The Benton Police Communication Department and the Benton School District are being recognized for their outstanding efforts to keep students safe and respond quickly during emergencies. Benton Police Department partners in safety with the Benton School District through the use of Rave Panic Button which provides rapid and accurate communication between school staff and 9-1-1 during emergencies.
Today, JP French, State Director for Rave Panic Button, will present Benton Communication Dispatchers Adelia Cooper and Tony Donaldson with the Rave SmartSave Award – an award presented by Rave Mobile Safety to honor 9-1-1 dispatchers and community partners for their exceptional work and dedication in response to emergency situations. As the Organization Administrator for Benton Schools District’s Rave Panic Button Facility Profile, Kevin Chastain will receive the Rave SmartSave Award for diligently building the school’s Facility Profile by updating emergency contacts, floorplans, and ensuring all school property was properly geofenced.
The award presentation will be held at 5:30 in the Professional Development Center of the Benton High School, located at 211 N. Border Steet in Benton.
Benton Police Communication Department received a 9-1-1 call from Benton High School on March 8th, reporting a student collapsed and was not breathing. The school’s Facility Profile displayed on the dispatcher’s screen showing the incident was on the baseball field. Using the Rave Panic Button, Benton Police Communication Department sent two messages to school district administrators, medical personnel and school resource officers notifying them of the emergency. Emergency responders were simultaneously dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival of first responders, the student was revived and transported to the hospital.
“These dispatchers’ quick response and use of the Rave Panic Button to not only send help but to initiate the school’s emergency response plan saved this student’s life,” said JP French, State Director for Rave Panic Button. “Instantly sharing information with schools is invaluable and made a significant difference in this situation.”
The Rave Panic Button has revolutionized emergency response in Arkansas schools and has improved communication between 9-1-1, first responders, and on-site school staff. Arkansas school employees can activate the Rave Panic Button through their smartphone which instantly dials 9-1-1 while simultaneously sending notification to on-site personnel. The role of 9-1-1 in a school emergency has evolved greatly in Arkansas thanks to the Rave Panic Button. Now, 9-1-1, first responders and schools have a strong partnership and are fully integrated into school and public safety emergency plans.
