Coral Springs and Broward County Schools unveil new wearable emergency alert system to enhance safety for students and staff
Coral Springs, Florida – In a major leap forward for school safety, Coral Springs and Broward County schools are set to introduce a cutting-edge wearable emergency alert system, becoming the first in Florida to offer three distinct methods for quickly alerting first responders in critical situations. This new system, designed to improve response times during emergencies, will be rolled out for teachers and staff in the 2025-2026 school year.
The wearable badges, which were unveiled last week by school officials, are equipped with a simple button that can be pressed in times of emergency. Once activated, the badges will instantly notify authorities, providing them with the precise location of the emergency. This addition builds on existing safety measures, including Alyssa’s Alert and the SaferWatch app, creating a robust system designed to ensure fast and effective responses to emergencies.
“Broward County Public Schools continues to lead the way in creating safe schools for our students and our staff,” said Ernie Lozano, the district’s chief safety and security officer. The implementation of wearable badges marks an important step forward in enhancing the district’s comprehensive safety measures.
Alyssa’s Alert, a system mandated by Florida law, requires that schools be equipped with a panic alert system capable of notifying law enforcement agencies directly in the event of an emergency. The new wearable badges complement this system by enabling staff to activate a distress signal instantly, providing first responders with not only the alert but also the exact location of the emergency. This development comes at a crucial time, as the district works tirelessly to ensure that every layer of security is addressed to protect students and staff.
“It is an added layer of security that shares accurate, precise, and immediate information to first responders when seconds count,” said Debra Hixon, chair of the Broward County School Board. This statement highlights the critical importance of having precise, real-time data when every second matters. The wearable badges offer an additional safety tool that ensures the right help can be dispatched promptly to the scene.
The urgency of quick action in emergencies is emphasized by several district leaders, especially in terms of the impact that response times can have on outcomes. “We know that time equals life, and the faster that we can get help on the scene, the more lives that we will save,” said Lori Alhadeff, a member of the Broward County School Board. This sentiment underscores the idea that timely intervention in emergencies, especially in a school setting, can make all the difference.
Superintendent Howard Hepburn also expressed the district’s ongoing commitment to safety and innovation. “Desktop, mobile app, and the wearable badge,” he said, referencing the multiple ways in which Broward County schools are innovating to ensure the safety of staff and students. “We’re continuing to innovate when it comes to safety and security for our staff, for our students, and pretty much every building in our district.”
The district’s focus on utilizing technology to enhance safety is part of a broader effort to ensure that schools are prepared for any emergency, from medical incidents to lockdowns. By incorporating wearable badges into their safety protocols, Broward County and Coral Springs are taking proactive steps to improve the overall security environment for students and staff.
In the years ahead, this new system is expected to serve as a model for other districts across the state and country, demonstrating how technological innovation can be used to protect those in school environments. As the district moves forward with its implementation, students, staff, and parents alike can rest assured that their schools are equipped with the latest tools to keep them safe in times of crisis.
With the addition of wearable badges to its already robust safety measures, Coral Springs and Broward County schools are setting a new standard for school safety, ensuring that emergencies are met with swift, informed, and effective responses.
