The following video and transcript are from a presentation by Rob Kent, Regional Director at CENTEGIX, on school safety and emergency response solutions. In this session, he explains the limitations of mobile panic apps and introduces the CrisisAlert system as a more effective alternative.

CENTEGIX Safety Platform™ featuring CrisisAlert™ Demo w/ Regional Director, Rob Kent

Speaker: Rob Kent, Regional Director, CENTEGIX

Your team has decided to invest in school safety, specifically in emergency notification solutions. As part of your due diligence, you’ll talk to us and other vendors offering similar capabilities. Inevitably, you’ll come across companies that provide mobile app-based panic button solutions—there are many out there.

Challenges with Mobile App-Based Panic Buttons

We’ve replaced dozens of these solutions, and the reason is simple: while they sound good in theory, they come with significant challenges, which generally fall into four categories:

  1. Low Adoption Rates
    • Schools don’t own teachers’ phones, so they can’t force them to install an app.
    • If you operate in a state with strong unions, this becomes an even bigger issue.
    • Even in districts that do a great job encouraging adoption, the usage rate is typically under 10%.
  2. Reliability Issues
    • These apps depend on Wi-Fi or cellular service, yet schools often have dead zones.
    • Wi-Fi coverage is often inconsistent, especially outdoors on campus.
    • If a phone isn’t connected, triggering an alert becomes a multi-step process, causing delays.
  3. Ineffectiveness for Law Enforcement
    • A triggered alert drops a pin on Google Maps, pointing to the building but not the specific location inside.
    • If a school has multiple floors, GPS cannot determine which floor the alert is coming from.
    • This lack of precision makes mobile apps virtually useless for responders already inside the building.
  4. Human Factors in Emergencies
    • During a crisis, whether it’s a medical emergency or an active threat, the body goes into fight-or-flight mode.
    • People struggle to remember passwords or locate an app they rarely use.
    • In real-life situations, these apps are mainly used for drills but rarely for actual emergencies.

The Solution: CENTEGIX CrisisAlert

To address these issues, CENTEGIX developed CrisisAlert, a badge-based panic button solution that eliminates the problems associated with mobile apps.

CENTEGIX-school-safety-crisisalert-badge

Key Features of CrisisAlert

  1. Simplicity
    • The badge has a single button—no need for charging, app installation, or training.
    • If there’s an emergency, the user simply presses the button—no passwords, no searching for an app.
  2. Total Campus Coverage
    • Covers every part of the campus, including classrooms, parking lots, athletic fields, and playgrounds.
    • Uses our independent network, not Wi-Fi or cellular, ensuring consistent performance.
  3. Precision Location Tracking (Only When Activated)
    • Identifies the specific location, including floor level.
    • Unlike GPS, it accurately pinpoints where help is needed.
    • Important: This system does not track individuals. It only reports a user’s location when they actively press the button.
  4. Automated Emergency Response
    • If a worst-case scenario occurs, such as an active shooter, CrisisAlert integrates with lights and sounds to instantly notify the entire campus.
    • Teachers initiate lockdown procedures within seconds, rather than waiting for an intercom announcement.

How It Works

CrisisAlert badges serve two main functions:

  1. Staff Alerts (Day-to-Day Emergencies)
    • Covers everyday incidents such as medical emergencies, fights, students running away, or aggressive visitors.
    • A staff member presses the badge three times to send an alert.
    • The badge vibrates, confirming the alert was sent, allowing staff to focus on the emergency.
    • Within seconds, the school’s response team is notified and sees the exact location on the command console.
    • Safety assets like AEDs, first-aid kits, and emergency exits are also displayed on the console for faster response.
    • Used an average of twice per school per week—this is a system teachers actively rely on.
  2. Lockdown Alerts (Worst-Case Scenarios)
    • If an active shooter or major threat is detected, the user presses the button repeatedly (8+ presses).
    • Within three to five seconds, the entire campus is alerted through:
      • Flashing strobes installed in classrooms and hallways.
      • Automated intercom messages announcing the lockdown.
      • Screen takeovers displaying the lockdown message.
    • Everyone instantly knows there’s an emergency, without waiting for an administrator’s announcement.

Hardware & Technology

CrisisAlert operates on a dedicated wireless mesh network using LoRaWAN and Bluetooth Low Energy technology. This ensures:

  • Independent operation (no reliance on Wi-Fi or cellular networks).
  • Long-range coverage (ideal for large campuses).
  • Redundancy (if one device fails, the system heals itself).

The system includes four key components:

  1. Badges – Worn by staff, providing instant alerting.
  2. Strobes – Installed in classrooms and hallways for visual alerts.
  3. Alert Beacons – Used in outdoor areas like parking lots and athletic fields.
  4. Gateways – Installed outside the school for redundancy and communication.

Proactive Monitoring & Maintenance

  • CrisisAlert operates on a Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS) model, meaning CENTEGIX handles all maintenance.
  • CENTEGIX monitors every single device in real-time, tracking battery life and performance.
  • Schools don’t need to worry about IT or infrastructure—the system is fully managed by CENTEGIX.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About CENTEGIX Crisis Alert

What is the CENTEGIX CrisisAlert system?

CrisisAlert is a wearable emergency notification system designed for schools and other public institutions. Staff members wear a badge that can instantly alert administrators and first responders to incidents such as medical emergencies, fights, or campus-wide threats—no Wi-Fi, cellular, or verbal communication required.

How does the CrisisAlert badge work?

The badge features two alert levels:

  • Staff Alert: Press three times to notify administrators of non-life-threatening situations (e.g., student altercation or assistance needed).
  • Campus-Wide Alert: Press and hold to initiate a full lockdown with audio and visual cues throughout the building.

The system uses proprietary radio-frequency technology, ensuring precise room-level location accuracy without relying on Wi-Fi or cellular service.

Is the platform compliant with Alyssa’s Law?

Yes. CENTEGIX CrisisAlert meets or exceeds the requirements of Alyssa’s Law by providing silent panic alert systems that enable immediate response and communication with law enforcement.

Does the system integrate with existing security infrastructure?

Yes. CrisisAlert can integrate with intercom systems, security cameras, access controls, and emergency notification protocols to provide a comprehensive school safety platform.

How is CrisisAlert different from other wearable panic buttons?

Unlike smartphone apps or Wi-Fi-dependent tools, CrisisAlert works without the need for external networks. It offers:

  • Room-level location accuracy
  • Visual and audible alerts building-wide
  • A dedicated, easy-to-use wearable with no apps, logins, or training hurdles

Can this system be used for non-emergency incidents?

Absolutely. The Staff Alert function is ideal for common school-day incidents such as student behavioral issues, medical needs, or calls for backup. It reduces reliance on radios or overhead announcements, keeping learning environments calm and controlled.

Is training required to use the CrisisAlert badge?

Minimal training is required. The badge is intuitive: press it to get help. Many schools find that staff adoption rates are near 100% within weeks of implementation.

CENTEGIX CrisisAlert for Instant, Reliable Emergency Response

CrisisAlert provides a simple, reliable, and effective emergency response system designed to keep schools safe. Unlike mobile apps, it ensures:

  • Instant activation with a single button press.
  • Full campus coverage, including precise location tracking.
  • Automated lockdown procedures in seconds.
  • A dedicated, monitored network with no IT burden for schools.

By investing in a wearable panic button solution rather than an unreliable mobile app, schools can provide teachers and staff with a lifeline in emergencies—one that actually works when it matters most.

Ready to enhance your school’s safety? Call Higgins today at (800) 486-1312 to learn how the CENTEGIX Safety Platform and the CrisisAlert wearable mobile panic button can provide instant, reliable emergency response for your campus!