JOSHUA, Texas – The Joshua Independent School District has installed the award-winning Rapid Responder® crisis management system to help district security and first responders protect students and staff during various types of emergencies. Rapid Responder by Prepared Response, Inc. provides police, fire and other first responders with secure and instant access to critical campus information including floor plans, aerial and 360 degree imagery and other information via a laptop computer. All of the district’s elementary, middle, high school and administration facilities will be protected by the program. Several emergency preparedness training classes will also be conducted for the district by Prepared Response. The district paid for the system and training through a U.S. Department of Education grant.
“The Joshua ISD is excited to ‘roll out’ this new program,” said John Grigsby, assistant superintendent for administrative services. “A great deal of time and effort has been given to this project so that we can continually provide instant, current and useful information to our first responders in an emergency situation. When an incident happens, time is of the essence. During a crisis is no time to have to make up emergency plans. This program brings all of our first responders and key district personnel together and communicates instantly the information everyone needs to deal with an incident.”
“Prepared Response is pleased to work with the Joshua Independent School District to further improve their response to emergencies,” said Jim Finnell, president and CEO of Prepared Response. “Protecting students and staff is the number one priority for the district. By installing Rapid Responder and utilizing the emergency preparedness training, Joshua ISD is working hard to do everything it can to ensure safety in its schools.”
Rapid Responder has been used successfully during a campus shooting, bomb threats, lock downs and other emergency situations on school campuses throughout the country. The solution is certified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s SAFETY Act as a “Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology.” Rapid Responder is being used in 12 states with over 5,000 end users including more than 500 public safety agencies and 275 school districts. This system was recognized in the Harvard/Noblis Innovations Award in Homeland Security that was presented to the State of Washington in September 2007 and is endorsed by the National Sheriffs’ Association.
JISD Sept. 23, 2008 press release
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