CFSS Announces Rave Panic Button

School Communications Directors: 

When an emergency happens at a school, minutes can make a world of difference. To reduce the time it takes for an emergency response, the Center for Safer Schools announces the launch of the Rave Panic Button, which the N.C. Department of Public Safety has made available to all public K-12 school districts and K-12 charter schools across the state. 

The Panic Button – an app created by Framingham, Mass.-based Rave Mobile Safety – alerts authorities to an active shooter, medical emergency, fire or other crisis. The app simultaneously sends out a notification to other teachers and staff on campus. 

Details were discussed Monday, Feb. 6 during an N.C. Panic Button Outreach Working Group meeting in Raleigh. Along with Rave representatives, attendees included officials with the CFSS, Department of Public Instruction and DPS, along with members of the N.C. Sheriff’s Association, N.C. Association of Chiefs of Police and CFSS School Safety Advisory Council. 

The Panic Button is mandated by the General Assembly – Senate Bill 105, Section 19E.8.(a) and General Statute 115C-105.51(c) – which appropriated $4.4 million for implementation, with $2.3 million being used for the vendor. The app has already been implemented in Catawba, Cherokee, Henderson and Hoke county schools, as well as in states such as Oklahoma and New Mexico.

The Panic Button is free and optional; school districts and charter schools have to opt in. The app also doesn’t replace standard operating procedures or emergency operations plans. Rather, it is another part of a comprehensive safety plan. 

For school districts and charter schools to adopt the Panic Button, an authorized person must fill out an online form. Rave will then provide a 60-minute training. According to Rave, the process from signup to implementation can take as little as a week. 

The Center for Safer Schools hopes the Rave Panic Button will never have to be used, but we believe it will be a great asset to school districts and charter schools. The Panic Button also will be discussed at the PIO call on Wednesday, Feb. 8. 

For more information, visit https://www.ravemobilesafety.com/ncpanicbutton.