Shield the Vulnerable – Untold Stories:
Innovating Safety and Saving Lives in Real Time
Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories – Innovating Safety and Saving Lives in Real Time
A conversation about faster response, practical training, and treating mental health as part of safety. Dave interviews Mendee McKeehan from Cady Business Technologies on how to protect people and prepare communities so seconds don’t become tragedies.
When every second matters
Early in the discussion Mendee reminded listeners that many violent incidents end in just a few minutes — often before help is fully coordinated. Their platform, Inform 911, stitches together call location, building maps, camera feeds, and access controls to guide responders straight to the scene. The aim: remove guesswork so first responders arrive with situational awareness and people on site get help faster.
Technology that connects people and places
The technology discussed focuses on integration rather than replacement. By geofencing a property and linking existing cameras and access control systems, the solution can:
- Pinpoint where a 911 call originated on a campus or in a venue.
- Share live maps and camera views with responding agencies via a simple link — no downloads required.
- Allow remote viewing of locked doors and known camera positions so responders can plan entry and protect themselves.
Train the mind as well as the system
Both speakers emphasized that equipment alone doesn’t solve the problem. People must be mentally prepared to act. Linear instructions like “run, hide, fight” miss an important point: real incidents evolve. Staff and students benefit from practicing adaptable responses and simple mental rehearsals so they avoid freezing in a crisis.
Prevention starts with care
Violence often springs from emotional distress, untreated trauma, or mental illness. The conversation highlighted how supporting mental health, spotting behavioral red flags, and offering early help can stop incidents before they start. Safety programs that include mental-health awareness and community support reduce risk and build resilience.
Remove barriers — budgets and legacy systems
Many organizations are weighed down by outdated phone systems or redundant vendors. Audits frequently reveal funds that can be reallocated to modern safety solutions. In addition, grant programs exist that help cover the cost of upgrades so organizations don’t have to stretch limited operating budgets to obtain life-saving technology.
Culture matters
Equipment, training, and mental-health supports only take root in organizations that prioritize people. Clear communication, regular, realistic drills, and leadership that models preparedness create environments where staff and students feel protected — and where trauma can be channeled into stronger systems and community care.
About Mendee McKeehan
Mendee McKeehan is a technology advisor and safety strategist dedicated to improving how organizations prepare for and respond to emergencies.
At Cady Business Technologies, she helps schools, healthcare facilities, and workplaces integrate advanced communications, geofencing, and live-mapping tools that give first responders critical insight the moment a crisis begins.
With a career rooted in telecommunications and a strong commitment to community safety, Mendee bridges innovation and practicality — ensuring technology works seamlessly with existing systems to shorten response times and protect lives. She also advocates for realistic training and mental-health awareness, encouraging leaders to pair prevention and preparedness with rapid-response solutions.
Mendee is recognized for championing approaches that unite people, process, and technology to build safer, more resilient communities.