DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — New software and a mobile app will let Des Moines teachers respond immediately to emergencies, alert other staffers and lock down doors. The Des Moines Register reports that the $9,000 Alertus software notifies the district’s public safety office and other staff on campus about an emergency. The software also handles severe weather alerts.

Pam Rosa is the safety specialist for Des Moines Public Schools. She says calling 911 is still the preferred way to seek help, but the new software is an added layer of security. The move comes after Iowa passed a law this spring requiring schools to create emergency plans on responding to threats, such as a shooter or a tornado. The bill passed in the wake of a school shooting that left 17 dead in Parkland, Florida.