Summary is AI-generated, newsdesk-reviewed
  • NYC's new Emergency Alert System offers instant school communication with first responders, enhancing safety.
  • System reduces emergency response times to under 10 seconds, improving life-safety communications.
  • 25 NYC schools to feature direct 911 integration by 2025-2026, setting national safety standard.

SOS Technologies has announced a new collaboration with New York City to implement its innovative "Emergency Alert System" (EAS) within the city's public schools.

This system, marking a significant advancement in life safety and emergency communication, offers rapid, seamless connectivity between educational institutions and emergency responders.

It significantly reduces notification times from several minutes to less than ten seconds, aiming to enhance the safety of students and staff in active-threat situations.

Launch at Spring Creek campus

The Emergency Alert System was introduced at Spring Creek campus in Brooklyn, marking it as the first school building in the United States to integrate directly with 911 first responder services.

This rollout is set to expand in the 2025-2026 school year to encompass 25 school buildings, including 51 public schools across New York City's five boroughs.

World's largest public school system implementation

This initiative facilitates immediate communication with emergency services such as the NYPD

NYC, home to approximately 1.8 million students and school staff, hosts the world's largest public school system.

This initiative facilitates immediate communication with emergency services such as the NYPD, FDNY, and EMS, thereby abolishing delays and significantly enhancing emergency response efficiency when every second is critical.

"New York City is setting a new national standard for school safety," remarked Travis Leonardi, Chairman and CEO of SOS Technologies.

"For the first time ever, public schools are directly integrated with a city’s 911 first responder life-safety communications infrastructure. This groundbreaking integration eliminates costly delays, providing police, fire, and EMS the ability to respond almost instantly when seconds matter most. We are honoured to be a part of the technology which helps safeguard the lives NYC students and educators."

NYC Emergency Alert System Platform

The NYC EAS platform allows for seamless interaction between several key city agencies, including NYC Public Schools and emergency response units, accelerating emergency notifications and ensuring calls for help are prioritised and accurately geo-located.

The system also prides itself on robust redundancy, real-time monitoring, and GovRamp-Authorised cybersecurity, ensuring the reliability and security of New York City's life-safety communications infrastructure.

Enhancing Life Safety Systems

"From day one, our mission has been to help improve life safety systems through innovative technologies," stated Paul Averill, President and COO of SOS Technologies. "By directly linking New York City Public Schools to the city’s first responder communication infrastructure, we’re closing a critical gap in emergency notification and response times."

He further added, "With the announcement of this important NYC initiative, we are optimistic that other cities across the country will adopt these technologies to help revolutionise communication between public and private institutions and first responders."

New York City’s engagement with SOS Technologies highlights the city's commitment to pioneering safety initiatives and offering advanced protection for its students and educators.

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