District 44 schools equipped with new emergency response system

Lombard Elementary District 44 schools have been equipped with new technology to more quickly and accurately notify first responders of a life-threatening emergency.

The BluePoint Alert Solutions rapid emergency response system, installed in all eight District 44 schools, uses pull stations, wearable mobile devices and computer applications to notify police and warn everyone in the building of danger, according to the district.

Separate pull stations also were added to alert first responders to a medical or health issue, such as a severe reaction to a food allergy.

School officials held a live demonstration of the system Thursday at Glenn Westlake Middle School. The system goes live this week.

"The safety and security of our students and staff is our No. 1 priority," Superintendent Ted Stec said in a statement. "The BluePoint system allows us to have immediate access to emergency officials so they can respond faster and with the information they need for more informed decision-making."

When the system is activated, emergency responders receive notice of the specific school and exact location within the facility where the crisis is occurring, district officials said. Authorities also can view live camera feeds from the school and have access to a platform that allows them to communicate with building occupants.

The district is one of the first in DuPage County to implement the technology.