In Case of Emergency: The Duress Button

Jon Jones ● Nov 18 ● 8 min read

What is a Duress Button?

A duress button is a device that can be used to call for help in an emergency situation. It is usually installed in a location that is easily accessible, such as a desk or on a lanyard. When the button is pressed, it sends a signal to a monitoring center that can dispatch help to the location where the button was pressed. Duress buttons are often used by individuals who work in schools, government buildings, hospitals, banks, and other businesses.

What Are The Benefits of a Duress Button?

There are many benefits of having a duress button installed. First, it can provide peace of mind knowing that there is a way to quickly summon help in an emergency situation. Additionally, a duress can deter would-be criminals from attempting to break into an organization or business. This is because a duress button makes it more likely that emergency responders will arrive to the scene before the criminal can get the chance to flee.

Moreover, a duress button dramatically reduces emergency response time, creating a safer environment for employees and customers. Finally, it can give people the feeling of empowerment knowing that they have a tool to help keep themselves safe.

A Duress Button: Modern Day Security Challenges

In today’s business world, security is more important than ever. With gun violence and theft on the rise, businesses must be extra vigilant in protecting their employees and customers. Here are some modern day security challenges businesses face and how to overcome them.

Intrusion detection is one of the most important security measures a business can take. By installing cameras, alarms, duress buttons, and other security devices, businesses can deter would-be intruders and catch them in the act if they do break in.

Another major security challenge faced by businesses is employee theft. This can be prevented by conducting background checks on all employees, implementing strict anti-theft policies, and monitoring employee activity with surveillance cameras and access control.

Gun violence is another serious threat to businesses. To prevent this, businesses should have strict policies against firearms on premises and promote a culture of safety throughout the workplace. Additionally, having duress buttons throughout the facility would be beneficial in case of a gun violence incident.

All in all, organizations have a responsibility to protect their employees from harm. By having a duress button in place as well as other security devices, they can make the workplace safer for everyone.

The Uses of A Duress Button

In the event of an emergency, every second counts. That’s why duress buttons are such a vital part of any security system. They can be used to immediately notify authorities in the event of a fire, medical emergency, or active shooter situation.

Duress buttons can be placed in strategic locations throughout a building so that they can be easily accessed in the event of an emergency. They can also be worn by employees as a wearable device. When activated, duress buttons send out a silent alarm to the designated authorities.

Security duress buttons are an important tool for keeping people safe in an emergency situation. They can help save lives by quickly alerting authorities to the problem so that they can respond quickly and effectively. Consider how the following organizations may benefit from a duress button:

Duress Buttons for Schools

In the wake of school shootings, many schools are reconsidering their safety procedures. One popular option is installing duress buttons.

Duress buttons can help prevent loss of life in a school shooting. In an active shooter situation, every second counts. The sooner law enforcement is notified, the sooner they can respond and potentially save lives.

Additionally ,duress buttons can help teachers alert other staff of an emergency so that more students and staff are taken to a safe place as quickly as possible. This is possible because Verkada’s Duress Button are customizable in terms of who is alerted in the event of an emergency.

Duress Buttons for Government Facilities

Considering the threats many government officials face everyday, it is important to implement duress buttons in government facilities.

Panic buttons would give employees a way to immediately notify authorities in the event of an active shooter. They would also allow for a quick and orderly evacuation of the building.

While no single measure can guarantee the safety of those inside a government building, duress buttons are a simple and effective way to improve security. By giving employees a way to quickly notify authorities in the event of an emergency, they can help save lives.

Duress Buttons for Hospitals

There have been many reports of violence in hospitals, both against patients and staff. Duress buttons can provide a quick and easy way for hospital staff to call for help in an emergency situation. Duress buttons can also help to deter potential attackers, as they will know that the hospital has a way to quickly summon help.

Installing duress buttons in hospitals is a simple and effective way to improve safety for both patients and staff. It can help to create a safer environment in the hospital, and give everyone peace of mind.

Duress Buttons for Banks

Although banks no longer carry large sums of cash, they continue to be the targets of many burglaries.

Duress buttons would provide an extra layer of security for both the employees and customers of a bank. In the event of a robbery or attack, employees could press the button to alert authorities.

Banks, like all other facilities, are also susceptible to other emergencies, like fires or natural disasters. In these cases, the duress button can be used to summon help from the fire department or other emergency services.

A Verkada Panic Button

Regardless of whether the emergency is because of an armed intruder, an assault, or a medical emergency, you should remain prepared to respond appropriately and quickly. With Verkada’s wireless duress button, you can call for help immediately and discreetly.

Learn More

Description of the Panic Button

Verkada’s Wireless Duress Button is perfect for schools, government facilities, hospitals, banks, and businesses. The button allows one to call for help immediately. Thus, it should be readily available throughout the facility. You can either mount the wireless panic buttons in easily accessible places, like on a wall or under a desk, or you can wear them on a lanyard or a belt. If you’d like a digital option, you can also access a button on the Command or Alarms app.

The wireless panic button is meant to be discrete – hence its design. Additionally, in order to retain its inconspicuous nature, the button is not audibly activated when pressed. Instead, the button’s LED light illuminates to show that the signal was sent and received successfully. However, users have the option to activate additional Verkada devices when they press the duress button; this includes devices that can lock doors, turn on sirens, or turn on strobe lights.

Moreover, you can determine who will be alerted and whether or not emergency services will be called automatically when the duress button is pressed. To help emergency responders gain an understanding of the situation, you can also pair up to 10 cameras to each duress button. Pairing cameras with the duress button allows you to quickly access live and previous video.

Using the Panic Button

In order to use the Wireless Duress Button, you’ll have to purchase an Alarms license that comes with round-the-clock professional monitoring. Additionally, you will need a BH61 Wireless Alarm Hub and Hub license. One single Wireless Alarm Hub can maintain up to 50 wireless sensors. These wireless sensors include panic buttons, motion, door contact, glass break, and water leak sensors. The Wireless Hub has a line-of-site range of up to 1000 feet. When pressed, a portable wireless button will automatically pair with the closest Hub and send a signal.

Features of the Panic Button

The duress button by Verkada has a number of features that make it appealing for many organizations. Consider the following:

• Visual Context: Through pairing the button with Verkada cameras, gain visual context of the situation.
• Customizable to User’s Preference: Adjust the button’s triggers and responses (e.g., automatically call first responder)
• 24/7 Monitoring: Integrated, round the clock, professional surveillance.
• Durable: 10 year-warranty and 5-year battery life guaranteed.
• Optional Emergency Responders Dispatch: With the click of a button, immediate police dispatch is available.

The Lock Down Feature

By pairing Verkada’s Wireless Panic button with Access Control devices, you can quickly initiate lockdown scenarios and response protocols. Additionally, you can activate lockdowns with a single tap on Command web or mobile or the Verkada Pass app. Moreover, Verkada’s powerful, integrated platform enables you to resolve emergency scenarios more quickly by running emergency roll call reports, sharing live video feeds, and remotely unlocking doors for emergency responders.

Learn More

How The Lockdown Function Operates: 

1. Set up your organization’s lockdown capabilities and scenarios. Any number of lockdown procedures can be created to ensure the safety of your facility.
2. Utilize Verkada’s integrated security platform to keep an eye on the environment.
3. From any device, activate lockdown scenarios with a single tap. Administrators have the ability to define which user groups can release and activate a lockdown scenario.
4. Remain informed and handle situations safely.

Lockdown features are included free of charge with every Verkada Access Control door license.

Keep your facility safe from intrusions and gun violence with the panicc button offered by Verkada. To learn more about other security measures for schools, click here.

Updated: Nov 18