The Murphy administration Tuesday announced $6.5 million in federal funding for a statewide initiative to digitize school building blueprints to help first responders during emergency situations — in particular in the case of an active shooter, such as in the mass shooting at the Uvalde, Texas elementary school three months ago.
Collaborative response graphics, or CRGs, were first developed by the U.S. military. New Jersey has been using the software since 2019 and has already created digital maps for about 3,100 school buildings in the state. American Rescue Plan funds will finish the rest — about 1,500 more buildings to be ready for the next school year. The electronic blueprints will include interior and exterior layouts, and key access points.
The state will also mandate annual walk-throughs of buildings to ensure maps stay up-to-date and will require clear labels for external doors, hallways, rooms and other spaces in every school building.
