Learn how ProTech Security’s Solutions are Critical for Schools, Municipalities, Governments, and Businesses
During an emergency, the speed and accuracy of critical information getting to those in harm’s way can have a life-altering impact on safety. Whether alerting employees about an emerging threat—such as a hurricane, active shooter scenario, or loss of key infrastructure elements—or rapidly connecting stakeholders to discuss some other critical event with the potential to disrupt operations, it’s vital that organizations have a reliable, secure, and efficient way to reach employees wherever they are. The right emergency notification platform shares information about what’s happening and ensures those in need can request assistance.
For that reason, organizations have increasingly turned to purpose-built emergency notification platforms designed to facilitate this type of communication during a wide range of critical events. Schools, municipalities, governments, and businesses need to ensure the safety of their students, residents, employees, and visitors. ProTech Security offers cutting-edge solutions in this area designed to address these critical needs effectively. Today we’re exploring why these systems are essential and will highlight the features and benefits of the Lynx emergency notification platform, a leader in the industry.
Learn More About Mass Notifications: ProTech Security recently took a deep dive into Lynx Systems. View a full replay of our Tech Talk about the subject here.
Why Emergency Notification Platforms Are Essential
Integrating security systems with mass notification capabilities is an important part of any emergency information system. This enables communication of specific information to a large number of people simultaneously. This sees use in a variety of situations and can meet a wide array of security needs including extreme weather reports, security breach reports, fire notifications, and much more.
Immediate Threat Awareness
In any emergency, time is of the essence. The quicker you can alert people to danger, the more lives you can save. An emergency notification platform enables rapid dissemination of information, ensuring that everyone is aware of the threat and can take appropriate action.
Streamlined Communication
Effective communication during emergencies reduces chaos and confusion. A centralized system allows for clear, concise, and consistent messaging to all affected individuals, whether they are on-site or off-site.
Comprehensive Coverage
These platforms offer various methods of alerting, from text messages and emails to public address systems and visual alerts like strobes. This ensures that the message reaches everyone, regardless of their location or the means of communication they have access to at the moment.
When Standard Alerts Fail: A Real-World Example
The abrupt failure of the state of Massachusetts’ 911 system in June 2024 was a stark example of the disastrous consequences when an emergency network becomes suddenly unavailable. The outage lasted multiple hours and prompted a scramble from emergency agencies to not only inform the public about the outage but also how to seek help if they needed it. Seldom-used phone numbers and other traditional channels were overwhelmed, leaving a potentially dangerous situation bordering on chaos.
The June incident was the second major 911 outage in three months as four western states experienced a similar issue in April. These occurrences highlight the significant vulnerabilities inherent in standard alert systems and underscore the need for more versatile and more resilient solutions.
One such solution is the Lynx emergency notification platform. This platform is a network-based Duress and Mass Notification System that enables staff to alert security of issues and security to communicate to staff/visitors over a variety of outputs quickly and effectively, including physical security hardware. Lynx integrates with existing access control, video management, and many other organizational systems.
How Lynx Could Have Made a Difference
Had the Lynx emergency notification platform been in place for facilities and organizations during the Massachusetts incident, the response could have been faster, more coordinated, and more effective. Here’s how:
Activation of Alarms via Third-Party Software
Lynx could have activated alarms through any integrated third-party software, providing a seamless alert across multiple platforms even when the primary system failed. This redundancy ensures that an alert would still be communicated effectively.
Mass Notification Alerts
Utilizing Lynx’s capabilities, municipalities could have sent mass notification alerts through a variety of channels including security radios, strobes, phones, computers, and public address systems. This multi-channel approach would have ensured that residents were informed of the 911 outage and provided with alternative ways to seek help.
Combination of Panic Alarms
Lynx allows the creation of panic alarms using keyboards, USB devices, and wireless technology. Residents and emergency personnel could have used these devices to signal for help, even when traditional methods were unavailable.
Verbal Messages and Text-to-Speech Capabilities
Lynx’s text-to-speech and pre-recorded message capabilities could have broadcast critical information over existing radios, ensuring that people were informed even without access to digital alerts.
Enhanced Situational Awareness
By linking alerts with images, maps, IP cameras, and important procedures, Lynx could have provided emergency responders with real-time situational awareness, allowing them to manage the crisis more effectively and allocate resources where they were most needed.
Pre-Configuration for Specific Areas
LynxIcons could have been used to pre-configure specific areas for lockdowns or status updates. In the event of the 911 center going down, specific regions could have been quickly secured, and residents informed of the situation, reducing panic and confusion.
Choose ProTech Security to Find your Emergency Notification Platform
For more than 45 years, ProTech Security has acted as a premier custom security integrator for commercial and residential clients in Northeast Ohio and Central Florida. We work with our clients to identify the best fit for their security needs and create customized solutions—including emergency notification platforms—that deliver better protection and peace of mind. Safety isn’t just a priority; it’s a responsibility. We help you fulfill it.
The Lynx system exemplifies our commitment to working with the best vendor partners, with its robust features and seamless integration capabilities. Don’t wait for a crisis to highlight the gaps in your emergency response plan. Contact our team today to learn more about how Lynx can enhance your organization’s safety and preparedness.
