SIA New Member Profile: Catapult EMS

people with Catapult EMS mobile tool

New Security Industry Association (SIA) member Catapult EMS is an advanced emergency management and communication software system designed for K-12 schools that helps users develop emergency communication plans and use real-time student accounting, reunification, staff location check-ins, threat report management and more from a cloud-based system. The company – part of Catapult K12 – is headquartered in Roseville, California, with clients in 20 states across the United States.

SIA spoke with Jason Jeffery, president and CEO of Catapult EMS, about the company, the security industry and working with SIA.

person using Catapult EMS on computer

SIA: Tell us the story of your company.

Jason Jeffery: Catapult K12 has been in business as a provider of web solutions since 2000. The company started with an easy-to-use content management system (Catapult CMS), which turned out to be perfect for K-12 schools and districts. This led us to the development of more K-12 web tools and to our current specialization as a leader in integrated communication solutions for schools.

Catapult EMS, our emergency management system (EMS) for schools, began because our K-12 customers recognized a need and asked us for help. They needed a way to get real-time student accountability in emergency situations, and they knew we could help. We had experience with creating robust web-based applications and already had the capability for single sign-on and student information system integration, as well as being an independent developer. We were invited to sit down with the Butte County safety meeting participants to design a plan. We had school superintendents on one side and law enforcement on the other – the sheriff’s office, the California Highway Patrol, local police departments and state officials. I facilitated determining the information needed by law enforcement and helped to map out the flow of information from superintendent and school sites to first responders.

Our in-depth knowledge of the K-12 market from our CMS experience enabled us to develop the Catapult EMS now used by more than 750 school sites across the country.

person using Catapult service with students

What solutions/services does your business offer in the security industry? And what makes your offerings/company unique?

JJ: Catapult EMS offers a K-12 school crisis and emergency mass alert notification system that keeps teachers, school sites, district, law enforcement and first responders fully informed throughout a crisis situation.

The four-part integrated emergency system includes:

  • Anonymous tip reporting includes bully reports, harm to self, harm to others, defacing property and more. We have partnered with WeTip for a 24/7 monitoring center, so schools don’t have to do monitoring themselves. The district’s dedicated bully response team or the site safety team is notified via text and email so that they can address and respond to the anonymous report in a timely and responsive manner.
  • The incident reporting and escalation process allows changing response to a crisis, such as lockdown, lockout, shelter in place and active assailant. Emergency alerts are sent to a specified emergency phone tree which alerts district administrators, safety teams, teachers, staff, substitutes and law enforcement via phone, text and email on- or offsite. During an emergency,  safety teams on other sites or organizations in close proximity to the school may also receive the alerts, as long as both organizations give authorization. IP/VoIP integration is also available for automated classroom calls and PA announcements.
  • Real-time emergency management provides real-time student and staff accountability, digital emergency resources, two-way communication and first responder integration.
  • Parent-student reunification allows students to be reunited with their emergency contacts at the conclusion of an emergency. Catapult EMS is aligned with the “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s standard reunification process.

Other notable features:

  • The Catapult EMS system is highly customizable so that it can adapt to the methodology or terminology used by the district.
  • Emergency communication system functions like an emergency chat room for participants.
  • Communication groups can be defined to integrate with groups of parents, teachers, site safety teams, districts, first responders, etc.
  • Drill support: Catapult EMS personnel audit district/site drills to make sure they are using the software correctly.
  • Crisis event monitoring: During real-time emergencies, Catapult K12 personnel monitor the event and relay information as needed.
school officers with Catapult EMS tool

What makes your offerings/company unique?

JJ: The full Catapult EMS Incident Command Center is accessible by cell phone, enabling a school district to run a full incident by phone. The phone app, however, is offered but not required, so that personnel are not required to use their personal devices. A mobile-responsive Catapult EMS website allows personnel to access the system from district-supplied devices and email.

Training is very streamlined and efficient. We have worked with school districts to reduce the amount of training teachers require while still enabling them to fully use the system. Multiple training options include learning management system training, virtual trainings and onsite trainings.

What’s something we might not know about your company – or something new you’re doing in security?

JJ:As well as our emergency management solution (Catapult EMS), we offer a content management system solution (Catapult CMS), a parent/staff mass communication solution (Catapult Connect) and a school-based app for parents (Catapult App).

We were one of the first companies approved by Apple for an emergency override on cell phone silent mode for emergency alert.

Catapult EMS staff

What does SIA offer that is most important to you/your company? And what do you most hope to get out of your membership with SIA?

JJ: We are hoping to connect with more educational customers who can benefit from our emergency management system and hope to spread the message of our operation throughout the K-12 sector.

What do you enjoy most about being at your company – and in the security industry?

JJ: We are proud to be improving K-12 safety and making schools safer.

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts and/or profiles are those of the authors or sources and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Security Industry Association (SIA).