Schools add panic buttons to communicate during emergencies

EVERETT — Just months after the fatal shootings at Marysville Pilchuck High School in October, Snohomish County school districts are adding panic buttons to more than 80 campuses.

The buttons are part of a smartphone application that will be used by school staff, emergency dispatchers and first responders for communication during campus emergencies. Two Everett schools started a pilot program in August.

Participating school districts are Arlington, Everett, Lakewood, Marysville, Monroe, Snohomish, Stanwood and Sultan. Meetings are planned next week to begin the larger rollout.

Eventually, the idea is to add firefighters, medics and private schools to the notification network, officials said.

The program is funded by a $250,000 grant from the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Each district is expected to start with the buttons at one school to get the hang of it. Not everyone is notified of every emergency, as school administrators decide on specific groups in advance.

Rave is made by the same company as Smart911, the program rolled out in the county in 2014 that encourages people to share information about their households for dispatchers in case of an emergency.

The panic buttons are for all emergencies, including school shootings, said Kurt Mills, the executive director at SNOPAC, the dispatch center based in Everett. For example, the buttons could summon help if someone suffers a heart attack on a playground, or a hazardous chemical is spilled in the science lab.

If pushed, the button automatically calls 911 and sends alerts to the designated groups. As the call is connected, school officials are notified that something is happening on the campus.

That means more notice to start making a plan, said Crystal Ayco, SNOPAC operations coordinator.

“It’s not a huge amount of time but it’s critical seconds,” she said.

SNOPAC and Everett Public Schools worked together to get the grant. They were part of the company’s development phase for Rave, offering feedback and suggesting changes. That partnership that saved money, Mills said. The schools won’t face any maintenance fees.

Lessons are being applied to emergency planning from the October shootings that left five students from Marysville Pilchuck High School dead, he said.

“The concept is faster dissemination of information,” he said.

That means more details about what exactly is happening being sent to staff, Ayco said. That includes bus drivers, as buses coming and going often add to the confusion during emergencies. Buses could be diverted before that happens, Mills said.

Rave is just one prong of ongoing efforts to improve school security, said Everett police Sgt. Tim Reeves, who supervises the department’s school resource officers. That means more communication among neighboring campuses, even during routine lockdowns, he said.

“It’s all part of the puzzle,” he said.

The more accurate information is available to school officials, the more quickly it can reach families, regardless of what’s being said on social media, Everett district spokeswoman Mary Waggoner said. Recent bogus threats have proven that need.

Everett Community College started using a tool similar to Rave in December to notify staff, students, parents and neighbors during emergencies, spokeswoman Katherine Schiffner said.

Unlike the EvCC program, Rave is not available to the general public.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Founder of Faith Lutheran Food Bank Roxana Boroujerd helps direct car line traffic while standing next to a whiteboard alerting clients to their date of closing on Friday, April 25, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Faith Food Bank to close, replacement uncertain

The food bank’s last distribution day will be May 9, following a disagreement with the church over its lease.

Anna Marie Laurence speaks to the Everett Public Schools Board of Directors on Thursday, May 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Everett school board selects former prosecutor to fill vacancy

Anna Marie Laurence will fill the seat left vacant after Caroline Mason resigned on March 11.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves potential staff cuts, eyes legislation

The district is awaiting action from Gov. Bob Ferguson on three bills that could bridge its $8.5 million deficit.

Janet Garcia walks into the courtroom for her arraignment at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday, April 22, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett mother found competent to stand trial in stabbing death of 4-year-old son

A year after her arraignment, Janet Garcia appeared in court Wednesday for a competency hearing in the death of her son, Ariel Garcia.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Brier in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Brier police levy fails; officials warn current staffing is not sustainable

With no new funding, officials say the department will remain stretched thin.

Fosse will not seek reelection; 2 candidates set to run for her seat

Mason Rutledge and Sam Hem announced this week they will seek the District 1 City Council position.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police arrest two males in shooting at Swift bus

Man, 19, is booked for investigation of attempted murder. 17-year-old held at Denney Juvenile Justice Center on similar charges.

K-POP Empire store owners Todd Dickinson and Ricky Steinlars at their new store location on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood K-pop store wary of new tariffs

Much of the store’s merchandise, which arrives from China and South Korea, is facing new import fees.

Two-alarm fire destroys storage units, vehicles in South Everett

Nearly 60 firefighters from multiple agencies responded to the blaze. No initial word on a cause.

Christian Sayre sits in the courtroom before the start of jury selection on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Christian Sayre timeline

FEBRUARY 2020 A woman reports a sexual assault by Sayre. Her sexual… Continue reading

Snohomish County prosecutor Martha Saracino delivers her opening statement at the start of the trial for Christian Sayre at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday, May 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Opening statements begin in fourth trial of former bar owner

A woman gave her account of an alleged sexual assault in 2017. The trial is expected to last through May 16.

Lynnwood
Deputies: 11-year-old in custody after bringing knives to Lynnwood school

The boy has been transported to Denney Juvenile Justice Center. The school was placed in a modified after-school lockdown Monday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.