For this reason, the 2024 SBC In-Building Wireless Tech & Policy Summit put special emphasis on school safety. We were honored to host Lori Alhadeff, co-founder of MAKE OUR SCHOOLS SAFE, who delivered a moving keynote. Many attendees in the packed auditorium struggled to hold back tears as Lori shared her incomprehensible loss and how her bereavement and grief inspired Alyssa's Law and her non-profit organization's tireless work to make schools a safe place for our children.
Panel Explores How Wireless Connectivity Is a Critical Aspect of School Safety
Lori's keynote led in to panel discussion — School Safety and the Critical Role of Wireless Connectivity. Moderator Eric Toenjes, Graybar, and panelists Chief Alan Perdue, Safer Buildings Coalition; Tim Hay, Florida Dept. of Education, Office of Safe Schools & John Chiaramonte, Mission Critical Partners explored state and federal legislation (such as Alyssa's Law) that offer help to schools to ensure that critical communications are always available inside school buildings during emergencies. The speakers passionately discussed what the in-building wireless sector must do to alleviate the critical public safety communications shortcomings that have contributed to mass casualty incidents — and how industry; national, regional and local officials; first responders; and grass roots organizations like MOSS, together, can lead efforts to make our schools safe for our precious children.
"Listening to Lori’s story is one of the more difficult things to hear, but it is also one of the most important. The purpose she has found in grief is inspiring. It lays out a clear goal for the Safer Buildings Coalition to focus on making schools safer by improving response time and situational awareness through communications," Eric Toenjes states.
Tragic Loss Inspires MOSS' Mission
Lori and Ilan Alhadeff lost their beautiful 14-year old daughter, Alyssa, to the brutal shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Valentine’s Day 2018. In their grief, Lori and Ilan founded MAKE OUR SCHOOLS SAFE (MOSS) so that no other parent has to endure the pain they live with. "I started Make Our Schools Safe because my daughter Alyssa was killed in her English classroom. I am using my pain to advocate for school safety across the country, ensuring that no other parent has to endure the loss of their child in a place that should be safe," Lori Alhadeff explains.
"I was so excited to participate in the SBC Summit, where we discussed the crucial topic of school safety. This event provided an excellent opportunity to share our mission and initiatives, including the nationwide implementation of Alyssa's Law and the establishment of MOSS Clubs in high schools. Together, we can work towards creating a safer environment for all students and staff."
Lori Alhadeff
One of the key initiatives of MOSS is advocacy for Alyssa's Law. Alyssa’s Law is critical legislation addressing the issue of law enforcement response time when a life-threatening emergency occurs because time equals life. The law calls for the installation of silent panic alarms that are directly linked to law enforcement, so in case of any emergency they will get on the scene as quickly as possible, take down a threat and triage any victims.
And the work of MOSS and others is bearing fruit: At this time Alyssa's Law has been passed in the following US states: Florida, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas & Utah. Alyssa's Law bills have been introduced in several other states.
"We are excited to announce that Alyssa's Law has just passed in Oklahoma, making it the seventh state to adopt this important legislation," Lori Alhadeff states.
For a complete overview of the current state of this crucial initiative, please visit makeourschoolssafe.org/alyssas-law/#
DONATE TO MAKE OUR SCHOOLS SAFE
We hope you will help Lori & Make Our Schools Safe continue to make a difference with a generous donation to their cause. SBC WILL MATCH DONATIONS UP TO A TOTAL OF $2500!
VIDEO: LORI ALHADEFF INTERVIEW
Lori Alhadeff talks to Safer Buildings Coalition Managing Director John Foley about her grief, the work of Make Our Schools Safe and how we can all make a difference as we seek to end gun violence. Watch interview here.
Following Lori Alhadeff's keynote, Jim Bugel, President of the FirstNet Program at AT&T, presented a substantial donation from AT&T to MOSS.
“With FirstNet, America's public safety network, AT&T is committed to making a meaningful difference in how first responders keep our schools safe," Bugel said. "New FirstNet innovations and enhancements to in-building connectivity are already helping improve school safety in districts across the country. As public safety's partner, we are honored to support Make Our Schools Safe in their similar mission of protecting students, teachers, and creating secure school environments. And as technology continues to advance, we will find new ways to reliably connect first responders and the communities they protect.”
Thanks to AT&T for helping to make a difference on this crucial matter!
School Safety will be a major focus of the Safer Buildings Coalition's work in the present and near- and long-term future. Stay tuned for educational and informational content focused on Alyssa's Law, in-building wireless technology, and much more as we work together to make our schools safe.
