FONTANA, CA – Fontana Unified School District (FUSD), in partnership with San Bernardino County District 2 Supervisor Jesse Armendarez, announced a $418,000 investment that will fund the expansion of CENTEGIX CrisisAlert, a cutting-edge emergency alert platform designed to improve response times and enhance safety for students and staff across all FUSD schools.

The funding will expand CENTEGIX CrisisAlert to FUSD campuses following a successful pilot program conducted over the past year at four District schools. The pilot demonstrated how the technology can provide faster, more precise communication during emergencies and daily incidents, strengthening coordination amongst school staff, school police, and first responders.

CENTEGIX CrisisAlert is a wearable, IoT-enabled panic button system that enables staff to immediately trigger alerts during emergencies or critical situations. The system delivers precise, real-time location data to first responders, integrates with existing security infrastructure, and operates across an entire school site area without relying on Wi-Fi or cellular networks, providing reliable and consistent support. This technology aims to enhance response times for Fontana School Police Department and first responder partners when a crisis arises.

“Student and staff safety remains our highest priority,” FUSD Superintendent Miki R. Inbody said. “This investment allows us to proactively strengthen safety practices across our entire District and aligns directly with our Board of Education’s goal of maintaining a persistent focus on the safety and well-being of our students and staff. We are grateful for the leadership and partnership from San Bernardino County and County Supervisor Jesse Armendarez in helping us bring this critical resource to every school.”

FUSD is one of the largest districts in the region, serving students across 44 schools and spanning more than 50 square miles. Providing dependable safety systems across a significant geographic area is essential to ensure equitable protection and rapid response for all school communities.

“The safety of our students, educators, and school communities will always come first,” Armendarez said. “I’m proud that Fontana Unified is becoming the first school district in San Bernardino County to implement this technology districtwide. This investment ensures our schools have the tools they need to respond quickly and effectively when every second matters, and it reflects our commitment to strengthening public safety across our communities.”

The expansion of CENTEGIX CrisisAlert also positions FUSD as a leader in aligning with Alyssa’s Law, legislation requiring public schools to install silent panic alarms directly connected to law enforcement to reduce emergency response times. While Alyssa’s Law has not yet been adopted in California, it is under consideration and has been enacted in several states, including New Jersey, Florida, New York, and Texas.

Named in honor of Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old victim of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy, Alyssa’s Law was created by the nonprofit organization Make Our Schools Safe, founded by Alyssa’s parents. The law emphasizes immediate, silent notification to first responders through modern panic alert technologies, such as wearable devices like CENTEGIX, to minimize delays during critical incidents.

“This partnership between our County and Fontana Unified shows what’s possible when leaders come together with a shared commitment to protect our students,” FUSD Board of Education President Angel Ramirez said. “As a District, we are constantly looking for ways to strengthen safety, expand opportunities, and ensure every student has the support they need to succeed. Investments like this move us closer to that goal and reinforce our promise to put students first.”

With this investment, FUSD continues to set a high standard in school safety innovations while reinforcing its commitment to protecting students and staff through proactive planning, technology, and community partnerships.

PHOTO CAPTION:

FUSD_ CENTEGIX1: Fontana Unified School District (FUSD), in partnership with San Bernardino County District 2 Supervisor Jesse Armendarez (front row, second from right), announced a $418,000 investment that will fund the expansion of CENTEGIX CrisisAlert, a cutting-edge emergency alert platform designed to improve response times and enhance safety for students and staff across all FUSD schools.