By Don Roth, CEO of AmpliVox Sound Systems
When emergencies arise in schools and other crowded areas, the first priority of administrators is to quickly move students and staff to places of safety.
Whether the emergency is related to accidents, natural causes, or violence, panic and confusion greatly increases the risk of casualties.
When public safety is on the line, it is vital that school leadership, security staff, and other first responders have the ability to clearly communicate with large groups of people on a moment’s notice.
All too often, emergency situations create obstacles to communication – power may be cut off, access routes may be blocked, isolated response teams may be operating with inaccurate information, or teams may have difficulty getting instructions to large groups of frightened people.
In establishing disaster preparedness plans, school emergency personnel should have equipment ready to go, ensuring that communication remains available despite the obstacles.
Portable sound systems are an essential tool for responders to have on hand for these unpredictable emergency situations.
Today’s systems come in a wide variety of models to serve different functions, but one central purpose is common to all: providing reliable, grab-and-go communication to calm, direct, and inform large groups of people in times of crisis.
(See in Action! Courtesy of AmpliVox Sound Systems and YouTube. Posted on Dec 4, 2014.)
AmpliVox Half Mile Hailer PA System
- The PA system that lives up to its name, the AmpliVox Half-Mile Hailer, project clear sound up to a half mile away.
- An easy to use 50 Watt amp really powers out the sound, just turn it on, adjust the volume and start talking.
- The weather proof horn speaker produces wider sound dispersion than other available products. The handy shoulder strap frees up your hands and also lets you be seen.
- The amplifier runs on 10 D cell batteries good for 200 hours of operation or optional rechargeable NiCad battery with AC adapter recharger.
- The amplifier features: dual wireless microphone jacks for multiple presenters, auxiliary input for iPhone or CD player, line out for recording, additional speaker jacks and volume and tone controls.
- There is even a siren button.
Consider how form follows function to fit the needs of your response requirements:
Coordinate communication from centralized authority.
- Emergency leadership may need to direct response teams and civilians from remote locations.
- Powerful portable sound systems can provide closed communication networks to cover large areas, indoors or out, using MURS two-way radios and radio-connected hailer speakers.
- Multiple speakers can be set up in seconds in locations up to a mile apart, allowing for the broadest communication coverage from a single command center.
- AmpliVox Sound Systems developed its Radio Hailer system for private security applications for the investment firm Goldman Sachs, allowing management to coordinate safety communication from multiple locations around its New York City and Jersey City offices.
- The same affordable, easy-to-use technology can be put to use on school campuses for swift, effective responses.
(See in Action! Courtesy of AmpliVox Sound Systems and YouTube. Posted on Jul 17, 2015.)
AmpliVox Mity-Lite
- The AmpliVox Mity-Lite is a six and a half pound portable pa you can take anywhere, indoors or out to reach up to 350 people with crystal clear voice or music.
- Its powerful 35 watt amp can project sound to a room as large as 1500 square feet.
- It operates on AC power or an internal rechargeable battery that blasts up to 8 hours.
- Mity-Lite embedded Bluetooth capability lets you stream music from enabled device such as a smartphone.
- The Mity-Lite PA features include a16 channel wireless receiver. 1/4” jack for optional wireless mic, 3.5 mm input jack for other audio devices, 3.5 mm output jack for recording device or speaker, Tone and volume controls, Bluetooth module, and it comes with a convenient carrying case.
Keep powerful megaphones on hand for swift response.
- Megaphones pack a great deal of versatility and power into compact, portable units.
- These easy-to-use sound systems are ready for action when needed, even under harsh conditions.
- Today’s best megaphones use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries to reduce weight and provide long-lasting charges, whether in use or on the shelf.
- They can deliver voice coverage up to a mile, and also grab attention with on-board horn or siren functions.
- For added safety and visibility, consider a megaphone that includes an integrated strobe signal light signal.
- AmpliVox provides its Mity Meg Rechargeable Megaphones to the American Red Cross to help disaster response teams coordinate emergency services.
(See in Action! Courtesy of AmpliVox Sound Systems and YouTube. Posted on Jun 26, 2014.)
AmpliVox Mity-Meg Megaphones
- Extend your voice in large open spaces with the AmpliVox Mity-Meg Megaphones.
- They are ideal for crowd control, announcements in noisy environments or emergency services.
- Mity-Megs 25 Watt power lets you reach even far away audiences.
- Use Mity-Meg Plus not only to talk, but sound emergency signals.
- The Mity-Meg Plus model has an adjustable shoulder strap and detachable mic with its own volume control, makes it easy to be heard loud and clear.
- Mity-Megs are powered by either conventional batteries or rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that can be reused hundreds of times.
- A battery strength indicator shows you when it is time to recharge or replace the batteries. You can switch battery type anytime, so you are never out of power.
- There is an optional carry bag to protect the unit.
Combine visual cues with audio support for maximum impact.
Safety Strobe Megaphone & LED Safety Wand
- In a chaotic evacuation, people will be looking for visible direction from authorities.
- Visibility can be greatly enhanced, even in dark or smoky situations, with simple tools like lighted traffic batons.
- Innovative new products now combine that visual support with audio loudspeakers to guide people to safety.
- Useful in any traffic control or crowd management situation, these versatile products are especially helpful in emergencies.
(See in Action! Courtesy of AmpliVox Sound Systems and YouTube. Posted on Dec 22, 2015.)
AmpliVox Safety Wand Megaphone
- Safety always comes first, and that’s why the AmpliVox Safety Wand Megaphone should always be handy in your safety kit.
- The Safety Wand Megaphone includes a range of features not found in other products.
- It has a steady red light, flashing red light, emergency whistle, and it even has a megaphone that unhooks from the base providing 20 watts of power for audible safety warnings and directions.
- The light has a visibility of up to 3000 yards, to ensure that warnings and signals won’t be missed.
- Its built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 100 hours of use.
- It even includes a convenient belt clip.
Use vehicles as mobile command stations.
- When covering large areas, roof-mounted sound systems on emergency vehicles provide the most mobile and effective means of communication.
- Durable, powerful hailer loudspeakers can be heard for up to half a mile.
- They can be attached in minutes and powered directly from the vehicle.
Portable sound systems are an essential tool for responders to have on hand for these unpredictable public safety situations.
Today’s systems come in a wide variety of models to serve different functions, but one central purpose is common to all: providing reliable, grab-and-go communication to calm, direct, and inform large groups of people in times of crisis.
(See in Action! Courtesy of AmpliVox Sound Systems and YouTube. Posted on Mar 21, 2015.)
AmpliVox Sound Cruiser Systems
- Take your message on the road with the AmpliVox Sound Cruiser, or AmpliVox Quad Sound Cruiser.
- Reach audiences up to 3,000 and cover the length of a football field with strong, clear, crisp sound.
- The horn speakers mount easily and firmly on a vehicle roof with non-marring suction cups and butter hooks.
- The powerful 50 watt amplifier lets you really crank up the sound.
- The amplifier can be plugged into a car’s cigarette lighter socket, direct wire to car battery, or optional battery pack with 10 D Cell batteries good for 200 hours of operation, or rechargeable NiCad battery with AC Adapter Recharger.
- The amplifier features, Dual wireless microphone jacks for multiple presenters, auxiliary input for iPhone or CD player, line out for recording, additional speaker jacks, volume and tone controls.
- There is even a siren button.
These examples demonstrate the versatility and effectiveness that portable sound systems offer for school emergency response teams.
Easy to use and ready to go, these tools improve communication in any crowd control situation – which means improved safety for civilians as well as responders.
Now more than ever, investing in reliable sound equipment must be a central part of any crisis management plan.
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