Able 2 Products Designs Reverse Evacuation System, Local Students Benefit
Local manufacturer Able 2 Products has designed a reverse evacuation alarm system and Cassville School District is among one of the first in the country to utilize this type of safety measure.
The Reverse Evacuation Alarm system is a 12 volt, battery operated system that will alert students and staff that are outside that they should return inside immediately.
“There are situations when students may be outside and we need them to come inside due to safety concerns. We will sound the alarm if there is severe weather in the area, an intruder outside of the building, suspicious animal outside or other situations that could arise,” stated Richard Asbill, Cassville School District Superintendent. “Student safety is our number one priority at all times. We saw this alarm as an additional opportunity to be prepared in the case of an emergency.”
The district has purchased two alarm systems that have been mounted at Eunice Thomas Elementary and the Intermediate Building because students in both of those buildings participate in daily outside recesses. In addition to the system being installed inside, two, 127 decibel speakers have been mounted to the outside of the buildings.
A school administrator must sound the alarm and 911 will automatically be dispatched.
“We are able to design the circuit board and build the product right here in Cassville,” said Greg Beck, National Sales Manager at Able 2 Products. “The only component of the alarm that was not built in our local plant is the outer shell.”
Able 2 designed the system with school safety in mind; however, they have seen interest from industries across the US as well. In Southwest Missouri, Verona School has a unit installed and the MacDonald County School District has committed for one unit to be installed at their Whiterock location for testing.
“Anytime we can increase safety for our students, we will,” stated Dusty Reid, Director of Facilities and Operations. “When Greg came to us with the idea of the new alarm system, we quickly realized this would be a great fit for our district. We also were proud to utilize a product created from one of our own local industries.”
Able 2 Products is located at 804 E Highway 248 in Cassville and manufactures lighting and sound products for the police, fire and emergency markets.