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Tag: National Safety Shelters

  • As America Hits Milestone of 1,000 Incidents of Gunfire at Schools, Officials Seek Better Ways to Protect Students

    As America Hits Milestone of 1,000 Incidents of Gunfire at Schools, Officials Seek Better Ways to Protect Students

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    National Safety Shelters sees sharp increase in demand for bulletproof pods to protect students, teachers and staff from active shooters.

    Press Release


    Dec 20, 2022 09:00 EST

    As the United States hits the alarming milestone of 1,000 incidents of gunfire in schools in the last decade, school officials are looking for better ways to protect children, including in-classroom safety pods from National Safety Shelters.

    Despite traditional safety measures like security guards, metal detectors, pat-downs and more, armed assailants are penetrating school security perimeters and gaining access to classrooms, with deadly consequences. Everytown for Gun Safety, a respected group working to reduce gun violence, reports that this year, U.S. schools reached 1,000 shooting incidents since the group began compiling data in 2013. 

    Those shootings resulted in 331 deaths and 698 injuries, in addition to creating pervasive anxiety and fear: Only 31% of parents of children in grades K-12 say they feel their kids are safe at school.

    Teachers say that schools and classrooms provide little protection in the case of an active shooter.

    “It’s heartbreaking that teachers themselves describe students and faculty as ‘sitting ducks’ in the classroom,” said Dennis Corrado, founder and president of National Safety Shelters. “Some school leaders are recognizing they need to provide better protection, and as a result, we’re seeing a sharp increase in inquiries and purchases of safety pods from school districts across the country.”

    The Final Report of the Federal Commission on School Safety recommends that schools should “seek to create secure spaces within classrooms where students and teachers can shelter in case of an active shooter.” National Safety Shelters’ classroom pods offer precisely that – immediate and unbreachable “secure spaces within classrooms,” with walls made of quarter-inch American-made NIJ Ballistic Level III steel – a material that can withstand the intensity of semi-automatic weapons.

    Some school districts are taking these proactive measures and attracting the attention of safety-minded parents. After the Quitman School District in Quitman, Arkansas, invested in National Safety Shelters pods in all their classrooms, enrollment went up 20%.

    Quitman superintendent Dennis Truxler recommends to all administrators and school boards that they “seriously consider adding classroom shelters to their schools” as a safety net against active shooters.

    To learn more about protecting your school, visit https://nationalsafetyshelters.com

    About National Safety Shelters

    National Safety Shelters offers Safety Pods, Safety Shelters, and Safe Rooms for instant protection from armed intruders, EF5 tornadoes, bomb threats, and even earthquakes. Visit https://nationalsafetyshelters.com to learn how National Safety Shelters can protect your school.

    Source: National Safety Shelters

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  • National Safety Shelters Offers Protection With the Threat of School Shootings a Top Concern for Parents

    National Safety Shelters Offers Protection With the Threat of School Shootings a Top Concern for Parents

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    Only 31% of parents feel their children are “very safe” at school, according to a recent study.

    Press Release


    Sep 15, 2022

    As children head back into the classroom for the new school year, the top concern for parents remains that of school shootings, as revealed in the 2022 Back-to-School Study from Qualtrics.

    The study, which was fielded between July 19-29, 2022, from more than 1,000 respondents, revealed just how much the ongoing threat of gun violence continues to weigh heavy on parents’ minds:

    • The top school safety concern for parents is school shootings, topping bullying and COVID.
    • Only 31% of K-12 parents say they feel their children are “very safe.”
    • More than one-tenth (13%) of parents have moved their kids to new schools due to safety concerns, with an additional third (33%) considering doing so.

    Even though the school year has only just begun, the May 24 attack on Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, has the possibility of a worst-case scenario weighing heavy on parents’ minds. In turn, educational institutions continue their quests to find better ways to prepare for the possibility that such an event could take place on their grounds.

    In response to the 2018 Parkland school shooting, the Final Report of the Federal Commission on School Safety, released Dec. 18, 2018, recommends that schools should “seek to create secure spaces within classrooms where students and teachers can shelter in the case of an active shooter.”

    National Safety Shelters developed a way to fulfill the above recommendation – classroom safety pods. Not only do the pods give students and teachers immediate protection from an active shooter, but parents can now be confident that their kids have an impenetrable place to shelter during an attack.

    “Although the pods were originally manufactured as tornado shelters, the design was modified after the Sandy Hook tragedy in December 2012 with the intent of offering them to schools as a dual-purpose safety measure: to protect from tornadoes and active shooters,” said Dennis Corrado, President of National Safety Shelters. “With parents sending their children back to school following the Uvalde tragedy, there is a growing need for them to know that their children are as safe as possible.”

    National Safety Shelters pods are made using quarter-inch American-made NIJ Ballistic Level III steel. This military-grade steel is specially heat-treated to resist not only handguns and shotguns, but also semi-automatic weapons commonly used in mass shootings, like AK-47 and AR-15 rifles. The steel used in the NIJ Ballistic Level III shelters has been tested by the U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center. It has met or surpassed the minimum required V50 ballistic limit protection criteria for Class 1 armor.

    School systems nationwide are taking note, such as the Quitman School District in Quitman, Arkansas, investing in National Safety Shelters pods to protect its students. The district attributes its 20% increase in enrollment to parents seeking a district with a commitment to safety and said the additional government revenue from the increased enrollment covered the cost of the pods.

    Visit www.nationalsafetyshelters.com for more information on how National Safety Shelters safety pods can protect your school or business.

    About National Safety Shelters 
    National Safety Shelters safety pods provide instant protection from violence-related incidents, including armed intruders and severe weather, including EF5 tornadoes. Their modular design can be formatted to fit any particular need. Please visit http://nationalsafetyshelters.com to learn more about how National Safety Shelters’ safety pods can protect your school or business.

    Media Contact 

    Dan Johnson 
    dan.johnson@newswire.com 

    Source: National Safety Shelters

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  • National Safety Shelters Partners With School District to Improve School Security With Safety Pods

    National Safety Shelters Partners With School District to Improve School Security With Safety Pods

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    Schools that install safety pods can see an increase in revenue due to higher enrollment, as parents feel secure in dropping their children off at schools that offer greater protection from active shooters and tornadoes

    Press Release


    Jul 12, 2022

    A recent survey conducted with school teachers indicates that nearly half are contemplating transferring schools or quitting altogether due to their concerns about safety. The time to invest in better safety and security measures for schools is now. As the Quitman School District in Arkansas can attest, installing and utilizing National Safety Shelters‘ safety pods has made a positive impact on the peace of mind of parents and educators and has been the catalyst for driving more revenue and enrollment.

    The Quitman school board made the decision to install National Safety Shelters’ safety pods in every classroom in 2018. Superintendents and school board members from other districts who have since personally toured the Quitman campus emphatically remarked that the safety pods are the best safety feature that a school district could invest in to protect their students and staff.

    Dennis Truxler, Superintendent at the Quitman School District, credits the security the safety pods provide ― and the peace of mind that comes with knowing they are there ― as part of the reason for the district’s 20% increase in student enrollment. Most of the new students have matriculated in from neighboring districts. Significantly, revenue from the increase in student enrollment has more than covered the cost of purchasing and installing the safety pods. (Read more about Truxler’s decision to install National Safety Shelters safety pods in the Quitman School District in his full testimonial.)

    That revenue gain is driven in part by the safety pods having no operating or maintenance costs. Once a safety pod is installed, it is always ready for use, requires no maintenance, and will function optimally for years to come. The cost of a safety pod project over a 14-year enrollment period averages out to around $7 per month per student.

    Truxler describes parents’ reaction to the shelters as “overwhelmingly positive” and reiterates his gratitude for, and belief in, the investment. “I spent a lot of time researching and reading articles concerning school safety and nothing compares to our shelters. I am 100% satisfied with the security that the safety pods produced by National Safety Shelters provide to our students and staff.”

    The safety pods from National Safety Shelters are unique in that they serve a dual purpose – protection from both tornadoes and active shooters. They have been designed and tested to withstand the destructive forces of the highest category (EF5) tornado. In addition, each safety pod is constructed with American-made, National Institute of Justice (NIJ) ballistic Level III steel (MIL-DTL-46100). Being virtually bulletproof, the pods are capable of stopping bullets from semi-automatic weapons, such as AR-15 and AK-47 rifles, which are commonly used in mass shootings.

    The pods serve as an excellent defense layer for schools that are concerned about the dramatic rise in school shootings in recent years, since near-absolute protection for students is available. There is no longer the need to hide in fear in closets or under desks. Finally, a safety measure that can potentially eliminate casualties is now readily available.

    The design of the safety pods can be customized to satisfy any amount of square footage and any desired layout. Typically, each pod occupies less than 5% of the existing classroom space. Unlike other security measures, such as armed personnel, video surveillance systems, metal detectors, etc., the one-time investment comes with no operating or maintenance costs. The safety pods can be used to retrofit existing buildings or can be designed into new ones. They can even be moved to a different location later if necessary. Most importantly, each pod, regardless of layout or size, is designed to be immediately accessible, ensuring occupant safety within seconds.

    Visit www.nationalsafetyshelters.com for more information on how National Safety Shelters safety pods can protect your school or business.

    About National Safety Shelters 

    National Safety Shelters safety pods provide instant protection from violence-related incidents, including armed intruders, and severe weather, including EF5 tornadoes. Their modular design can be formatted to fit any particular need. Please visit http://nationalsafetyshelters.com to learn more about how National Safety Shelters’ safety pods can protect your school.

    Media Contact 

    Dan Johnson 

    dan.johnson@newswire.com 

    Source: National Safety Shelters

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  • National Safety Shelters Encourages Congress to Consider Investment in Safety Pods as Part of Capitol Spending Bill

    National Safety Shelters Encourages Congress to Consider Investment in Safety Pods as Part of Capitol Spending Bill

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    National Safety Shelters offers the capability to provide each member of Congress with instant, near-absolute protection inside their offices from personal safety pods.

    Press Release



    updated: Aug 25, 2021

    National Safety Shelters (NSS), an American manufacturer of customizable safety pods, shelters and safe rooms, has officially announced their candidacy to potentially be appropriated a small fraction of the $2 billion Capitol Security Bill passed by the House and Senate. These funds would be allocated toward the installation of personal safety pods for every member of Congress and all Federal judges. The bill, which was passed on July 29, was created in response to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. 

    According to NPR, of the $2 billion, $250 million is being earmarked for safeguards to the Capitol Complex to ramp up physical security and $157.5 million for addressing security threats to federal judges and court facilities. 

    The National Safety Shelters team attributes both the Capitol riots and the rise in gun violence across the country in 2021 for the rising need for a look into increased and improved security measures for public officials. Threats to members of Congress have doubled in 2021, and several members have suffered emotionally from the traumatic experiences during the attack. A true sense of security and peace of mind is imperative for all members of Congress and Federal Judges.

    The NSS-proposed security measures include the protection of all 535 Members at the Capitol Complex without restricting access to the building, the protection of the 535 Members at District Offices, and the protection of the 890 Federal Judges at their local offices. Near-absolute protection is provided by the installation of small, individual safety pods in each members’ or judges’ offices, with larger shelters possibly installed in other strategic locations.

    The NSS solution tier costs are estimated as follows: 

    Scope – at minimum, protect all 535 Members of Congress and all 890 Federal judges with individual safety pods

    NSS SOLUTION TIERS*

    EST. COST*

    Install Hide-Away Safety Pod in Individual Capitol offices

    $8 to 9 million

    Install Larger Shelters in Common Areas

    $1 to 2 million

    Install Pods in District Offices

    $8 to 9 million

    Install Pods in Judges’ Offices/Courthouses

    $13 to 15 million

    TOTAL EST. COST

    $30 to 35 million

    *Ballpark figures depending on multiple factors. Each tier can be implemented gradually and not all tiers need to be selected together to enhance security. 

    The safety pods offered by National Safety Shelters are a life-saving solution that does not require the restriction of access to key buildings — public or otherwise. The pods are easily assembled on-site, which is necessary in existing buildings to accommodate the differently sized offices in the Capitol Complex and elsewhere. 

    National Safety Shelter’s safety pods are made with quarter-inch, military-grade NIJ Level III ballistic American steel, a feature unique in the industry. Ballistic steel prevents the penetration of handguns, shotguns, and high-powered semi-automatic assault rifles like the AK-47 and AR-15. These safety pods are also built with an outward-swinging door and a bullet-proof window. Many competitors’ doors swing inward, which limits capacity, presents additional challenges for handicapped accessibility, and can be dangerous during a tornado or bomb blast. 

    “Out of the $2.1 billion allocated for Capitol security, $730 million will pay for services already rendered: services like the National Guard and Capitol Police, with no remaining tangible assets to provide future security,” said Dennis Corrado, President of National Safety Shelters. He added, “The safety pod solution, with a modest estimated $30 to$35 million one-time cost, provides a permanent, fail-safe solution with virtually no recurring costs. It amounts to less than 1.5% of the total spending bill, providing safety without restricting physical access to any of the venues protected. It is truly a win-win scenario.”

    Please visit www.nationalsafetyshelters.com for more information.

    About National Safety Shelters

    National Safety Shelters provides state-of-the-art shelters for protection from active shooters, explosive devices (IEDs), tornadoes and earthquakes. 

    Contact Information

    Dan Johnson 
    dan.johnson@newswire.com

    Source: National Safety Shelters

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  • National Safety Shelters Repurposes Safety Pods To Protect Government Officials From Violent Attacks

    National Safety Shelters Repurposes Safety Pods To Protect Government Officials From Violent Attacks

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    Officials and staff can now have instant access to near-absolute protection from armed intruders and bomb threats without restricting building access

    Press Release



    updated: May 25, 2021

    In response to the January 6 attack on the Capitol Building and the alarming Capitol Police report of a “107% increase in threats against Members [of Congress] compared to 2020,” National Safety Shelters is repurposing its line of Hide-Away safety pods and proposing that Congress consider acquiring them to protect Members and their staff from future violent attacks.

    INSTANT NEAR-ABSOLUTE PROTECTION

    The Hide-Away safety pods are bolt-together steel structures that provide instant access to safety from violent attacks and certain natural disasters (tornadoes, earthquakes). Fabricated using military-grade ballistic American steel, they protect against rounds shot from commonly used firearms and semi-automatic weapons like the AK47 and AR15. They also offer protection from the blast and shrapnel of IEDs.

    Originally designed to withstand the forces of EF-5 tornadoes and falling debris from earthquakes, the Hide-Away pods have since been installed in K-12 schools to protect students and staff from active shooters and tornadoes (in tornado prone areas). They are the only safety measure currently available that provides instant access to near-absolute protection.

    Small pods can be placed in personal offices and homes to protect from one to several individuals, whereas larger models can accommodate from dozens to hundreds of occupants, depending on the need. Each can be custom configured to fit into just about any available space.

    With a safety pod in each office, Members and staff can now have an unprecedented level of security that no other safety measure can achieve – instant protection. In addition to their use at the Capitol Complex, Members could also install them in their homes and district offices.

    This economical security safety net would only require a minute fraction of the $1.9 billion spending bill that Congress is currently proposing for security upgrades.

    SECURITY WITHOUT LIMITING BUILDING ACCESS

    Notably, the Hide-Away safety pods and shelters satisfy the recommendations outlined in the Capitol Security Review released on March 5, 2021 by Task Force 1-6  led by retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré. The recommendations seek “to improve the security of the Capitol, Members, and staff” in ways that will not reduce “physical access to the Capitol Complex.”

    Being that the pods would be installed either inside personal offices or at other easily accessible interior locations throughout the Complex, there would be no impact on physical access to either the Capitol Building or other office buildings within the Complex. Should a violent attack occur, casualties could virtually be eliminated.

    In view of the current threat level to Members and the uptick in mass shootings this year (212 as of 5/13), National Safety Shelters is in the process of introducing this innovative security safety net to all 535 Members of Congress, federal security and law enforcement agencies and all 50 state governments.

    For more information please contact Sarah Corrado at 1-772-248-0236 or sarah@nationalsafetyshelters.com.

    Source: National Safety Shelters

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