NYC Launches New Emergency System to Protect Public Schools

By Y.M. Lowy

Mayor Eric Adams and Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser announced a new Emergency Alert System that connects public schools directly to 911. The system allows schools to send an instant alert to emergency responders during a dangerous situation, such as an active shooter or a weapon threat.

The first school to get the system is Spring Creek campus in Brooklyn, making it the first in the country to have direct 911 integration. Over the 2025–2026 school year, the program will expand to 25 school buildings across all five boroughs, covering 51 public schools in total.

Normally, schools must call 911 and go through a series of questions before help is sent. The new system skips that step. When activated, EAS immediately alerts 911 dispatchers, who can send emergency teams within seconds. Responders also get key details about the school through the system’s dashboard, helping them act quickly and accurately.

Inside the school, students and teachers will see and hear alerts showing that 911 has been notified and that the building is in lockdown. At the same time, the NYPD School Safety Division and New York City Public Schools officials receive electronic updates to coordinate their response.