During the 2020 Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 70, known as Alyssa’s Law, that requires the installation of panic alarms that are directly linked to law enforcement in every Florida school. Governor Ron DeSantis signed it into law and the Legislature allocated $6.4 million in recurring state funds to ensure every Florida public school has this critical life-saving tool.
Alyssa’s Law was named after Alyssa Alhadeff who was massacred in the Parkland, Florida school shooting.
To comply with the law, all Florida public schools, including charters, must be outfitted with mobile panic alert systems by the start of the 2021-2022 school year. The systems will enable all school staff to silently and easily contact law enforcement to respond in the case of an on-campus threat or crisis.
Through the procurement process, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) identified 10 approved compliance providers, including SchoolGuard by Guard911, and negotiated fixed pricing for Florida school districts and charter schools. DOE will cover the costs of agreed-upon services provided by an approved vendor, up to each district’s allocation ($2,000 per campus).
Choosing a Panic Alert System
Thanks to the FDOE procurement process and pre-approved vendors, Florida schools can confidently choose a vendor that they know meets the law’s requirements.
SchoolGuard by Guard911 complies with all FDOE requirements and offers the following benefits:
– Speed-dials 911 for the “activator” to report the emergency
– Sends a campus-wide alert to all users while the activator waits to speak to 911
– Displays a mapped location of the armed intruder alert
– Allows principals and select staff to send a group message or warning to all SchoolGuard users
– Alerts properties in a 5-mile radius (other organizations that are also protected with Guard911 are notified for situational awareness)
– GUARD911 EXCLUSIVE: Instantly notifies officers in the Hero911 Network
Alyssa’s Law Logistics
When you choose your vendor, the contract will include a form that should be submitted to the Office of Safe Schools to formally identify each district’s choice. (Contact us to initiate that contract process.)
Schools and county 911 coordinators should coordinate on implementation and work with the selected vendor to have services in place by the start of the school year. Contracts are 36 months with options for renewal up to an additional three one-year terms.
Panic Alert System Reimbursement
FDOE funds will be paid directly to vendors once we submit a notice of services completed and the district and 911 coordinator approve performance measures.
Districts will only be reimbursed for services provided by the approved vendors, including SchoolGuard by Guard911.
Make Sure to Comply by August 2021
School districts can start working to get a compliant panic alert system in place immediately, and the deadline is the start of the 2021-2022 school year.
Guard911 can have SchoolGuard up and running in districts in approximately 24 hours. But don’t delay—start the contract process today.
Banner photo courtesy of makeourschoolssafe.org
