Seconds Save Lives: How Raptor Alert Helped Lynchburg City Schools Respond to a Gun on Campus

Streamlined, Instant Emergency Alerting

Raptor Alert replaced manual steps with a multi-layered notification system. When the lockdown was initiated, alerts went out to all staff and law enforcement simultaneously, ensuring no delays in action.

Raptor Alert gives schools the power to expedite help. Automatically send detailed, situation-specific alerts once the panic button is pressed, so everyone knows how to respond.

When an alert is initiated via Raptor Alert, the software utilizes location data from the initiating device to determine your exact location and provide a dispatchable address to 911.

Further, Raptor’s school safety ecosystem means emergency response protocols and first responders are supported by a range of features designed to enhance student and staff safety. Integration with Existing Security Solutions through Raptor Connect.

• Powered by Raptor Connect, Raptor Alert integrates with existing systems (e.g., mass notification systems, public address systems, strobe lights, sirens, computers, and other alerting devices, physical panic buttons) to create an ecosystem of school safety.
• “Raptor’s flexibility allows us to fully customize the Raptor Alert app buttons to match our existing terminology at LCS. This alignment reduces confusion and streamlines the alerting process for our staff, ensuring faster response times. Instead of adjusting our protocols to fit the system, we can tailor Raptor’s tools to fit our needs—saving valuable seconds in a crisis.” Nick Caputo, Division Coordinator for School Safety & Security at Lynchburg City Schools, VA

Two-Way Communication for Real-Time Leadership

Things change quickly in emergencies. Raptor enables staff, public safety, and incident commanders to stay updated in real-time through group messaging.

The group messaging feature within Raptor Alert provides critical communication capabilities during any emergency. Easy-to-use and familiar group messaging features make it intuitive for users to leverage this critical communication tool. As information becomes available, staff and administrators, along with law enforcement, can make informed decisions and effectively direct resources to mitigate risks.

The Confidence to Protect: Hands-On Emergency Drills with Raptor Alert Ensure Staff Preparedness

On February 3, during a firearm incident, 1,096 students and staff remained safe due to a seamless lockdown and communication facilitated by Raptor Alert.

“The time between recognizing a threat and taking action can mean the difference between safety and tragedy. Raptor eliminates delays by ensuring alerts go out instantly, giving staff and first responders the critical seconds they need to act. Seconds save lives. And Raptor gives you those seconds.

The day we found a gun on campus, 1,096 students and staff were protected because of Raptor.”

Lynchburg City Schools trains staff regularly, using Raptor in their monthly drills to ensure muscle memory and emergency response readiness.

Raptor Drill Manager gives schools the power to prepare for any situation.

• Simplify federal and state-mandated drill compliance and management by scheduling, initiating, logging and tracking drills from any smart device.
• Automatic alerts and notifications help ensure all staff and first responders are informed while drill details are logged directly from the app.
• District administrators can view the drill status of each building and easily create reports to meet compliance requirements.
• Drill data and reports are at your fingertips for analytical and investigative purposes.Quickly identify areas for improvement and gauge progress toward better outcomes—and build confidence in staff and students to respond effectively during an emergency.

By integrating Raptor Alert into its safety framework, Lynchburg City Schools has set a new standard for preparedness, minimizing risks, and prioritizing the security and confidence of its students and staff.