Alyssa’s Alert, synonymously aligned with Alyssa’s Law — legislation (and pending legislation) which aims to improve the response time of law enforcement during emergencies in public schools — is the designation of a mobile panic alert system capable of connecting diverse emergency services technologies to ensure real-time coordination between multiple first responder agencies. All such systems must integrate with local public safety answering point infrastructure to transmit 911 calls and mobile activations.
“Making Minutes Matter” isn’t just a tagline for Think Safe, the company that developed EMMA — Emergency Management Mobile Application. It’s what EMMA does. In fact, the unforgettable tragedy that took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018, was a driving force behind the development of the EMMA. Lori and Ilan Alhadeff, parents of Alyssa Alhadeff who was one of the victims in the mass shooting, made it their mission to create a culture of safety and vigilance in a secure school environment. EMMA aligns with the actions needed to make their mission a reality: POWER (Preparedness, Observation, Willingness to Act, Education, Response).
Meeting the Requirements of Alyssa's Law in Florida
Alyssa’s Law is critical because tragic public school events have shown that improving law enforcement response times is key to making minutes matters. In accordance with Section (s.) 1006.07(4), Florida Statutes (F.S.), all Florida public schools, including charters, must be outfitted with mobile panic alert systems (Alyssa’s Alert) by the start of the 2021-2022 school year. According to this statute Alyssa’s Alert systems must:
- be capable of connecting diverse emergency services technologies to ensure real-time coordination between multiple first responder agencies
- integrate with local public safety answering point infrastructure to transmit 911 calls and mobile activations
- ensure real-time coordination between multiple first responder agencies in a school security emergency
EMMA unequivocally exceeds all of the Alyssa’s Alert requirements — ensuring improved response time and coordination with emergency services — but there is a gap that these requirements alone don't address. EMMA can close the gap.
Exceeding the Requirements of Alyssa's Law — EMMA Helps Where 911 Cannot
We’ve studied the historical timeline of events gathered from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office and other sources following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting on February 14, 2018. By mapping out key responders, key communication and key timelines of the emergency event the gap became clear. The minutes between the 911 notification and arrival of first responders has a significant impact on positive outcomes. EMMA makes these minutes matter too with these critical features:
- Two-Way Communications: Clear continual communication inside to outside and roles/privileges controlling information flow to right administrators and decreasing panic
- GPS Locations: “Hot spot” location-aware EMMA map views by admin/SWAT/911 first responders
- Floor Plans & Asset Locations: Easy resource access by arriving 911/law enforcement on asset locations (stop the bleed kits or supplies for severe bleeding), campus maps, and floor plans
- Clear Directions & Scripts: Direction and script access by administrators for controlling public relations and keeping the calm;
- Push Notifications: Clear parent and student communication, decreasing social media use/press coverage;
- Dashboard: EMMA administrators have the ability to immediately view details on the type of emergency, its location, the user who initiated the event, if 911 was called, and if multiple/similar reports are coming in.
- Automated Response Triage: Unique to EMMA is the ability to monitor user responses. Responses are color-coded to allow administrators to quickly identify the users who have viewed the alerts and their user status or threat level.
Federal Legislation for Alyssa's Law
The following legislation has been introduced:
- H.R.3665 introduced by Rep. Williams, Roger on 07/10/2019 directs the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services within the Department of Justice to award grants to public elementary and secondary schools to (1) conduct independent facility security risk assessments, and (2) make hard security improvements (e.g., video monitoring and alert notification equipment) that are identified as necessary by the risk assessment.
- H.R.3665 introduced by Rep. Williams, Roger on 07/10/2019 directs the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services within the Department of Justice to award grants to public elementary and secondary schools to (1) conduct independent facility security risk assessments, and (2) make hard security improvements (e.g., video monitoring and alert notification equipment) that are identified as necessary by the risk assessment.
- H.R.4606 Introduced 10/04/2019 by Rep. Josh Gottheimer aims to To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require silent alarms in elementary schools and secondary schools, and for other purposes.
Alyssa's Alert: Case Study on the Events Surrounding the Mass Shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on February 14, 2018
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