From the Chief’s Corner: Protecting our Loved Ones - Why the SBC Zeroes in on School Safety & “9-1-1 Inside”

Reflections from the Safer Buildings Coalition's 2024 Tech and Policy Summit

By Chief Alan Perdue (ret.), SBC Executive Director

Posted on July 18, 2024

As I reflect on the the many insightful and eye-opening discussions that took place at the Safer Buildings Coalition's Tech and Policy Summit in Washington DC resonate, two key topics demand our attention and action as an organization: school safety and "9-1-1 inside."

School Safety: A Priority Worth Pursuing
Why would an organization focused on eliminating wireless dead spots inside buildings take a keen interest in school safety? Well, the simple answer is: Of course we would. Schools are buildings; there are tens of thousands of them; (far too) many of the school buildings suffer from poor indoor connectivity – and, most important, they are home to our most precious gifts five days a week, most of the year. Children are often at their most vulnerable while inside buildings – in schools. Schools – as we have witnessed again and again – have also been the locations of some of the most harrowing events in our Nation’s history – and we know that communication failures have contributed to these tragedies – as first responders have been unable to communicate effectively – and people trapped inside the buildings have been unable to call for help.

If the Safer Buildings Coalition can contribute to make schools safer, then we will. The keynote from Make Our Schools Safe founder Lori Alhadeff and the panel on school safety signaled the first step in a major and lasting focus on school safety for SBC. Through thought leadership, lobbyism, education and cross-field collaboration, we must – and will – work to push for states implementing safety enhancing resources like Alyssa’s Law and other communication solutions that help improve connectivity.

"Our Radios Won't Work"

Chief Perdue explains the issues that can lead to communication failures during school emergencies.

On a more technical level, the answer lies in understanding how crucial public safety agencies assess community risks. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), schools are identified as critical target hazards due to their role in serving the public, preserving community welfare, and supporting emergency response and recovery efforts.

"Schools are more than just buildings; they are sanctuaries where the lives of our children, teachers, and staff intersect daily. Ensuring robust communication infrastructure within these institutions isn't merely a convenience—it's a necessity."

Schools are more than just buildings; they are sanctuaries where the lives of our children, teachers, and staff intersect daily. Ensuring robust communication infrastructure within these institutions isn't merely a convenience—it's a necessity that directly impacts our ability to respond swiftly and effectively during emergencies.

"9-1-1 Inside": Connecting People in Critical Moments
Consider this: in the United States alone, approximately 240 million calls are made to 9-1-1 each year, with a significant majority (over 80%) originating from wireless devices. This statistic underscores the vital role that wireless communications play in our daily lives, especially in critical situations where every second counts.

"Imagine a scenario where a loved one faces an emergency inside a building with inadequate wireless coverage. The inability to connect with emergency services due to poor or nonexistent signal could mean the difference between life and death. This highlights the urgent need to prioritize and enhance in-building wireless communications infrastructure across all types of buildings, including schools, offices, malls, and residential complexes."

Imagine a scenario where a loved one faces an emergency inside a building with inadequate wireless coverage. The inability to connect with emergency services due to poor or nonexistent signal could mean the difference between life and death. This highlights the urgent need to prioritize and enhance in-building wireless communications infrastructure across all types of buildings, including schools, offices, malls, and residential complexes.

The challenges we face today in ensuring reliable in-building communications remind me of a poignant line from the 1967 film "Cool Hand Luke": "What we've got here is failure to communicate." It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences when communication fails us, particularly in emergencies.
“9-1-1 Inside” – as laid out at the Summit – is the Safer Buildings Coalition’s rallying cry – a bold call-to-action that communicates to industry, policy makers, building owners – everyone concerned with keeping the public safe – that calls – or texts (yes, you can text 9-1-1) – for help – from inside any building, anywhere, anytime must go out and reach first responders. Which carrier fields the call, which technology is installed to enable the call is not important – as long as the calls gets through. That is “9-1-1 Inside”!

Moving Forward: Learn, Do, and Advocate
After attending the summit, it's clear that we all have a responsibility to act. We must continue to learn about the technological solutions and policy frameworks that can improve in-building communications. We must do something—whether it's advocating for better regulations, investing in infrastructure upgrades, or implementing new technologies. And most importantly, we must ensure that others feel the urgency of this issue, understanding that it affects not only public safety responders but each and every one of us.

Together, let's commit to advancing the conversation on school safety and "9-1-1 inside." By doing so, we can contribute to a safer, more resilient future where effective communication inside buildings is no longer a luxury, but a fundamental right that saves lives.

As we reflect on the insights shared at the summit, let's harness our collective knowledge and determination to drive meaningful change. The safety of our communities depends on it. #feelsafeinside with #9-1-1inside

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