JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A new device claims it puts a barrier between you and a gunman. However, Action News Jax Paige Kelton learned that local school districts won’t use the device.
The Barracuda is billed as an inexpensive and easy to use way for any teacher or even a student to barricade any door. Action News Jax put it to the test.
A mother was able to put the Barracuda in place, in 18 seconds.
“It’s a good deterrent,” said Action News Jax Crime and Safety Expert Ken Jefferson. “The time I’m spending out here gives the people inside time to get away.”
“I have a high schooler and I would love the idea of knowing that regardless of which class he went to that the device was in the classroom,” said Arleda James, a Jacksonville parent.
But, Action News Jax learned that won’t happen.
The Duval County School District was asked if it would consider using such a device and we’re told “they are simply not allowed within classrooms per fire code.”
The national fire safety codes prohibit any device that will block egress from an exit in a school is prohibited.
Robert Lyons, is CEO of the company that makes the Barracuda Defense System. He said it was designed by a swat team medic.
Lyons said his company has already petitioned the National Fire Protection Agency.
"The fire codes are being re-written now,” Lyons said. “The NFPA is looking into this."
Action News Jax reached out to the NFPA in Washington. It wouldn’t discuss the Barracuda specifically, we’re told it can take months, even years for the fire code to be revised.
“I was stressed even though I knew I wasn’t in danger. I can imagine if you were in danger, you’d want to have a lot of training, so it was easier,” said James.
Many believed the device would be a good option to have in schools.
The retail price for the Barracuda is about $150.
The Barracuda is being used by companies in Central America, Europe and Isreal. The United States Marine Corps also placed an order.
A statement was released from Duval Schools Police Chief Micheal Edwards:
"The safety of our students is paramount, and our emergency planning procedures must consider all possible scenarios. From school evacuations due to fire and smoke to a building lockdown in response to an imminent campus threat, fire officials and law enforcement must have proper access to secured rooms. For a lockdown scenario, students and staff must be in rooms with door locks that meet federal and state building, fire, and safety codes. While we are always looking for ways to strengthen our security measures in schools, it's unfortunate that this type of device cannot be implemented in our schools as it does not meet fire code."<br/>
Cox Media Group
