SAFE alert system is free for parents and educators

CONCORD — A free app is available for download to improve communication between educators and families in case of emergencies.

Ping4, a New Hampshire-based company, recently authorized its foundation to create the Safety Alerts For Education, or SAFE, application to enhance school safety. The free app is available in the App Store for iOS and Google Play.

The company created the app after the Governor’s School Safety Preparedness Taskforce determined, via Recommendation 43, that New Hampshire needed to establish a system “to alert parents, staff, and non-first responders during an emergency to quickly and efficiently notify them of current incident and safety information.”

Following up on the free offer in October, the company set up accounts for all New Hampshire schools and is encouraging parents to sign up and make sure their schools activate the alert system.

“While it may be that not all schools decide to use the Ping4 platform, as there are other products in the market,” said Frank Edelblut, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Education, “it is important that all schools get some platform set up and have broad parent signup so that we can have the appropriate response in the event of an emergency.”

“Any measure that provides support for police to respond quickly and thoroughly to a school crisis is important,” said James Morse, superintendent of the Oyster River Cooperative. “A uniform approach across the state is an important step forward. Ping or similar measures, adopted by local school systems and their respective police departments, just makes sense for the safety of New Hampshire students.”

The app uses geo-fencing technology, allowing administrators and law enforcement officials to instantly and simultaneously alert students and staffers of a threat via their cellphones. The technology creates a virtual perimeter in and around schools, which can include parking lots and athletic fields.

Jim Bender, chief executive officer of Ping4, said “The SAFE Foundation is offering this program free to New Hampshire schools because our children’s safety is a top priority. This technology is proven and effective, and will enhance security and reduce response time in the event of a crisis.”

For more information about the SAFE app, visit safeschoolapp.com.