The LISD Police and Maintenance and Transportation Departments are now connected to FirstNet® through AT&T, a technological platform for all the buses. They ahve also designed a new blue bus that can be used for tra
nsportation to events.
“[Because of the phones] I can call every bus within seconds,” Angel Ragland, transportation secretary said. “They can message me immediately if there is an emergency or any kind of situation.”
FirstNet is a communications platform from AT&T in public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority). It will be used for the safety of all students in the district.
Every police officer and the auxiliary departments on every campus with the technology. This is to streamline communication in the event of a crisis.
“Sometimes a student will get on the bus and are meant to be a car rider,” transportation director Pete Ridge said. “That is where the phones come into play. We just try to make sure that we know where they are.”
Because the the bud barn transports about 2,000 students two times a day and covers 185 square miles, the GPS function will provide assistance when locating a student. This function will also help first responders if such a situation ever occurs.
“FirstNet is the exclusive communications platform being built with AT&T for public safety, inspired by public safety. There is no substitution for this dedicated network,” said Jeff
Bratcher, Chief Technology and Operations Officer, FirstNet Authority. “We look forward to supporting Lindale Independent School District and all of Texas’ public safety community with FirstNet, making sure it delivers what they need, when they need it.”
Another thing that has been added recently is a new bus used to advertise the school district. The bus is blue rather than yellow and will soon incorporate a grey stripe and an eagle into its design.
“I am very proud of the blue bus,” Ridge said. “We are going to use it in all aspects from the Ag department, the band and sports teams.”
The blue bus arrived Thursday with its complete design. The first planned trip the bus is going to take good behavior students from third grade.
“I think it is tremendous that the school board approved us getting it, ” Ridge said. “We really appreciate that.”
