In a major step toward bolstering school safety, Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) will equip every school and District office employee with a wearable crisis alert badge starting at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year.
The new device adds another layer of protection to the District’s existing Alyssa’s Alert System, complementing emergency tools like the SaferWatch mobile app and desktop notification systems.
BCPS is the first school district in Florida to offer three separate ways for employees to quickly notify first responders in the event of an emergency. The system was publicly demonstrated at Plantation Middle School on Friday, showcasing its ability to send site-specific emergency notifications in real-time.
“When seconds matter, every employee is equipped to get crucial information in the hands of those who can help,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn. “Now, with just the push of a button, we can share a site location, room number, floor, and even the name of the individual in need directly with 911 and first responders.”
The badge, worn on a lanyard around the neck, features a single, easy-to-press button that can initiate an emergency alert. CrisisAlert strobes have already been installed at every BCPS campus and office, including coverage for outdoor areas like parking lots and athletic fields. Staff will be able to use the badge for a range of emergencies, from student altercations and medical incidents to campuswide lockdowns.
For two school board members, this rollout is more than a technological upgrade—it’s a deeply personal mission.
Lori Alhadeff, whose daughter Alyssa was killed in the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, said the badge represents a chance to prevent future tragedies. “If only that day someone had a panic button—pressed it eight times to trigger a lockdown—Alyssa and Chris possibly could’ve been here today,” Alhadeff said, referring also to Chris Hixon, a school athletic director who died in the same shooting.
Broward Schools Board member Debra Hixon, Chris Hixon’s widow, echoed the importance of rapid response. “This is an added level of security that shares accurate, precise and immediate information to first responders when seconds count. And in the most crucial of emergencies, seconds can make all the difference,” she said.
The badges are part of a broader trend in school safety technology. Hepburn and board members cited the September 2023 shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia as a compelling example of the tool’s effectiveness. A teacher used a similar panic button to quickly summon help after seeing an armed student enter campus. Emergency personnel were able to respond swiftly, potentially saving up to eight lives.
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