Locations
New threats to schools hit the headlines far too frequently. If it’s not a gunman with a grudge, it’s a hurricane spreading havoc. 
Many schools are meeting these threats by upgrading their emergency-response communications. Creating lockdown procedures and designating safe spaces are good starts, but these measures cannot be effective if schools don’t have the ability to communicate immediately with police and rescue personnel in an emergency.
Manufacturers like Motorola Solutions and dealers like BearCom have the technology to make this happen. In addition to two-way radios (walkie-talkies) that assist with critical communications during emergencies, Motorola has also teamed up with SchoolSAFE Communications to create an integrated wireless system that allows school personnel to talk directly to firefighters, police and other first responders during an emergency.
Cash-strapped school districts often wonder where the money’s going to come from to pay for best-in-class communications. When children’s lives are on the line, you don’t want to compromise. Recognizing that schools often need help financing emergency response to help fund two-way radio systems, Motorola offers a program to help schools get grants for school-safety upgrades.
More school safety grants available
School safety grants have become much more common in recent years. While it’s easy to focus primarily on high-profile school safety stories in the news media, the fact is that most schools are much more likely to deal with day-to-day incidents such as playground accidents and health emergencies. To summon immediate assistance, two-way radios are far superior to cellphones and landlines in these situations, which can put teachers and principals in roles usually reserved for police and EMTs.
“In reality, school personnel are first responders to emergencies,” said Kathy Morris, safety school coordinator for San Juan Board of Cooperative Educational Services in Durango, Colorado, which secured a $22,200 grant for 44 two-way radios for local schools. Southwest All-Hazards Advisory Council, a Homeland Security extension that supports school safety, provided the grant.
As many police and fire agencies have discovered, Homeland Security grants can be an excellent way to pay for new equipment at a time when local agencies are trimming their budgets.
The right way to apply for grants
School districts hoping to apply for grant assistance must be able to do three things: 
Some districts team with city and county officials or law enforcement agencies to combine funding sources.
Innovation is the key to securing grants
It’s not enough to think your school will be safer with new two-way radios. You must demonstrate to grant providers that you have thought through your needs and are applying innovative approaches to difficult problems.
Private companies often fund pilot programs using technology in unexpected ways. If you believe your staff has found a clever, unique way to use radios, you may have a leg up on the competition.
Wireless technology is just one piece of the school security puzzle. Grants can also help school districts add security cameras, entry kiosks and classroom doors that lock from the inside to keep out intruders. Two-way radios represent the one piece of the puzzle that can enable school personnel to expedite a call for help in a crisis — a call that may save lives.
BearCom will be happy to consult with your team about your communications plan and help you develop the right approach for your operations. Contact BearCom at: 800.527.1670.
MOTOROLA, MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS and the Stylized M Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC and are used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2015 Motorola Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
Many schools are meeting these threats by upgrading their emergency-response communications. Creating lockdown procedures and designating safe spaces are good starts, but these measures cannot be effective if schools don’t have the ability to communicate immediately with police and rescue personnel in an emergency.
Manufacturers like Motorola Solutions and dealers like BearCom have the technology to make this happen. In addition to two-way radios (walkie-talkies) that assist with critical communications during emergencies, Motorola has also teamed up with SchoolSAFE Communications to create an integrated wireless system that allows school personnel to talk directly to firefighters, police and other first responders during an emergency.
Cash-strapped school districts often wonder where the money’s going to come from to pay for best-in-class communications. When children’s lives are on the line, you don’t want to compromise. Recognizing that schools often need help financing emergency response to help fund two-way radio systems, Motorola offers a program to help schools get grants for school-safety upgrades.
More school safety grants available
School safety grants have become much more common in recent years. While it’s easy to focus primarily on high-profile school safety stories in the news media, the fact is that most schools are much more likely to deal with day-to-day incidents such as playground accidents and health emergencies. To summon immediate assistance, two-way radios are far superior to cellphones and landlines in these situations, which can put teachers and principals in roles usually reserved for police and EMTs.
“In reality, school personnel are first responders to emergencies,” said Kathy Morris, safety school coordinator for San Juan Board of Cooperative Educational Services in Durango, Colorado, which secured a $22,200 grant for 44 two-way radios for local schools. Southwest All-Hazards Advisory Council, a Homeland Security extension that supports school safety, provided the grant.
As many police and fire agencies have discovered, Homeland Security grants can be an excellent way to pay for new equipment at a time when local agencies are trimming their budgets.
The right way to apply for grants
School districts hoping to apply for grant assistance must be able to do three things:
- Identify what they have now
- Determine what they need
- Clearly state how upgraded equipment can make their schools more secure
- Visit Grants.gov. This is the federal government’s homepage for all federal grants. You can browse categories, agencies and eligibilities to narrow your search. The “independent school districts” link has more than 800 possible grants.
- Try the Instructional Technology Council’s Grant Opportunities page, which links to some of the top technology-related school grants.
- Ask other professional educators on social media. Your Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest colleagues may have already gone through everything you’re facing now as you explore funding sources. They can tell you about the idiosyncrasies of the grant process or help you find out about funding opportunities that are less-well known.
- Search on Google News. Instead of using the standard Google field, use the “News” search to find recent reports about schools upgrading their communications systems. Just find the school district’s homepage, contact the school’s tech team and ask how they secured the grant.
Some districts team with city and county officials or law enforcement agencies to combine funding sources.
Innovation is the key to securing grants
It’s not enough to think your school will be safer with new two-way radios. You must demonstrate to grant providers that you have thought through your needs and are applying innovative approaches to difficult problems.
Private companies often fund pilot programs using technology in unexpected ways. If you believe your staff has found a clever, unique way to use radios, you may have a leg up on the competition.
Wireless technology is just one piece of the school security puzzle. Grants can also help school districts add security cameras, entry kiosks and classroom doors that lock from the inside to keep out intruders. Two-way radios represent the one piece of the puzzle that can enable school personnel to expedite a call for help in a crisis — a call that may save lives.
BearCom will be happy to consult with your team about your communications plan and help you develop the right approach for your operations. Contact BearCom at: 800.527.1670.
About BearCom
BearCom provides a broad line of high-performance wireless communications products, services, and complete mobility solutions. Founded in 1981, BearCom is America’s only nationwide dealer and integrator of wireless communications equipment, serves customers from 29 branch offices located throughout the U.S., and employs approximately 360 people. BearCom is headquartered in the Dallas, Texas area.
MOTOROLA, MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS and the Stylized M Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC and are used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2015 Motorola Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
