The first few minutes of any emergency are the most critical. In most cases, the sooner you respond, the better the outcome, as long as you understand early on exactly what is going on and respond based on planned and practiced actions.
One way to think about this is the everyday preparedness that people living in tornado zones take for granted. In areas with high tornado risk, people are accustomed to listening to sirens and warnings and acting quickly to find shelter. They know that delays and indecision can be deadly.
The key difference from the types of critical incidents that schools must plan for (armed assailants, fires, serious accidents, medical emergencies, missing children, etc.) is that while such incidents may be common nationally, they are thankfully rare in individual schools.
The challenge of remaining vigilant
In places where emergencies are not routine, it is difficult to remain vigilant, detect threats early, and respond effectively within the critical first few minutes.
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There are additional dangers. Modern humans are increasingly overexposed to traumatic events through news reports, social media, dramatic movies and TV shows, via phones and TV screens, which can heighten unconscious anxiety and further inhibit responses. When someone’s underlying fear suddenly feels like it’s about to come true, it can trigger an exaggerated “fight or flight” response that can lead to paralysis rather than quick action.
To address these issues, most states require regular training (including fire, lockdown, evacuation, and shelter-in-place training). These rehearsals include tabletop exercises for response staff and age-appropriate training for the wider school community, including children.
Related Article: 7 Less-Obvious Benefits of Tabletop Exercise
These drills serve as a reminder that emergencies, however rare, can always occur. And crucially, they remove some of the fear and give adults and children the knowledge and confidence to act without hesitation. People are less likely to freeze if they can routinely respond to specific emergencies.
Accelerate emergency response with AI video analytics
A new generation of advanced video technology is becoming available to schools to further speed up responses and ensure the appropriate action is taken within those critical first minutes.
Artificial intelligence (AI) video analytics has the advantage of working perfectly with K-12 schools’ existing readiness measures, and is affordable, quick to implement, and easy to use. You don’t have to fundamentally change your way of thinking, and it doesn’t take long to get used to it.
In fact, like all the best examples of emerging AI technology, it helps people do what they already do. Doing so can save time and effort, increase accuracy, and improve results.
AI-powered weapon detection
Weapon detection demonstrates the capabilities of this technology.
AI video surveillance can automatically detect when there is a risk that someone may be holding, reaching for, or concealing a gun. Unlike metal detectors, video analysis is not susceptible to false positives caused by iPads, laptops, ring binders, or keys. In addition, the analysis can detect weapons before the perpetrator enters the building.
Related article: How AI video analytics is transforming safety, efficiency, and compliance on school and college campuses
Also, unlike audio-based gunshot detectors, video detection works before you pull the trigger.
Key AI models are trained to recognize pistols, rifles, and long-profile firearms from a variety of angles, distances, and lighting conditions. Automatic alerts can be triggered based on factors such as time of detection and active movement, such as when the weapon is raised or brandished.
In many serious shootings, the gunman has his weapon drawn before he even gets to the door, and that’s the perfect moment to spot and act. AI cameras can provide critical early warning by looking over your surroundings, school grounds, and entrances, ensuring you stay alert without losing attention or getting tired.
Mobile alarm system for staff
Alerts can be sent to control room operators, so trained staff can immediately check the real-time video feed to see if further action is required. The same alerts can be sent to responders and authorized administrators via mobile phone or tablet using a new generation mobile VMS app that allows users to control and manage school video surveillance systems remotely from their workstations or while on the move.
This reflects the everyday reality of school life. Staff focus on teaching, supporting students, and managing day-to-day operations. While you carry out these important responsibilities, an AI-powered video detection system works silently in the background, providing continuous monitoring and peace of mind.
Advanced detection capabilities beyond weapons
The system can be configured to identify events of interest, such as people running at locations or times that would not normally be expected. They can detect wandering. crowd; aggressive body movements; fight. and falls. They can distinguish appearance characteristics that can help review footage to find targeted individuals, such as clothing color, accessories such as hats and bags, and demographic characteristics such as age and gender.
Related article: Bad policies and overreliance on AI can thwart the potential of security technologies
AI detection can identify when someone enters a restricted area (boundary crossing detection) or if an item has been forgotten or removed without permission (left behind or removed object detection). These systems also enhance safety by sending an alert if an emergency exit is blocked or a fire door is thrown open. It can also help control vehicles, for example by detecting whether there are cars or people in lanes reserved for school buses.
For example, you can not only automatically record the arrival time of a school bus, but also count the number of people getting off the bus. Alerts can be sent if the expected number of passengers do not arrive at school, further increasing accountability and ensuring student safety.
Improved accuracy and expanded applications
The best video analytics technology uses a deep learning engine with 98% accuracy, and the accuracy improves with use.
At the same time, the potential applications of video analytics are continuously growing. It is possible now or could become possible soon if school administrators can come up with practical requirements.
Therefore, there is a legitimate argument for finding affordable routes to adopt today’s technology in order to not be left behind as innovation accelerates and to reap immediate benefits.
The good news is that, despite all this sophistication, the best solutions available have emerged from the commercial security field, which has a long tradition of focusing on ease of use and cost practicality. They know that the people using their systems are often not security or technology experts, so they’ve focused on developing intuitive, easy-to-use controls for all their advanced features and capabilities.
Flexible deployment options for schools
Video analytics can be deployed for the entire system, the entire school grounds, or specific locations such as entrances, hallways, and common areas. In the former case, the analysis process takes place within the VMS (Video Management Software). In the latter case, the analytics are built into the camera itself (edge AI camera). Offering a mid-range option, VA box devices allow you to add analytics capabilities to up to four traditional cameras, providing more flexible upgrade and scalable options.
This means K-12 schools looking to upgrade or modernize some or all of their existing camera systems can easily deploy AI analytics, whether in a few key locations or across campus. This flexible approach allows schools to make a meaningful impact on the safety of students, staff, and the broader community.
Cameras are no longer just showing what happened after the incident. They can now help prevent it from happening in the first place.
Automated detection and alerts now enable the quickest possible response at the most critical early stages.
Darron Parker is Vice President of Sales for IDIS Americas.
Note: The views expressed by guest bloggers and contributors are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or be attributed to Campus Safety.
