A key element of school campus security is the ability to quickly summon first responders in an emergency. And while calling 9-1-1 works, a direct wireless connection with police, fire, and medical personnel is even faster. That’s the advantage behind the donation by Motorola Solutions of 250 two-way radios to the Chardon Area Schools in Ohio. Each is equipped with the SchoolSAFE solution, which enables interoperable radio communications between school personnel and first responders. “School districts continue to identify methods that can improve the flow of information between first responders and on-site school personnel in case of an emergency,” said the school superintendent, Dr. Michael P. Hanlon, Jr. “The Chardon Local Schools are pleased to have been selected by Motorola Solutions and SchoolSAFE for the implementation of this program.” Along with the donations of radios and software, Motorola Solutions offered the school district training that includes a review of its procedures and best practices for incident control. “We wanted to work with a district that was in a state with a Motorola statewide P25 system,” Meredith Thomas, Senior External Communications Specialist for Motorola, told the local newspaper, The News-Herald. She said the suggestion to offer the solution to the Chardon Local Schools came from Motorola’s dealer network. Thomas told the paper, “The SchoolSAFE team recommended we install one complete district to completely demonstrate the entire system’s capability.” SchoolSAFE Communications is based in Centennial, Colorado. It offers digital signaling that brings together school-based and responders’ radios, making it possible for school personnel to talk directly with first responders. According to SchoolSAFE, “Complex public safety radio systems regularly use similar equipment for temporary patches to outside radio systems. This is where SchoolSAFE differentiates itself from temporary radio patches. SchoolSAFE equipment is permanently installed and integrated into school and public safety data networks to allow remote activation, deactivation, and select personnel alerting.” In announcing the donation, Mark Kroh, Motorola's Vice President for North America Channels, said, “Schools are an instrumental part of our communities, and Motorola Solutions is pleased to be working with Chardon Area Schools and SchoolSAFE on this innovative communications solution to help build an even safer environment for teachers, students, and staff.” What a great example of helping people be their best in the moments that matter!