School Panic Buttons for On-Site Safety

By Stephanie Osorno, Marketing Copywriter at Alertus Technologies

It’s hard to believe that one year has passed since educational organizations across the world embarked on an unexpected virtual learning journey. Throughout the year, teachers and school leaders were continuously challenged to keep students engaged in a primarily remote environment. 

Now, as they begin their transition back to the classroom, school districts, colleges, and universities have a new challenge to focus on: ensuring on-site safety.

Is your school community prepared for any circumstance — whether it be a severe weather event, an intruder incident, or a medical emergency? Take a look at the one-touch activation and school panic button options below, designed to reduce emergency response times when it matters the most. 

Emergency Duress Button or Panic Button

1. Hard-Wired Activation Buttons
During a crisis, pre-configured hard-wired activation buttons make it easy to activate your school’s mass notification system with just a push of a button. These wall-mounted devices are simple to install and can be placed in different areas of the school, including front offices, classrooms, and hallways. 

Depending on your unique alerting needs and preferences, you can choose different color buttons with customizable text for general emergencies or more specific emergency events such as an evacuation. 

Desktop Activator

2. Desktop Activator
The Desktop Activator is ideal for teachers, staff, and faculty who regularly use their desktop computers during the school day. Integrated with Alertus Desktop™ Notification, this software-based panic button can be configured to scenario-specific hotkeys and task tray icons for rapid emergency alert activation.

For example, a school security member could use the task tray option on their desktop computer to activate a severe weather preset alert. A school community severe weather alert would then be sent through other integrated devices such as Alert Beacons, desktops, speakers, and LED Marquees.

USB Panic Button

3. USB Panic Button
The USB Panic button serves as a hardware-based extension of the Desktop Activator by connecting to PC or Mac computers with the Alertus Desktop Client or Activator installation. To help facilitate quick and discreet emergency activation, it can be mounted underneath a desk or table.

For instance, if an intruder entered the school lobby, a receptionist would be able to discreetly push the USB panic button for help. Much like the Desktop Activator, the USB panic button can be configured to custom event triggers. 

Wireless Panic Button

4. Personal WiFi Panic Button
For school faculty and staff on the go, a personal WiFi panic button is the perfect remote solution. Regardless of where the user may be, this WiFi-enabled button sends location-based information to responders, ensuring immediate emergency assistance. 

With personal WiFi panic buttons, you can empower designated safety committee members, or other qualified faculty personnel, to take an active role in your school’s emergency preparedness. The WiFi panic button is light and small enough to either attach to a keychain or stick inside a pocket. 

graphicstock-top-view-of-an-office-desk-with-a-group-of-people-working-using-technological-devices-work-business-teamwork-concept_HTb0kHyt1Z_voip_phone_avaya_high_res+(1).jpg

5. VoIP Phone
Did you know Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones can be transformed into a powerful platform for emergency activation? Alertus’ VoIP phone software integrations, including Cisco and Avaya, allow appropriate school personnel to activate emergency alerts directly from their VoIP desk phone. 

Using a set of predefined extensions within the Call Management System, VoIP phone activation is instant and convenient. Once an alert is activated, authorized faculty and staff will hear a recorded message or an audio tone on the VoIP phone. The alert will also appear on the phone screen as easy-to-read stationary or scrolling text.


Implementing crisis communication tools such as panic buttons is key to keeping your school community safe during an unpredictable emergency. As you and your team move forward with on-site learning, effective, rapid, and streamlined emergency communication should be a top priority for a safe and successful school year.

Want to learn more?

Video
Watch this video to learn how the Ohio State University has utilized Alertus’ panic button solutions to enhance their emergency preparedness.

Guest User