A system and method for responding to a triggering event occurring on a premises includes accessing a vault compartment of a vault located on the premises to retrieve a responder tool kit including a ballistic vest, a portable communication device, and a defense device for use in responding to the triggering event. A controller located in the vault compartment is in communication with a monitoring station located off the premises and a biometric authentication device located external to the vault including a bioscanner such as an iris scanner for collecting biodata to authenticate a person external to the vault as a qualified rapid responder. The controller at the time of authenticating the qualified and authorized rapid responder outputs an alarm signal to the monitoring station, alerting the monitoring station to contact emergency services, and unlocks the vault to provide access to the responder tool kit located in the cage assembly.