Orchard Farm School District unanimously voted to adopt the SafeDefend Active Shooter Response System on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. In the wake of several recent school shooting tragedies, Superintendent Tom Muzzey and the district safety team examined a number of methods to increase the safety and security of their students and staff.
Developed by a former elementary principal, the SafeDefend Active Shooter Response System addresses four critical areas needed to protect students and staff:
- reducing law enforcement response time
- ensuring law enforcement and staff had real-time crisis information
- providing the ability for staff to effectively manage the crisis until help arrives
- realizing the biggest threat to our schools is already inside the building
Dr. Tom Muzzey believes school safety is a multi-layered approach. “We need to ensure that the facilities are secure and we can manage our visitors appropriately. In addition, we realize that this does not provide the protection needed inside the building. At a cost of around $100 per life, no other company that we found offers the protection, law enforcement compatibility, empowerment of staff and peace of mind to our community like SafeDefend.”
When the SafeDefend system is activated Orchard Farm staff will have access to easy to use tools recommended by threat assessment experts, law enforcement and emergency responders. The system alerts staff via text to begin lockdown procedures and law enforcement is immediately notified of the building and where the system was activated.
The cost for having the system in every classroom and other areas within all of the district buildings was $259,000. Learn more about the system or watch a video at www.safedefend.com.