LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A software developed in Kentuckiana gives first responders an idea of what a school looks like in the event they're called there for an emergency.
When first responders get a call the information they get is usually the name of the location, an address and the type of emergency they're responding to.
About 15 schools in southern Indiana are implementing Tactical Wayfinding software to help first responders in emergency situations. (WDRB photo)
If something were to happen at Community Montessori in New Albany they would typically go to the front door. Now, they don't have to.
"All of us are worried about intrusions and bad actors in any organization you're in but especially in schools," Barbara Burke Fondren, director of the school, said. "It gives another layer of support for families as they drop off their children every morning."
The school is installing Tactical Wayfinding, a software developed by a dad, who wanted to help make it easier to find the location of an emergency.
His son has a rare medical condition.
"They could get to his entrance as opposed to having to go all the way around the building or through the building," software developer Jim Sprigler said. "It's a huge sense of relief knowing that if something was to happen and he needed help, they could get to him."
First responders now have a map of the school at the click of a button.
When they get the call, the software highlights the zone that the emergency is closest to.
Community Montessori has nearly 30 different entrances, so it will help them pinpoint the location they need to go to.
About 15 schools in southern Indiana are implementing Tactical Wayfinding software to help first responders in emergency situations. (WDRB photo)
"If we were dealing with something where somebody was unstable or something and we didn't want anyone to go to Zone A, we're all understanding that, so we could use it internally for that," Burke Fondren said.
On Thursday, school leaders and law enforcement went around the building setting up the zones.
There are already about 15 schools in southern Indiana using this software.
"When people start collaborating together and bring people together from different segments of our community and the law enforcement groups buy into it and everyone's working together, it only helps all of us feel safer and more supported in our communities," Burke Fondren said.
Working together to keep kids safer.
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