Panic Button Set to Launch Next Week at Wake County Schools: A Game Changer for School Safety

In a significant step toward enhancing school security, Wake County schools are rolling out the Rave Panic Button app across more than 130 schools on February 17, 2025. 

This digital safety tool is designed to provide teachers and staff with instant access to emergency services, enabling them to lock down schools within seconds in the event of a threat.

How Does the Panic Button Work?

The Rave Panic Button is an application that school staff can download on their phones. At the press of a button, users can instantly alert authorities, communicate in real-time, and initiate lockdown procedures. This rapid response capability is expected to drastically improve reaction times in critical situations.

Christina Cole, president of the Wake County North Carolina Association of Educators, sees the app as a valuable tool for school safety. “I think anything that will help us keep our students and staff safe is really important,” she said. “The speediness of it feels like something that’s helpful.”

Pilot Program and Rollout Challenges

Before its full implementation, the Rave Panic Button was tested in a pilot program at 27 Wake County schools between March and June 2024. The first phase was initially set to launch on January 13, followed by a second phase on February 3. However, software glitches unrelated to Rave delayed the launch, as the app faced difficulties accessing employee information and contact data.

Despite these setbacks, district officials have worked to resolve the technical issues, and the app is now ready for countywide deployment.

Training and Implementation Concerns

While the app is a welcome addition to school safety measures, some educators and administrators highlight the need for proper training to ensure its effectiveness. Janay Powell, director of campus culture at Maureen Joy Charter School, expressed concerns about staff readiness.

“[Staff members] just need to know what protocols are in place if they are hitting that panic button,” Powell said. “I think this could be a helpful thing once all of the kinks are worked out.”

Cole echoed a similar sentiment, emphasizing that while technology is useful, it is not a substitute for having well-trained professionals in schools. “More adults, professionals in the building are actually the things that keep us safe ... Again, not just the technology, but having the right people in the building to keep our school communities going and keep them safe,” she stated.

Testing and Emergency Readiness

During the pilot phase, no real emergency incidents required the use of the panic button. However, Wake County school officials conducted about a dozen tests to ensure that the system functioned properly, and all tests were successful.

Additionally, all local 911 centers in the county are now fully integrated with the Rave system, meaning emergency responders are prepared to receive and monitor alerts from the app.

Looking Ahead

As Wake County prepares for the full rollout of the Rave Panic Button, school board members are set to discuss the initiative during an upcoming safety and security committee meeting on Tuesday. Their discussions will likely address remaining concerns about training, implementation strategies, and how schools will balance technological solutions with traditional safety measures.

With the increasing emphasis on school safety, Wake County’s investment in the Rave Panic Button represents a forward-thinking approach to emergency preparedness. As schools continue to adapt to new security challenges, tools like this may become standard in ensuring the well-being of students and staff across the nation.