Tennessee teachers may have to wear these devices for emergencies

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Teachers in Tennessee may be able to save lives with a small device. It would contact first responders in an emergency, but it is new and expensive. That’s why lawmakers are proposing a bill to give schools grant money and equip their staff.

Some devices are just a card on a lanyard with a button to contact first responders. Currently, not many businesses supply them.

“I think they are a good idea,” said JC Bowman, with Professional Educators of Tennessee and a former teacher. “Once it comes out and there’s money, you’ll see companies come out of the woodwork.”

Safety Cameras LLC is a company trying to make an imprint in the business. They are working with legislators sponsoring the bill to get their emergency smart device, with a camera, in schools.

Teachers would press a button to record live video of what’s happening in their classroom. First responders would then be able to see it and know what they will encounter on scene.

It’s a small box, the size of a business card, and schools don’t have them yet.

The company said most districts and schools are waiting to see if legislation passes so they don’t have to pay a steep price for them, but there are still some unknowns.

“How are you so confident these will do the job they are supposed to do?’ asked WSMV4′s Marissa Sulek.

“We have tested the technology,” said Mike Dunn, Safety Cameras LLC spokesperson. “The technology is real. It’s ready, it’s working.”

“We talked to some superintendents who don’t like that because it does bring some liability issues to the district if you record someone doing something,” said Bowman.

He knows some districts may have a problem with video technology and who to buy it from.

“We’ve seen multiple examples of people who want to get into the education market and get those bucks, and they don’t stand behind it,” said Bowman.

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