#panic alarms

Recent terrorist attacks against businesses and schools in America have caused great concern for the safety of America’s children in a facility without alarm systems. For centuries, man has depended on his best friend (the dog) to alert him to impending danger or an intruder. Technological developments have advanced, and the idea of alarms is to repel intruders in the same manner a barking dog alerts a homeowner. Historically, home and business alarm systems generally consist of control panels and deadbolt locks. High tech gadgets in today’s society have replaced outdated alarm systems. However, security needs have heightened due to the numerous terrorist attacks in recent years such as Columbine and 9/11. This article will address the history of alarm systems and the future system to notify intended recipients in the case of an emergency.

Alarms Before Electricity

In the eighteenth century, the best deterrent against crime was thought to be noise or the element of surprise. Patent records show the first electromagnetic enforcer against burglary was registered in 1853 by an inventor named Augustus Russell Pope. Pope created a simple battery-operated gadget which was connected as independent units by a parallel circuit. In the event a window or door was opened, and the circuit was closed, the sudden flow of current caused vibrations to be transmitted to a hammer which struck a brass bell. In addition, versions of these primitive alarms were utilized to protect affluent families who lived in the city.

Electrical Alarms and Telegraph Wiring

Edwin Holmes bought the rights to Pope’s design in 1857. He founded the first company of electrical alarm systems (Holmes Electric Protection Company). Holmes is also credited with establishing the electromagnetic alarms.  Edwin Holmes also utilized numerous patents for insulating telegraph wires. Holmes and his son Edwin T. Holmes convinced the Boston and New York phone companies to allow their customers such as Tiffany and Lord & Taylor to utilize unused telephone lines at night to support the innovative alarm system.

Central Monitoring Station

Edward Callahan invented the first gold and stock ticker in 1867. The ticker quickly showed price changes to investors. The idea for a central monitoring station was created after Callahan’s boss Elisha Andrews was the victim of a burglary and robbery. Callahan was determined to protect his boss and others affiliated with the stock market. Callahan created an emergency call box that serviced fifty of Andrew’s neighbors. Callahan’s system was designed to alert other neighbors by assigning a certain number of rings for each house that would signal others. For example, if an alarm rang in house A, houses B, and C were notified. In addition, Callahan expanded his idea by dividing New York City into districts that would be connected to a central monitoring system. In the event of an emergency, a messenger boy was sent to arrange for help in a particular district.

Furthermore, the emergency boxes invented by Callahan are still utilized today for police, fire, and messenger services. Callahan utilized the idea of obtaining help in the event of an emergency to form the American District Telegraph (ADT) in 1871 which has become largest security company nationwide today. However, ADT is currently facing numerous lawsuits because they knowingly failed to inform customers of the possibility their system is not encrypted and easily hacked. A recent article by Field (2016) states an unauthorized third party can access ADT’s software and view when homeowners are opening or closing a door which leaves homeowners vulnerable for a burglar to invade their home.

High Tech Alarms in the Twentieth Century

The Second World War (WWII) saw the installation of panic systems in bombers. These systems allowed the pilot to alert crew members that the plane was hit by enemy fire.

After WWII, alarm technology progressed and became more affordable; thus, improving security across the nation. Engineers integrated motion detectors in alarm systems in the 1970’s. By the 1980’s alarm systems had become a safety measure that was installed when buildings were erected. Over the past four decades, technology has improved to include wireless alarm systems. This is a vast improvement over the early alarm systems that required unsightly wires and cables.

Community Response Systems (CRS) Notify

Today, technology has taken over panic alarms as we know them. The base product from CRS Notify is software that can be installed on any computer, no hardware buttons required! Furthermore, a panic alarm can be located virtually anywhere, from a receptionist's desk, even on someone's person! The possibilities are endless these days!

With CRS Notify, no one is left wondering if the distress signal makes it to the proper authorities. Even with the discreet alarms themselves, everyone can rest assured that the signal is received by the proper authorities within moments when seconds matter the most in a crisis.

Questions about the history of panic buttons?

Contact us for more information to make the best decision for your panic buttons.

Workplace violence is a topic that plagues America. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there was a total of 5,840 work fatalities reported in 2006. Of this number, workplace violence accounted for 13 percent of all fatal work injuries occurring in 2006, at 788 deaths. The report further states that of the 444 fatal injuries to female workers, 29 percent were due to violence at 132 fatalities. Consequently, of the 5,396 deaths to male workers, 12 percent were due to violence, at 656 fatalities.

Workplace violence is not always about work-related issues. Most people assume that disgruntled workers are usually the culprit. However, that is not necessarily the case. As reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in two-thirds of workplace homicides, the attacker has no known personal relationship with the victims. Furthermore, most assailants who are employees commit workplace violence due to something else going on in their lives. Some of the more typical reasons for workplace violence are mental illness, drug abuse, divorce, or perceived personal failure.

Close to half of all workplace violence happens in a public environment. It is virtually impossible to work on solving the issue of violence in the workplace when most companies do not see it as a problem. The estimated cost of a workplace homicide to the employer is a whopping $800,000.00. It is safe to say that it would be less expensive to take action against workplace violence. Moreover, did you know that 27% of businesses have experienced at least one violent workplace incident within the last five years?

What are Some of the Indicators and Risk Factors for Workplace Violence?

There are several signs and risk factors for workplace violence. Researchers have configured and identified a list of factors that may increase the possibility of violence in the workplace. However, the good news is if employers pay attention to the warning signs and risk factors, they can address the problem issues beforehand.

Risk Factors for Workplace Violence from an Outside Assailant

Working alone or in an isolated area

Where alcohol is served

Working late at night

Working in high crime rate areas

An environment where money is exchanged with the public

Indicators for Workplace Violence as a Whole

Verbal threats to other employees

Displaying paranoia

A fascination with violence

Bizarre behaviors

Being unreasonable

Irresponsible actions

A vindictive nature

Chronic depression

Substance / Alcohol Abuse

Changes in performance

Five Surprising Acts of Workplace Violence

The threat of violence in the workplace is real. Moreover, these statistics validate the reality that violence in the workplace is often a deadly incident that can happen to any business.

For example, an early example of workplace violence took place on March 2, 1978. Leslie Torrey, a factory worker at the Pittsburgh Forgings Company in Jackson, Michigan, opened fire into a crowded break room, injuring 17 co-workers.

January 30, 2006 – Jennifer San Marco, 44, of Grants, New Mexico, opened fire at a mail processing plant in Goleta, California. The assailant had previously worked at the plant, but had been placed on retirement disability in 2003 due to mental health issues. She gained access to the plant by driving behind other employees and taking a name badge at gunpoint. The assailant also shot and killed a neighbor about an hour prior to the assault.

March 3, 2006 – Mohammed Taheri-azar, 22, a graduate of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, hit people on campus at UNC with his vehicle with the intent of “avenging the deaths of Muslims worldwide.” The assailant was born in Iran, but moved to the US at the age of two and later became a naturalized citizen.

March 14, 2006 – James Newman, 14, student at Pine Middle School, in Reno, Nevada, opened fire in the hallway of his school. The school had a delayed start because of inclement weather that morning, so not all students were in attendance. The assault was stopped by a teacher.

July 28, 2006 – Naveed Haq, 30, of Pasco, Washington, opened fire in the Seattle Jewish Federation building. The assailant identified himself as a Muslim American and expressed being unhappy with the war in Iraq and the US support of Israel. Authorities later called the assault a hate crime, rather than an act of terror, because of statements the assailant made to a 911 operator during the attack.

October 2, 2006 – Charles Roberts, 32, took hostages in the West Nickel Mines Amish School and opened fire when becoming agitated. The assailant’s behavior supposedly became more jovial in the weeks before the assault.

Active Shooter Situations in the Workplace

Proper planning and training can reduce injuries related to an active shooter incident. Controlling the impact of an active shooter involves many layers of security. Those layers can consist of an incident response plan, a panic button system, security staff and surveillance cameras.

The first step is to know what to do in those critical moments. The first minute of an active shooter incident is the most important moment of your company’s emergency response. Training and being mentally prepared to take action in a crisis can make a big difference. Furthermore, just knowing where all of the building exits and locking doors are located can help boost a person’s survival.

Moreover, there is no foolproof way to avert an active shooter incident. However, with the speed and accuracy of information given in the initiated alert can contribute to impact a positive result. Additionally, there is new technology available that enables mass notification to those who need to know about the crisis to increase the probability of a successful emergency response.

In conclusion, I encourage you and your staff to become familiar with the violence prevention and incident response plans for your facility. An essential part of violence prevention is to utilize those policy resources when you feel it is necessary. Report unusual or suspicious behavior to administrators immediately. Moreover, trust that “uh-oh” feeling when things just don’t seem legit. Practice incident response plans at least quarterly so that the training remains fresh. If employees have clear policies and procedures to follow during a crisis, they can protect themselves more efficiently. Hundreds people’s lives are lost every year to violence in the workplace. Arm your employees with the tools and knowledge they need to make an appropriate decision.

Still Unsure About a Panic Alarm System?

Contact us for more information to make the best decision for your panic button system.

Name: Community Response Systems LLC

Phone Number: 1-800-533-7201

 Panic alarms are an excellent addition to any incident response plan. Many different offices across the United States are looking for ways to respond to the increasing possibilities of victimization. Check out our panic alarms video, which provides an outline of how our software works, or sign up for a panic alarms free trial!

Name: Community Response Systems LLC

Phone Number: 1-800-533-7201

 Panic alarms are an excellent addition to any incident response plan. Many different offices across the United States are looking for ways to respond to the increasing possibilities of victimization. Check out our panic alarms video, which provides an outline of how our software works, or sign up for a panic alarms free trial!

Many companies are looking for a panic button system for their facility, because of the violence we are experiencing in America today. Global and domestic terrorism is a huge problem, and companies are looking for ways to actively respond. Many companies are buying security products online and out of security magazines. Corporate management teams purchase metal detectors, buzz-in systems, surveillance cameras, and all these great safety products that become a hindrance to daily operations. Therefore, security initiatives are often then taken away. These efforts become a nuisance to day-to-day functions. Finding solutions to a security problem should be cultivated and embraced by your facility.

What is the Difference Between a Traditional and Technology Driven Panic Button System?

There is a major problem with the traditional panic buttons. This type of panic button system is a blanket product that usually requires a construction crew to install which interrupts daily office activities. Many traditional buttons are offered through local alarm companies. The alarm company hardwires the panic devices in through your phone system to be able to send out alerts. The problem with that is, you do not know how long it takes to contact responders or if it is even working. CRS tested some old-fashioned panic system a few years ago. We are still waiting for the confirmation to go through that the alert was received. The old school panic button defaulted, and no one knew. Imagine a situation where you think the signal went through to responders and it did not. What do you guess is going to happen?

Software driven alert systems offer security initiatives in a panic button for your company that is technology based. There are systems in today’s market that integrate internal and external notification alerts to multiple people, using multiple channels ALL at the push of a button. You also get the benefit of multiple alert levels instead of just the one alert level offered by traditional panic systems. Some of the new age notification systems also provide E911 integration. Meaning the warning system will notify employees through multiple channels, but it will also call your local 911 dispatch. Furthermore, modern notification systems are easier to manage. You can usually make changes from one centralized point without contacting your local alarm company for assistance.

When Choosing a Panic Button System Consider the Facts.

An alert notification system is an excellent addition to any incident response plan. Many different industries across the United States are looking for ways to respond to the increasing possibilities of victimization. Having an alert notification system is the perfect tool to combat any physical security barriers your business or facility may encounter.

When looking for ways to make your facility safer, consider a notification system that runs in the background and doesn’t hinder your daily operations. Compared to traditional panic systems, the technology-driven programs and far less expensive. They are also easier to manage.

Security and safety training that uses innovative responses is also crucial. Having the Warrior mindset is important during a crisis. This type of training encourages that mindset. When paired with a technology-driven notification system that will alert staff quickly to danger, would give employees the time and knowledge to respond efficiently.

Furthermore, having the Run, Hide, Fight or Move, Escape, Attack methods in place as part of your response plan does not take away from a lockdown situation. It’s just an addition to your response plan. Also, an alert notification system can allow you to broadcast information with real-time communication during your lockdown situation.

What is the Next Step for Your Alert Notification System?

Coordination between local responders and your staff is critical. An alert notification system can merge those two warning systems down to immediate if not instantaneous. Every second counts in a dangerous situation. Circumstances can escalate quickly. What two minutes feel like in regular time, in a high stressed situation is an eternity.

Lower notification time down to seconds and train your employees with the Warrior mindset. Having an alert notification sent out can get people to quickly respond which lowers the opportunity of victimization and injury significantly. Alert notification trumps almost anything at this point. It gives people time to respond effectively and is the most cost effective tool. You want something that you can use today, tomorrow, and in ten years. You don’t want something sitting on a shelf that you spent a lot of money on just collecting dust because it’s outdated or it just never worked.