"Panic Button"

[Badzeye]

Morning guys,

 

I have been asked to look into setting up a panic button for our reception area. At many times there is only one lady in the office, who after a few issues with parents, is now feeling insecure when alone. I was asked to have a discreet button that when pressed sends an alert to some key members of staff, I was thinking by text message. Does anyone know of anyone in the UK that does these. I have seen some PC based panic buttons but they only seemed to message other PCs and since most of our SLT run OSX were not suitable.

[Norphy]

Do any of your staff carry two way radios? That would be the most obvious solution to me.

[3s-gtech]

We have a panic button system installed, but it was not done on the cheap - it is a proper system with push buttons in reception and nearby offices, with flashing beacons (I think it can integrate further too). A local security company should be able to quote you for similar.

[localzuk]

A lot of alarm systems can have this feature added - speak to whoever maintains your alarms, they'll probably be able to point you in the right direction.

[halbaradkenafin]

Morning guys,

 

I have been asked to look into setting up a panic button for our reception area. At many times there is only one lady in the office, who after a few issues with parents, is now feeling insecure when alone. I was asked to have a discreet button that when pressed sends an alert to some key members of staff, I was thinking by text message. Does anyone know of anyone in the UK that does these. I have seen some PC based panic buttons but they only seemed to message other PCs and since most of our SLT run OSX were not suitable.

 

Depending on the messages it sends it might be possible to have a script listen for the message and then email out to the relevant staff.

 

Or possibly something with an Arduino in it could work. Depends on how much work you want to put into customising something rather than getting a security company to provide a more standardised solution.

[unixman_again]

As suggested a security company is your best bet.

 

Here's a PC solution that isn't too expensive How It Works - Little Green Button

[fairm010]

As suggested a security company is your best bet.

 

Here's a PC solution that isn't too expensive How It Works - Little Green Button

 

That looks great, I've passed it on to SLT to ponder!

[foofighterjim]

If you are using SIMS I believe there is a feature like that built in (designed for classroom issues but just as appropriate in this scenario).

[Badzeye]

Just seen that SIMS can do this sort of thing so I will investigate that. The little green button looks really good. I just phoned them and apparently they have IOS application coming for it soon which im sure will do down well with SLT.

[haldarulon]

The little green button... sounds promising... where can I find it?

[Ecalpemos2000]

Sims does indeed have the feature and it can be configured to go to x people as desired. Its great for staff to also call assistance to the classroom.

[GREED]

Just to warn off the mods/reporters, as the open question has been asked here...

 

If you have Groupcall Emerge in your school (if you don't, fine, don't go out and buy it just for this!), the latest release contains a Help Me/Panic Button feature that will send SMS to a predefined list, and the device does NOT have to have a SIM card. Happy to say more but won't push my luck.