Investments In Safety
Fulton County Schools is committed to providing safe and secure learning environments. The Fulton County School Board makes annual, ongoing investments that provide safety and security to our physical buildings and also has programs in place that focus on the social and emotional well-being of our students and staff. These investments have steadily increased over the years, broadening the services and programs provided to all.
School Police Officers and Safety Personnel
Fulton County Schools has one of the largest school police forces in Georgia. As one of only a few school police departments certified by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, our sworn officers are ready to respond to any situation. A segment of specially trained officers are SWAT certified. The Fulton County School Board and local school leaders also invest in additional non-sworn personnel called Campus Security Associates (CSAs). These personnel assist in securing schools and buildings throughout the district. CSAs receive annual training from the FCS Safety and Security Team and support local school leaders to meet the safety needs of their communities.
Safety Training and Emergency Preparedness
School staff and school leaders receive annual safety training, which includes reviewing active shooter protocols, lockdown procedures and police notifications. District Health Services staff provide AED, CPR, and first aid training, and all clinic staff receive annual training regarding response protocols. Also, each school has a safety plan that is reviewed annually by school leadership and district safety staff and reported to the State of Georgia/Georgia Emergency Management Agency. School Board policy requires all schools to complete specialized safety drills, including those for evacuation, shelter-in-place, soft lockdown, and hard lockdown.
Interior/Exterior Video Surveillance Systems and Bus Cameras
Digital camera systems are in every school, allowing FCS Safety & Security and FCS Police teams to monitor activities in and around facilities via desktop computers, monitoring stations, or mobile devices. High-tech lenses allow school police officers to pan the cameras, zoom in for a closer view, or change the angles of the view. In addition, Fulton County Schools has partnered with municipal police agencies so that they have direct access to view school-based cameras and can coordinate a response with FCS Police during potential emergency situations.
Also, license plate readers are installed at all schools and administrative centers. These cameras capture computer-readable images of license plates, allowing law enforcement agencies to compare plate numbers against those of stolen cars or cars driven by people suspected of being involved in criminal activities. The cameras send real-time alerts to law enforcement when a vehicle associated with a wanted suspect or endangered person passes the camera.
All school buses also have upgraded video surveillance systems. Each bus is equipped with four video cameras, which provide surveillance of activities within the buses and can assist safety teams in investigating behaviors that affect student safety.
Improvements and Upgrades on the Horizon
Past capital plans have included high-tech video camera system upgrades in schools and school buses, visitor ID management, safety planning and communication tools, patrol vehicles, and specialized equipment for FCS police officers.
Approved again by Fulton County voters in November 2021, the one-penny sales tax, ESPLOST, is funding Capital Plan 2027. CP 2027 is adding to these investments by replacing or updating safety components nearing the end of their life cycle, such as:
- Automated External Defibrillators
- Door keycard access for school staff
- Integration of door buzzer systems with new video surveillance systems
- Replacement IP cameras for existing video systems
- Updated equipment for school police officers, including ballistic vests and communication radios
- Replacement of emergency vehicles
- Installation of safety and security window film
Front Entry Controls/Visitor Identification Systems
All schools are equipped with front door “buzzer” entry controls. After student arrival all exterior doors are locked, all visitors and students must be granted access by front office personnel. The devices are located at every entrance and have an intercom, camera and to the front office, and a notification button. Visitors must push the button to ring the front office staff, who can view and question visitors via a video phone, and then determine whether to unlock the door.
Alert Systems and Electronic Emergency Response Protocols
Fulton County Schools uses a tool called CrisisGo to quickly distribute emergency operations plans to staff, via mobile devices, during emergency situations. When a situation is reported, teachers and/or staff members in the affected area will hear a specific tone on their mobile device and then are given instructions to follow via the CrisisGo app, such as how to secure their classroom, account for each student in their care, and what to do next. It also allows them to communicate back to the district’s Safety & Security team and report on their surroundings and any critical needs.
Additionally, all schools and administrative centers have the Centegix Crisis Alert System installed, which allows teachers and staff to activate an emergency alert using a special wearable badge. Depending on the severity, the alert automatically notifies front office staff of a situation, such a medical issue or a minor student altercation, where a school police officer or an administrator can intervene. In critical emergencies, when employees click the badge continuously, the system directly alerts the FCS School Police Department and local police agencies to deploy officers and respond immediately.
The FCS Safety & Security team also uses online monitoring technology to review social media platforms for activity and threats. Additionally, the district has invested in the Evolv Express concealed weapons detection and screening system as another layer of security. The system is deployed to schools and other district buildings in special circumstances and uses advanced sensors along with A.I. technology to distinguish between concealed weapons and everyday items.
Exit Door Alarms
“Exit door stoppers” are installed on exterior doors at every school. When a door is not closed securely or is propped open, the school’s security team is alerted. This prevents individuals from entering or leaving the school without authorization.
Visitor Management System
All schools are equipped with a visitor management system. Visitors register in the building at the time of arrival, and their information is checked against sex offender databases.
School Police Fleet and Safety Gear
The FCS School Police has its own vehicle fleet, which not only provides greater visibility of our officers, but also increases their ability to patrol schools and provide emergency response. School police officers also have ballistic vests, communication radios and body cameras as part of their standard police uniform. In addition, the district participates in the nationwide FirstNet public safety broadband and cellular network, which gives first responders priority and pre-emption for connecting to a network.
Mass Communication/Notification Systems
The school system uses a district-wide emergency communications tool to notify parents of safety-related situations. Messages can be sent to parents of students in a specific school, a geographic learning zone, or district-wide via phone call, text or email.
S.H.A.R.E. Tip Line
Safety concerns can be reported anonymously through the district’s S.H.A.R.E. Tip Line. S.H.A.R.E. stands for “See It. Hear It. And Report It Every Time.” All FCS-issued student devices are preloaded with the reporting tool, and the tip line also can be accessed through the FCS website and FCS mobile app. This gives students, staff, parents and the public an easy way to “see something, say something” while remaining anonymous.