Interface Systems boosts Bethesda Church security

Interface Systems, a major managed service provider delivering business security, actionable insights, and purpose-built networks for multi-location businesses, announced the successful completion of a major security upgrade for Bethesda Community Church and Bethesda Christian School in Fort Worth, Texas.

Serving more than 530 students from preschool through 12th grade, Bethesda Christian School is recognised among the top private schools in Texas. Between church services, school operations, and community events, the multi-building, 26-acre campus welcomes hundreds of people daily.

This high level of activity required modern safety and security systems to protect students, staff, and parishioners while simplifying daily operations.

Communication challenges

Bethesda’s aging fire alarms, intercoms, and CCTV system were increasingly unreliable, creating false alarms and communication challenges. To address these concerns, the church turned to Interface to modernise its infrastructure.

Interface designed and deployed an integrated solution that included:

• Fire Alarm System: Replacing the outdated system with a modern fire alarm system that communicates urgency effectively without causing unnecessary panic, particularly important for schoolchildren.
• Managed Access Control: Introducing a modern system that makes it easier for administrators to manage entry to the campus. The cloud-based setup means they can grant or restrict access remotely, without having to manage complex on-site servers.
• Video Surveillance Upgrade: Installing a 64-channel IP camera system on the new school building, with expansion capability to replace legacy analogue cameras over time. The system provides remote monitoring and allows staff to verify alarms with live video before responding, helping to reduce unnecessary dispatches.
• Intercom and Paging: Replacing the outdated intercom with a flexible IP-based system that supports school bell scheduling, room-to-room communication, and all-campus announcements. It also integrates with access control, giving administrators a simple way to manage visitor entry.

Effective system

“The new system is effective. It gets the point across that it’s time to evacuate, but it doesn’t create panic, especially among the kids,” said Rick Campbell, Facilities Manager at Bethesda Community Church. “Having remote access to cameras and alarms has been a huge help.” 

The installation was carefully phased to minimise disruption to classes and worship services. “Interface worked around the kids and kept us up and running during installation,” Campbell added. “The integration was seamless, and now everything is running smoothly.”

Interface’s upgrades

With Interface’s upgrades, Bethesda has significantly reduced false dispatches, streamlined communication across the campus, and gained the ability to scale its systems for future growth.

“Initially, we were unsure about the cost, but the investment has been well worth it,” Campbell concluded. “I’d recommend Interface to other churches without hesitation.”