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RESPONDING TO ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATIONS

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The possibility of an active shooter on-site makes it necessary to have the appropriate awareness, training and protocols in place. These ensure overall safety, avoid injuries and loss of life. An often overlooked asset in responding to an active shooter is the video surveillance or CCTV solution, which tends to be used after-the-fact or forensically. With every second being of essence when responding to an active shooter, can we find a way to leverage cameras in the building to ensure a quicker response and create instant situational awareness for responders? Of course, this must be done without creating a distraction from their core mission of containing and defeating the threat and providing aid to those in need.

Video surveillance cameras typically record to a DVR or a NVR inside the building, and are generally viewable inside the facility. While networked video solutions make it possible to look at live video from outside the building, that requires pre-installation and setup of viewer software on specific PCs or workstations. Even if such remote access were set up, it is hard if not impossible to easily access such a workstation on the scene, because it may be placed at the local police department or emergency command center. With the possibility of tens of cameras on-site, live viewing alone may still be very timeconsuming to cycle through all cameras or attempt to bring up all cameras live from a responders vehicle or cell phone.

These limitations of first and second generation video surveillance (DVR and NVR) solutions limit their utility in an active shooter situation. Fortunately, with advances in cloud technology and artificial intelligence (AI), a third generation solution can provide critical insights to responders on the move. CheckVideo is a third generation solution that upgrades a first generation DVR or second generation NVR to provide that critical connectivity and intelligence to first responders.

Checkvideo provides three crucial benefits that aid with timely and targeted response.

Web and Mobile Access

Having access to video cameras on-site or while first responders are enroute can dramatically change the speed and method of response. With increased situational awareness, it is possible to know about any threats before they enter the premises.

For web access, no additional software, IP addresses or downloads are required. Best of all, video can be streamed over cellular connections. Such access can be automatically enabled for responders when an emergency protocol is activated.

Multiple Users

Using the power of cloud-based streaming, CheckVideo can support tens or hundreds of users simultaneously viewing live video. Even though on-site equipment may be limited to 3-4 users at a time, CheckVideo can re-stream live video through cloud servers. An added benefit is that no additional bandwidth or network connectivity needs to be provided on-site.

Push Notifications

With proper training, individuals should seek cover when alerted to an active shooter on premise. For responders, it is important to narrow down or locate the shooter(s) inside the facility. With intelligence added to the camera system, it can send video notifications of personnel in the corridors or in specific areas. These notifications can be pushed instantly to mobile phones as text messages, with a snapshot or link to video. As the shooter(s) traverse the building, push notifications help continue to track and follow their movements, which is invaluable for ensuring safety and to direct a coordinated response.

About CheckVideo

CheckVideo is the leader in intelligent video security solutions. Starting with breach detection solutions for airports in 1999, CheckVideo serves thousands of customers today with pro-active security solutions meant to stop crime and prevent losses. Its unique combination of AI-based video detection along with the award-winning CloudVMS provides the most cost-effective, extensible and complete video solution available.

CheckVideo has won over 10 awards and holds over 25 patents on video technology including detection, compression and transmission. All CheckVideo software is developed in Virginia, and supported by a team of experienced engineers.

Having access to video cameras on-site or while first responders are enroute can dramatically change the speed and method of response. With increased situational awareness, it is possible to know about any threats before they enter the premises.