New Tennessee Senate bill requires improved fire drill plan for schools

JACKSON, Tenn. — A new bill is passed focusing on emergency procedures in schools.

The Tennessee Senate passed a bill that will require schools to come up with a plan of action in the event of a fire alarm.

The bill states that local education agencies, public charter schools, private schools, and church-related schools must develop specific procedures to determine the cause of fire alarm activation.

Will Fullerton, Senior Vice President of Gov. Affairs, Centegix, said: “They can differentiate between a fire alarm and other alarms and make sure it’s not a false alarm.”

Supporters say implementing these procedures and including silent panic alarms will give school educators the resources to call for help quicker.

“Our system is completely wireless. It’s a wearable panic button, much like an access ID,” said Fullerton.

The silent alarms have colors for different alerts and could notify other staff members of emergencies on the grounds.

“Those everyday alerts are triggered by pressing the button three times… It doesn’t notify 911 or first responders. If you keep pressing the button starting at eight…If you press it eight times you can trigger a full school lockdown and an automatic communication to 911,” said Fullerton.

The silent alarms can provide exact location of the room so law enforcement can respond appropriately.

“There’s no time to waste so to speak in more instances than not and I think that’s the consequence of these policies,” said Fullerton.

This bill addresses concerns following the Covenant school shooting in Nashville when a third grader came in contact with the shooter and was killed while leading the class outside during a fire alarm.

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