CHANDLER — Seton Catholic Preparatory went into lockdown mode last week, but it was all planned. The Aug. 20 drill helped staff and students practice for the unthinkable and acted as a trial run of the high school’s new, nationally-recognized crisis management system.
Seton is the first Arizona school to install Sielox Class Crisis Lockdown Alert Status System. It will enhance awareness and communication to first responders in the event of an emergency. Sielox Class provides real-time information — including the ability to view interactive classroom maps on a range of computer devices and in patrol cars for both on-site and emergency personnel.
Julie Grindey, dean of students at Seton, knows it’s a privilege to be the first school in Arizona to install the alert system. She said the first lock down drill helped train teachers how to use it to secure their classrooms.
“It’s about minimizing response time and enhancing communication with campus security in any type of situation,” Grindey said. “One of our teachers has already used the system to inform campus security of a person who was unaccounted for on campus.”
Michael Baum is business development manager at Technical Systems, Inc., which is headquartered in Gilbert, and serves as Sielox Class local integration partner. He said the new security measure demonstrates Seton’s commitment to safeguarding students and teachers.
[quote_box_right]Brochure for crisis management system[/quote_box_right]”Sielox Class exponentially enhances Seton’s crisis communications. The system pinpoints where the danger is in your school and provides local law enforcement and emergency responders with critical information to respond in a safe and timely manner,” Baum said.
[quote_box_right]Work in Chandler? Contact a Crime Prevention Officer[/quote_box_right]To further heighten safety, Seton also announced the addition of Jack Barten as Campus Security Specialist. Barten retired in 2011 as police sergeant from the Chandler Police Department after 31 years in law enforcement. Barten once served as a Police Assisting Youth in School (PAYS) Officer and Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Officer plus he Special Assignments Unit (SWAT), Patrol, Criminal Investigations and community services.
“It is a privilege to welcome Jack, his wealth of experience and expertise in professional law enforcement to the Seton community,” said Grindey, dean of students. “Over the years, Seton has had a close working relationship with the Chandler Police Department. Adding a full-time Campus Security Specialist was a natural extension of our efforts and Jack is a natural fit.”
