New crisis system adopted
CARMICHAELS – In the event of an emergency in the Carmichaels Area School District, emergency first-responders will know what they’re up against before they even enter school doors, thanks to a new Crisis Response Information System implemented last week. CRIS software provides emergency first-responders critical information to help deal with any emergency from fire and evacuation to worst-case scenarios, according to CRIS literature.
The software shows a layout of the school campus and floor plans of every floor in the three schools on campus. It contains information about evacuation routes, points of entry and exit, 360-degree interior views of rooms inside the building, locations of hazardous materials and emergency shut-off values and more, according to Jim Logue of ISM Services Inc., the Carmichaels-based manufacturer of the product.
In addition, the software will provide first-responders with faculty information, school emergency plans and key contact information, according to CRIS literature.
On Wednesday, representatives from the Greene County first responder community attended a kick-off event at Carmichaels Area Elementary Center to receive copies of the software and watch a demonstration of its capabilities.
Those in attendance included representatives from the Carmichaels-Cumberland Township Fire Department, state police, township and borough police, Southwest Regional Medical Center in Waynesburg and state Rep. Bill DeWeese, D-Waynesburg.
The CRIS should give parents peace of mind that their children are safe and that in an emergency situation emergency personnel will know what to do, according to Superintendent Craig Baily.
Implementing the CRIS system took two years of planning and collaboration between the school district and project manager Eric Boris of Boris Consulting Inc. of Waynesburg and ISM Services Inc.
The program was funded primarily through state grants acquired by DeWeese.
“We’re intrigued by this system, and Bill has always supported the kids. We look forward to learning more about it,” said Sharon Rodavich, outreach director for DeWeese.
The program will be updated yearly to account for any changes to the schools, according to Baily. The new program has hit on exactly what is needed for emergency responders to efficiently respond to emergencies, Baily said.
“We can show them what’s beyond the door before they even enter,” Baily said.
This newest security measure adds to the already sophisticated security measures in place.
The district already has 64 security cameras in place inside the buildings with live feeds that are constantly recorded. In addition, every staff member in the district has a flip folder that provides a quick reference of procedures for how to react in every emergency situation, Baily said.
Additional cameras are being added in the district to bring the total number to 118 cameras inside and outside the buildings and campus, Baily said.