Have you noticed the recently installed beacons on the outside of Nutter Fort Elementary? They should be lit up in green, meaning that the school is operating as normal. However, if the beacons are not green, you should be aware of what they mean.
Recently, Harrison County Schools implemented major upgrades in its security system. The color-coded beacons are just one of the upgrades recently installed. The system was designed to bridge the gap between internal school safety protocols and first responders. It ensures that critical information is communicated visually and instantly to staff, first responders and the community.
If an incident or specific emergency code is declared during the school day, the beacons instantly change color such as red for a lock down, yellow for a precautionary lockdown, orange for a bomb threat, or blue for a medical emergency.
The alert network is directly integrated with the Harrison-Taylor 911 Center. When a high-level alert, such as a Code Red, is triggered within a school facility, emergency dispatchers receive an immediate notification alongside data and details regarding the incident.
According to law enforcement officers, the new system will cut down the time it takes to relay information between school administrators, outside agencies, local law enforcement and emergency services. This system will allow them to receive precise information before they arrive on the scene.
So next time you are walking up to the school, take a minute to look at the beacons to make sure the school lit up green and that it is all clear for you to enter.