K-12 School Safety / Glossary
Glossary
School safety mapping, defined
The terms behind school safety mapping, in plain language. Each definition is vendor-neutral and tied to an authoritative source, so you can use it, cite it, and trust it. Start with a term below.
Critical incident mapping
Critical incident mapping is the practice of producing detailed, first-responder-usable maps of a facility's interior and exterior so that police, fire, and EMS can navigate and coordinate during an emergency.
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Digital twin
A digital twin is a digital representation of a specific real-world physical object, system, or environment that mirrors its features and behavior.
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School mapping mandate
A school mapping mandate is a state law that requires schools to provide accurate site and floor maps of their campuses to law enforcement and emergency first responders for use during a critical incident.
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Responder-ready map
A responder-ready map is a facility map prepared specifically so that police, fire, and EMS personnel can use it during an emergency, with accurate room and door labels, marked access points and hazards, and an orientation responders can act on.
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True-north orientation (in emergency mapping)
True-north orientation is the mapping principle that a site plan or responder map should be aligned to true north, or clearly indicate north, so that responders can match the map to their real-world bearings.
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Gridded floor plan / x-y grid overlay
A gridded floor plan is a facility map or floor plan with a labeled coordinate grid (for example A1, B2) laid over it so responders can name and communicate precise locations during an emergency.
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Walk-through verification (of a facility map)
Walk-through verification is the practice of physically walking a facility and its grounds to confirm that a map or floor plan matches real conditions, including door labels, room numbers, access points, and hazard locations.
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LiDAR scanning
LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses a pulsed laser to measure ranges (distances) to a surface.
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RapidSOS
RapidSOS is a commercial emergency response data platform that links data from connected devices, apps, and sensors to 911 emergency communications centers (ECCs, also called PSAPs) and first responders.
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AED (automated external defibrillator)
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a lightweight, portable, battery-operated medical device that checks the heart's rhythm and can deliver an electric shock to help restore a normal rhythm in a person experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
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Access control (physical security)
Access control in physical security is the practice of granting or denying who may enter specific areas of a facility, using mechanisms such as locks, badges, credentials, and electronic systems.
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Site plan / floor plan standard for first responders
A site plan or floor plan standard for first responders is a standardized way of documenting a facility's layout, access points, hazards, and protection systems so emergency responders can plan and act before and during an incident.
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Alyssa's Law (panic-alert legislation)
Alyssa's Law is panic-alert legislation that requires public schools to install silent panic alarms that link directly to law enforcement or 911 for rapid emergency response.
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Reunification (school emergency reunification)
School emergency reunification is the planned, controlled process of safely reuniting students with their verified, authorized parents or guardians after an emergency or evacuation that disrupts the school day.
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See it applied to your state
Where your state stands on school safety mapping, and the funding available to pay for it.
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