Critical Response Group

Critical Response Group brings together military experience, technical expertise, and a collaborative partner-driven approach to deliver the most accurate and accessible emergency response maps to public safety professionals across the nation. Watch our company overview to learn more about our mission. America's Common Operating Picture? www.crgplans.com #indoormapping #firstresponders #criticalincidentmapping #emergencyresponse

Last week, our team was on the ground in Crossville, TN, leading a tabletop exercise alongside the Crossville Police Dept, Cumberland County Sheriff's Department, Cumberland County Schools, and Putnam County (TN) Sheriff's Department. These exercises are more than just drills—they are opportunities for public safety leaders and school district officials to strengthen communication, refine response strategies, and put emergency maps into action in real-time scenarios. Modeled after the pre-mission rehearsals of U.S. Special Operations Forces, our tabletop exercises ensure that all stakeholders walk through their roles, identify gaps, and enhance coordination during an active threat event. At CRG, we're not just a mapping content provider—we're committed to real-world implementation that solves communication challenges during critical incidents. Thank you to our partners in Crossville and Cumberland County for their dedication to preparedness. We look forward to continuing these essential training sessions nationwide, ensuring first responders and school officials are ready when every second counts. America's Common Operating Picture? www.crgplans.com #SituationalAwareness #EmergencyResponse #PublicSafety

In my community, a single 911 center supports ~245 schools (161,000 students). On top of being stretched thin, each time 911 answers the call from one of these schools, they also have to deal with ‘The Safety Gap.’ Example: Our local high school is the size of 2 Walmart stores, with ~2K students. So when 911 receives a call from that school reporting that 'a teacher is having a heart attack in the teacher’s lounge’, one of the first questions the 911 telecommunicator will ask is: ‘Where inside the school is the teacher’s lounge?’ Today, despite all the modern technological capabilities, having data on ~250 million annual US emergencies, and companies spending ~$200B annually on safety technology… This question is generally answered verbally, over the phone by a panicked caller, which 911 then manually types into a system that dispatches resources. This is what we call 'The Safety Gap.' --- Michael Rodgers, CEO of Critical Response Group and a recent guest on our RapidSOS 'The Safety Gap' podcast, gave us a perfect example of what The Safety Gap looks like in practice. When a school emergency is reported, the time it takes to respond depends heavily on understanding the building's layout. In reality, 911 will usually have to operate with just the minimal information they receive over the phone. A lot of the time, they won’t even have access to floor plans. Even when they do have access to floor plans (usually on a CD or rolled up in a binder or an architectural tube), they’ll be faced with these 3 issues: 1. The first issue: different cardinal directions Floor plans are designed using what's called project or plan North, which shows the four main compass directions: north, south, east, and west. However, almost every school is rotated in a different direction because the cardinal direction is actually identified arbitrarily by the architect who designs the building. 2. The second issue: inaccurate floor plans Mike says that, across the country, they have yet to see a single accurate floor plan for any K12 school. 3. The third issue: different nomenclature Most of the time, the person calling 911 will give instructions using a different language than the one used on the floor plans. For example, a teacher will report another teacher having a heart attack ‘in the teacher's lounge,’ but the floor map will use a different vernacular label for that room. In emergencies where seconds mean the difference between life and death, emergency responders must rely on themselves to ‘figure it out’ once they reach the building. ----- This is just ONE problem emergency responders face: indoor mapping. Once we understand that the?problem has dozens of similar dimensions, we can start to understand how big the Safety Gap is and that we have to do something about it. If you want to learn more about The Safety Gap, check our podcast in the comments, and let's start bridging said gap.

Critical Response Group (CRG) is excited to announce our partnership with DoorCheck, an innovative app designed to streamline door security in K-12 schools. Door security is a fundamental part of keeping schools safe, but ensuring every door is properly checked and secured is an ongoing challenge. DoorCheck simplifies this process by providing real-time visibility into the status of every door at a glance—whether at a single school or district-wide. Instant notifications alert administrators when a check fails, ensuring issues can be addressed immediately. Now, with the integration of CRG's Collaborative Response Graphics? (CRGs?) into DoorCheck's web and mobile applications, users can quickly and easily identify door locations within their mapped environment. This added layer of visual context enhances situational awareness, helping schools stay informed, proactive, and in control of their security measures. We're proud to collaborate with DoorCheck in providing smarter, more effective solutions for school safety. Read more about Doorcheck here: https://doorcheck.app/ #schoolsafety #indoormapping #firstresponders #criticalincidentmapping #emergencyresponse

Critical Response Group is transforming the way first responders prepare for and respond to emergencies. In a recent interview with Asbury Park Press, our CEO, Mike Rodgers, explains how we've mapped every school in New Jersey—and why our mission is expanding far beyond state lines. America's Common Operating Picture? www.crgplans.com Read the full story:

Critical Response Group, Concentus, and ZeroEyes are hosting a virtual Lunch & Learn on March 5th at 11AM EST, focusing on enhancing situational awareness and emergency response in critical incidents. Join us as we discuss how accurate and accessible emergency response maps can provide first responders and security teams with the guidance needed to act quickly and efficiently in unfamiliar buildings. ZeroEyes will highlight how its AI-powered weapons detection technology integrates with existing security systems to help identify threats before they escalate, and Concentus will share insights on strengthening security programs to improve preparedness and response. Register now to gain valuable insights on improving physical security and emergency response strategies. Register Here: https://lnkd.in/eNVcumbA #indoormapping #firstresponders #criticalincidentmapping #emergencyresponse #schoolsafety

Critical Response Group (CRG) is pleased to announce a partnership with ELi Technology Inc. to further advance situational awareness for emergency response teams. ELi's ATLS Location Services provides real-time, dispatchable indoor location data, pinpointing individuals within a 9-foot accuracy range - including floor and room details. ATLS's advanced location tracking and CRG's Collaborative Response Graphics? (CRGs?) complement each other within supported platforms, offering responders a more complete picture of the incident landscape. By combining precise location data with CRG's accurate and detailed critical incident maps, safety teams can improve both daily operations and emergency response. Together, CRG and ELi Technology remain committed to equipping first responders with the tools they need to navigate emergencies with confidence and precision. America's Common Operating Picture? www.crgplans.com #indoormapping #firstresponders #criticalincidentmapping #emergencyresponse #schoolsafety

Critical Response Group, Concentus, and ZeroEyes are hosting a virtual Lunch & Learn on March 5th at 11AM EST, focusing on enhancing situational awareness and emergency response in critical incidents. Join us as we discuss how accurate and accessible emergency response maps can provide first responders and security teams with the guidance needed to act quickly and efficiently in unfamiliar buildings. ZeroEyes will highlight how its AI-powered weapons detection technology integrates with existing security systems to help identify threats before they escalate, and Concentus will share insights on strengthening security programs to improve preparedness and response. Register now to gain valuable insights on improving physical security and emergency response strategies. Register Here: https://lnkd.in/eNVcumbA #indoormapping #firstresponders #criticalincidentmapping #emergencyresponse #schoolsafety

Last week, Critical Response Group participated in a full-scale security exercise at the Orange County Convention Center alongside the Orange County Sheriff's Office, Orlando, Florida, Orange County Fire Rescue, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and multiple other agencies. The exercise focused on an active shooter scenario, reinforcing the importance of cross-agency coordination and preparedness. These training events are essential to ensuring a unified and effective response. Our Collaborative Response Graphics? played a key role in supporting coordination and response efforts. Integrated within #TAK and used alongside ELi Technology Inc. ATLS services, our CRGs provided real-time situational awareness and location data of over 30 officers as they navigated the building. Having access to accurate, geo-referenced visual data in high-stress scenarios is critical for improving response times and decision-making. We appreciate the opportunity to support this training and continue working alongside our public safety partners to enhance emergency preparedness. America's Common Operating Picture? www.crgplans.com #indoormapping #firstresponders #criticalincidentmapping #emergencyresponse

In 2025, new funding opportunities are available to help schools strengthen safety measures and improve emergency response. On February 18, 2025, at 2:00 PM EST, join Critical Response Group and CrisisGo for a free webinar designed to help school leaders access funding and implement effective safety solutions. We will be covering: ? How to access funding through COPS grants, Alyssa's Law, and other programs. ? Why critical incident mapping is essential for emergency preparedness. ? How CrisisGo's emergency management tools can make your school safer. ? Step-by-step guidance to help your school win grants. Speakers: ? Austin Sprague – COO, Critical Response Group ? Kelly Moore – Senior School Safety Specialist, CrisisGo ? Moderator: Ethan Woodman – Product Marketing Specialist, CrisisGo Register now to take the first step toward securing critical funding for your school. https://lnkd.in/gMtJiyg3