The Baldwin County School District (BCSD) has announced the successful acquisition of a $225,000 Safer Georgia Schools Grant by Director of Safety and Security Corey Goble.
This grant is administered by the Office of Whole Child Supports through the Georgia Department of Education and marks a significant milestone in advancing technological capabilities for both the school district and local first responders.
Goble emphasized the primary focus of the grant, stating, “Our goal with this grant is to not only strengthen communication capabilities between the school district and first responders but also to enhance the current capacity of our E-911 Center.”
The grant will fund the installation of multiple police band radios in every school within the district, providing administrators, department chairs, and department heads with direct access to these radios. This strategic initiative aims to significantly improve communication during emergencies and foster seamless collaboration with first responders.
Goble highlighted the importance of this advancement, “We are essentially equipping our staff with the same radio technology carried by sheriff's deputies, EMTs, paramedics, police officers, and firefighters.”
The upgraded radio system addresses the limitations of the existing radios, which do not operate on an E-911 system. The new radios will include a panic button, capable of shutting down all other communication channels and enabling direct communication with emergency dispatchers. This feature ensures an immediate response in crisis situations.
'Baldwin will be one of fewer than 20 districts statewide equipped with this capability, and easily the smallest, positioning us at the forefront.
This places us in a unique position to assist other districts in navigating this process. It's another critical step in making our district as safe and secure as any district in the state,” said Goble.
The Baldwin County School District remains dedicated to staying ahead of safety and security challenges, actively seeking and securing grants, such as the Safer Georgia Schools Grant.