staff still trapped in the room with the gunman and who were actively calling 911.

Officers were stationed inside the building for an hour with no communication from the command station outside or with each other and it ultimately took 71 minutes before the first victim received any medical treatment.

Inadequate In-Building Radio Coverage Endangers Students

Many schools now have metal detectors, school resource officers (SROs), and other safety measures in place to prevent these tragedies from occurring. But there is one aspect of school safety that is often overlooked: radio coverage.

In schools around the country, SROs and school administrators are realizing that the wall of security around their school is missing this essential component. Poor radio coverage inside school buildings is all too common, and it leaves a gap in security that cannot be ignored.

The Problem is Pervasive

Unfortunately, lack of communication availability within schools – and other large facilities – is an incredibly common occurrence due to the fact that they’re constructed with concrete walls and steel roofs. In fact, in a test of 557 K-12 schools across the country, 52% of them failed at least 1 floor of in-building testing as it relates to communication across school campuses.

 

Another Case With A Much Better Outcome

In 2019, Powell High School in Knox County, Tennessee, realized exactly how important radio communications are within a school. There were load repetitive "Pops" inside the school, many reported the sound as gunfire at the school.  When School Resource Officers and other First Responders entered the school, they realized their radios weren’t working within the building.

Fortunately, the reports of gunfire were mistaken. It turned out the loud pops came from a malfunctioning air conditioning unit, and no one was in danger.

But the event spurred the Knox County Commission to pass a resolution,  the following week, asking the school system to begin signal strength testing at schools.  Commissioner Justin Biggs, who introduced the resolution stated: "I realized we have the possibility of a nightmare on our hands. ... I hope we never have a school shooting (or) something,” he said. “But 15 or 20 minutes in that world is a lifetime. You’re putting a dollar amount on how much our emergency staff and kids’ lives cost. It’s a scary situation.”

Determined to take action, the Knox County School District – which consists of 90 school facilities – conducted a Facilities Grid Test study to investigate the signal strength and quality within every building. With that data in hand, the District was able to design and deploy a Bi-Directional Amplifier, with a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that now provides reliable SRO and First Responder communication in every building throughout the District.

How To Eliminate School Dead-Zones

Since 2009, the International Fire and Building Codes have dictated that all public buildings must be assessed for inadequate public safety radio coverage, and where shortcomings are found must be remediated.

The way to fix SRO and First Responder radios not working in your school, is to send the radio signals not through the thick materials, but around them.  Emergency Responder Radio Communication Systems (ERRCS), often called Bi-Directional Amplifiers Systems (BDAs), use a electronic hub combined with a series of antennas to pick up, strengthen, and route radio signals throughout the school, so that SRO and First Responder radios will work from anywhere inside a building, while also being able to communicate with other First Responders and Emergency Dispatch officials,outside of the building.

TESTING - Is The First Step  -  NOW IS THE TIME

In order to determine if your schools or other District buildings have radio communication problems, the first step is to conduct a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) test on ALL school building, especially those where students attend.  Only the RSSI Grid Test employs the necessary technical equipment, utilizes appropriately trained and licensed personnel, and conforms to the regulations set forth by Local, State, and Federal  authorities. Contact us today for a FREE Testing consultation.

About US -  Innovative Security Solutions, LLC

At Innovative Security Solutions, we care deeply about the safety of our students, teachers, administrators, as well as our brave SROs and First Responders.  We believe every school, college, and university should understand the challenges of radio coverage in schools, and be equipped with an adequate ERRCS system that enables clear and constant emergency responder radio coverage.

Innovative Security Solutions would like to partner with your school district, college, or university to provide the first step in this safety journey...Testing you facilities.  If radio signal deficiencies are found, we can also offer solutions to remedy the signal deficiency. 

Innovative Security Solutions, LLC. WILL COME TO YOU !!    We offer a FREE, 30-40 minute informational presentation to all education institutions, entitled: School Safety - The Radio Communication Problem. 

Topics Covered Include: 

            1) Understanding the Communication Problem in Schools

            2) Type of Testing Required

            3) How to Remediate Dead-Zones, if Required

            4) Review of Regulations  - Local, State, and Federal

Click here to schedule your FREE informational presentation or call for more information.  Take the first step in protecting your students and all others who enter your school campuses. Call or Click TODAY.

Innovative Security Solution, LLC has been in business providing Life Safety solutions since 1997.  Contact us Today.