Robin Mackintosh
Reporting

(CBS 3) SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. During a news conference Wednesday, officials in Montgomery County unveiled a new system designed to alert authorities in the event of an emergency at area schools.

The high-tech system, known as a 'panic button', would be used in emergency situations that require an immediate response.

"It's unfortunate that we have to have this kind of system in our schools, but it's the sign of the times I suppose," said Thomas Ellis, County Commissioner.

A roomful of police and first responders were in attendance as officials demonstrated the system they hope to install in every public private and parochial school in Montgomery County.

The system is called 'The Class System' and is tied into the counties 911 center.

"It does, in a critical moment, instantly over the network dispatch will be able to respond with the appropriate personnel to the correct location as fast as humanly possible," said Tim Lee, Micro Technology Services.

Springfield Township's school superintendent described the need for the panic button after an incident last December when a student brought a rifle to the high school and committed suicide.

"One more layer of security and one more opportunity for access to our law enforcement is one more reason to feel more secure," said Rosann Nyiri, School Superintendent.

The system will provide more intelligence to first arriving officers in their patrol cars.

"Pulling up cameras to see where suspects would be and the floor plans to see where he might be, whose going where," said Chief Randall Hummel, Springfield Township Police.

The first panic button systems are expected to be tested in 20 schools by spring. Officials hope by the start of the new school year next fall, more than 600 schools will be online and on guard with just the push of a button.