Rave Mobile Safety News

Smart911, Enhanced Services

Sat, 19 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Imagine dialing 9-1-1 but not being able to speak. For many of my deaf friends, this is a reality. If they were to dial 9-1-1, they would be unable to inform the operator the details of their emergency or more about themselves.

In Illinois, all 9-1-1 centers maintain collected information about people with disabilities under the Illinois Premise Alert Program, but a new program aims to take 9-1-1 a step further. Smart911 is a program that supplies 9-1-1 operators with detailed personal information, including names of family members, photos, allergies, pets and more. A person who is deaf would be able to include information that would help 9-1-1 centers to understand more about their disability and communication needs.

“Information can more easily be shared across municipalities or even across states,” said Todd Miller, Vice President of Public Safety Services at Rave Mobile Safety, the company which provides the service. “Today, the PAP program maintains data locally at a 9-1-1 center, which isn’t helpful if you’re even just one town over and in need of assistance.” The PAP program does not allow for photos, whereas Smart911 allows the user to upload photos of family members, pets and home layouts.

Currently Smart911 is available in 22 states. In Illinois, DuPage county is the first Illinois county to implement this enhanced service. There is currently a bill in Illinois (SB 555) which would highlight Smart911 as an improvement to the Premise Alert Program and make it easier for individual municipalities to bring it to their community. The bill goes up for a vote on May 21, 2012.

“A Smart911 Safety Profile can be tied to any phone number,” Todd explained. “For example, I have registered my mobile number, my wife’s mobile number, and our landline so if any of those numbers dial 9-1-1, we can be better helped. Often times without Smart911, 9-1-1 centers will tie information to a Premise (hence the name Premise Alert Program) which means information may only be made available if I dial 9-1-1 from my home landline. Nationwide about 70% of calls come from mobile phones these days and upwards of 30% of citizens don’t have a landline.”

In an email, Todd explained more about Smart911 in greater detail:

“It is important that citizens understand that when they dial 9-1-1 today, very little is known about them. Without Smart911, 9-1-1 centers only get a phone number and some form of a location. From a landline, a specific address is provided. From a mobile phone, it’s more of a general location which means it may be difficult to locate the caller. For example, if I needed to dial 9-1-1 from my house, I would likely do so with the mobile phone I always have in my pocket. The location provided to 9-1-1 would likely tell them the call is somewhere in my neighborhood which is not specific enough to quickly address my emergency. With my Smart911 Safety Profile automatically provided, 9-1-1 would not only know my home address, but they could also receive a photo of my house, number of occupants, locations of entry/exit points, and any special medical or rescues needs for my entire family. This type of information is generally not known until first responders arrive, which means they may not have the right personnel or equipment,”

Registering a Smart911 is free, private and secure. The information can be updated at any time by the user. The program is funded via surcharges from landlines and cell phones. For more information or to register a profile, visit www.smart911.com. A video outlining more details about Smart911 can be found at: www.smart911.com/movie. The video is captioned.

3rd Annual Smart911 Summit Brings Together Charter Customers and Public Safety Professionals from APCO and NENA

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Leaders from Across the U.S. Share Innovation and Ideas to Help Shape Future of Emergency Response at Rave Mobile Safety’s Annual Session

Rave Mobile Safety, the trusted software partner of campus and public safety, today announced that May 2-4 it hosted a highly successful Smart911 Annual Summit with professionals from The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International, National Emergency Number Association (NENA), and its Charter 50 member-customers that are leading the transformation of 9-1-1 response with innovative technology in their respective states. Each year, Rave Mobile Safety brings together industry leaders to explore the current challenges and opportunities facing Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) on both the national and state levels, discuss emergency response best-practices, and evaluate new product concepts.

“Smart911 is on the leading edge of providing life-saving data to emergency call takers and first responders across the country with 9-1-1 calls,” said Tom Axbey, president and CEO, Rave Mobile Safety. “As our customers continue to gain operational experience with the type of data that will be even more prevalent in NG9-1-1, it is critical we listen carefully to their experiences and best practices and integrate that feedback into our solutions. This Summit was particularly helpful, as we explored topics that are top-of-mind for public safety communications professionals as they look for ways to better serve citizens.”

Charter 50 Program members are selected for their dedication towards improving the emergency response landscape. The members were first to implement Smart911 within their state and have served as an example and resource for counties and cities across the US. One PSAP from each state is selected to bring forth regulations and trends impacting their region, provide feedback on the Smart911 roadmap and identify best practices in emergency response.

“It’s an honor to be a member of the Charter 50 Program and I’m happy to engage with a public safety partner that places such value on customer feedback,” said John Jokantas, Director of Communications, Porter County (IN) 9-1-1. “Smart911 has had a great impact on the level of service we are able to provide our citizens and I’m excited to work with their team and provide input that will help shape the future direction of the product.”

“This is the third year of our engagement with Rave and Smart911 and it has been a valuable partnership,” said Rick Jones, operations issues director at NENA. “Rave has been a leader in integrating feedback from the 9-1-1 community into their solutions and sharing information with industry associations. We strongly encourage companies to work with NENA and APCO in the development of products and operational guidelines in order to allow emergency services to be as effective as possible.”

APCO International and NENA are dedicated to improving public safety by working with technology providers like Rave Mobile Safety to improve emergency response. APCO International is the world’s largest organization of public safety communications professionals. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide — and the welfare of the general public as a whole — by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach. NENA’s Mission is to foster the technological advancement, availability and implementation of a universal emergency telephone number system (9-1-1) and promote research, planning, training and education. The protection of human life, the preservation of property, and the maintenance of general community security are among NENA’s objectives.

Smart911 enables public safety telecommunicators to improve emergency responses by providing them with vital, life saving citizen information. With Smart911, citizens enter personal information online, which is then automatically available to a 9-1-1 call taker. The additional data provided is far more extensive than what is typically available to a 9-1-1 telecommunicator, and can include information about health, disabilities, family members or pets, and a home address affiliated with a cell phone number. The information provided by Smart911, combined with skilled public safety professionals, has proven to dramatically improve outcomes of emergency incidents.

About Rave Mobile Safety
Rave Mobile Safety is the most trusted software partner for campus and public safety. Used by leading Institutes of Higher Education and State and Local Agencies, the award-winning portfolio of RaveAlert, RaveGuardian, Eyewitness, Smart911 and SmartPrepare enables millions to feel safe, secure and connected. Rave Mobile Safety is headquartered in Framingham, MA. For more information please visit www.ravemobilesafety.com

Smart911 Marks National Pet Week by Encouraging Use of Safety Profiles to Protect People, Pets and Emergency Responders

Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

With National Pet Week underway, Rave Mobile Safety, the trusted software partner for campus and public safety, is encouraging the use of Smart911 to protect people and pets, as well as public safety personnel responding to 9-1-1 calls. Rave’s Smart911 is a public/private partnership creating a first-of-its-kind, critical caller database that is already helping citizens and emergency responders across 23 states.

Currently, when 9-1-1 receives a call, only a phone number and some level of location data are displayed. With Smart911, citizens create safety profiles online holding personal data that is automatically displayed to 9-1-1 only during emergency calls. This can include resident photos, floor-plans, specifics on medical conditions and disabilities, home addresses of cellphone callers and other rescue-related data. It can also include information on pets. This enables emergency responders to be more effective because they have access to a rich source of critical health and logistics information before arriving at the scene of an emergency. Knowing that a pet is on premise during an emergency allows a much better chance of avoiding tragedy for all involved.

According to the 2011-2012 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association, 63 percent of all U.S. households have a pet, the highest level in two decades. The survey also showed there are 78.2 million dog and 86.4 million cat owners, with more than half stating they would leap into action for an injured pet.

Through Smart911, when police officers or EMTs arrive on the scene of an emergency they know if a dog is on premise and can take steps to see that the victim gets immediate attention without harm coming to a protective pet. Additionally, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), there are an estimated 2,560 civilian fire fatalities each year, deaths that generally occur when an individual is escaping, sleeping or is unable to act. With Smart911, firefighters know where bedrooms are located, who lives at a property, their names and such things as the location of a gas main. This is the type of information that can save the lives of people and the animals they love, and authorities generally agree that at least 40,000 pets die yearly from smoke inhalation.

“When emergency responders arrive at a residence with information on what awaits, their effectiveness increases dramatically,” said Tom Axbey, president and CEO, Rave Mobile Safety. “Pets can be very protective and simply knowing an animal’s name can alleviate a potentially stressful situation. Smart911 is a great way for owners to protect themselves and all family members, including pets, while facilitating the work of public safety personnel that are there to help during emergency situations.”

About Rave Mobile Safety

Rave Mobile Safety is the most trusted software partner for campus and public safety. Used by leading Institutes of Higher Education and State and Local Agencies, the award-winning portfolio of RaveAlert, RaveGuardian, Eyewitness, Smart911 and SmartPrepare enables millions to feel safe, secure and connected. Rave Mobile Safety is headquartered in Framingham, MA. For more information please visit www.ravemobilesafety.com

Milton residents eligible for Smart911 service

Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Milton residents can now use the Smart911 notification system to increase the information available for first responders in an emergency situation.

The information is confidential and provides police, firefighters and EMTs customized information, including photos, medical conditions, pets and other valuable data. To sign up, residents can visit www.smart911.com and choose “Create Your Safety Profile.”

The system, paid for with existing 911 fees, sends reminders to all users every six months, requiring them to verify all profile information.

Milton residents may use Smart911

Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Milton residents may now use the Smart911 notification system to enhance the information available for first responders in an emergency situation.

To sign up, visit www.smart911.com and choose “Create Your Safety Profile.” You will be asked a series of questions that provide fast, reliable information to police, firefighters and EMTs in an emergency.

“The amount of detail offered to a 911 dispatch center through this free program is simply invaluable,” said Milton Police Chief Deborah Harrell. “You can provide photos of yourself, your family and your home, where utilities are located, the physical condition and health level of family members, the medications they take, even pet information, including whether it is a service animal.”

According to Smart911, about 70 percent of 911 calls come from mobile phones. Often, this can spell trouble in an emergency, because it can be difficult to ascertain the phone’s exact location. With the service, dispatchers receive work and home addresses, plus a GPS location of the caller.

And the system is nationwide, so anytime you make a 911 call from the number registered, the information is available provided the agency which receives the call utilizes Smart911, said Harrell.

When you make an emergency call with a phone number included in your profile, all information entered will be available for dispatchers. Smart911 ensures profile information is kept up-to-date by sending reminders to all users every six months, requiring them to verify all profile information.

Smart911 is paid for by a portion of existing 911 fees. For more information on this program, including which communities use the service, visit www.smart911.com.

Decatur Residents Can Now Participate in “Smart911″

Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The City of Decatur website announces the arrival of Smart911, a service now being offered by the city, which “allows residents to create a safety profile of vital personal and household data, including household members, photos, medications or medical conditions and even pets, which will be displayed to 911 call takers immediately when a resident places an emergency call.”

This safety profile provides more extensive information than is currently available on incoming calls and can contain the specific details that first responders can use to save lives.

Decatur Fire Chief Toni Dixon notes that Smart911 enhances communication with residents and also assists in locating them. “Knowing who is living in the house, the medications they may be on, and even pets that may be in the residence allows us to respond to emergencies much more effectively,” she says. “In times of duress it can be difficult for a resident to provide us with all the information we could use. Now, if they have a Smart911 profile, that information will be available immediately.”

Smart911 is a free service available to all residents and business owners and is private and secure. Safety profiles can be created through the Smart911 website, www.Smart911.com. The service has the added benefit of being a National Safety Database, giving residents the ability to have their information travel with them. While they may create their profile in their hometown, if they dial 911 anywhere in the country where the Smart911 service is active, their profile will be available to 911 call takers. Smart911 has been rapidly adopted over the last year and is now being used in more than 20 states, protecting more than five million citizens.

For more information about Smart911 email toni.dixon@decaturga.com or call 404-373-5092.

Smart911 Named a Silver Edison Award Winner for Personal Safety/Security Innovation

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:01:43 -0400

Prestigious Honor Recognizes Additional Caller Information Database for Helping Citizens and Responders in Emergency Situations

Rave Mobile Safety, the trusted software partner for campus and public safety, has announced that Smart911 was voted a winner in the 2012 Edison Best New Products Awards(TM) competition, receiving Silver for Personal Safety/Security in the Innovative Services category. Rave Mobile Safety’s Smart911 is a public/private partnership creating a first-of-its-kind critical caller database that is already helping citizens and emergency responders across 23 states. At a sold-out event held April 26 at the Capitale ballroom in New York, Rave’s Chief Executive Officer, Tom Axbey, joined hundreds of top level executives from some of the world’s most recognized companies to hear winners announced and celebrate 25 years of the Edison Awards honoring innovators and innovations.

“As the pace of innovation quickens and the ‘race to next’ becomes ever more competitive, it’s increasingly important to take a moment out of our hectic lives to recognize excellence in innovation and greatness in the teams of innovators who make our future. We are honored to present Rave Mobile Safety with an Edison Award as one of the leading innovators of today and tomorrow in a particularly critical area, public safety,” says Thomas Stat, 2012 Edison Awards Steering Committee Chairman.

Currently, when 9-1-1 receives a call, only a phone number and some level of location data are displayed. Smart911 is a national system that provides citizens with the ability to create safety profiles online holding personal data that is automatically displayed to 9-1-1 only during emergency calls. Information can include children’s photos, medical conditions, disabilities, home addresses of cellphone callers, or other rescue-related information. This enables emergency responders to be more effective because they have access to a rich source of critical health and logistics information before arriving at the scene of an emergency. Smart911 also supports the critical need to effectively capture and manage data for special needs citizens.

“Every day, 9-1-1 call-takers across the country answer life-impacting calls and emergency responders enter very stressful situations to help citizens,” said Tom Axbey, CEO of Rave Mobile Safety. “Our goal through this public-private partnership is to provide these professionals with critical information that can increase their effectiveness, enabling them to save valuable time and lives. The Edison Awards are acclaimed for identifying innovation and we are gratified that the importance of Smart911 for protecting citizens is being highlighted.”

Since 1987, the Edison Awards have recognized ideas at the forefront of new products, services, marketing, design and innovation. Being recognized with an Edison Award has become one of the highest accolades a company can receive in the name of innovation and business. The awards are named after Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) whose inventions, new product development methods and innovative achievements, literally changed the world, garnered him 1,093 U.S. patents and made him a household name around the world.

Nominees for the Edison Best New Product Awards were judged by a panel of more than 3,000 individuals, including members of the Marketing Executives Networking Group, an organization comprising America’s top marketing professionals and academics. Judges also included professionals from the fields of product development & design, engineering, science and education. This year, in a comprehensive, peer-review process, nominees were judged on a new set of evaluation criteria developed in partnership with Nielsen. These new criteria establish a new definition of innovation, leveraging the primary assessment themes of Concept, Value, Impact and Delivery.

About Rave Mobile Safety

About the Edison Awards

The 2012 Edison Awards are sponsored by Nielsen, Discovery Communications, SCIENCE, USA TODAY, CSRware, applepeak and ViridiSTOR. For more information about the Edison Awards and a full list of winners, visit www.edisonawards.com.

Dispatcher recognized for heroic efforts

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Jeffrey Harter, a dispatcher with the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, recently received a national award for helping save the life of a choking victim.

Harter, a Sherburne resident, was named the national winner of the Smart Telecommunicator Award for taking a frantic 9-1-1 call in June 2011 from a mother who reported that her 17-year-old disabled daughter was choking and unable to breath. Drawing off emergency medical dispatch training, Harter’s professionalism, compassion and reassurance kept the caller calm during the desperate situation, enabling him to provide instructions that saved the victim’s life.

“Dispatcher Jeff Harter’s work exhibits the dedication of this agency to the public we serve,” said Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting, Jr., during a ceremony honoring Harter, held on April 9 at the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office in Norwich. “His professional response during this incident saved Lauren LaMariana. I commend him for his attention to detail during this critical incident and compassion for the life of another.”

“I was in a panic when I realized Lauren was choking,” said Gwen Hornbeck during the ceremony. “Jeff calmed me down and I know his instructions helped us to save her life. I can’t thank him enough for what he did for my daughter.”

The Smart Telecommunicator Awards are conducted by Rave Mobile Safety’s Smart911 in partnership with the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies (iCERT).

In addition to the award, Smart911 presented a donation of $1,000 in Harter’s name to the American Cancer Society, a charity chosen by him and the family.

Last month, 9-1-1 call-takers and dispatchers (telecommunicators) from across the U.S. were nominated by peers to receive recognition for leadership, performance and overall contributions to their Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). The general public reviewed 20 finalists online and thousands voted to determine a national winner, named to draw attention to National Telecommunicators Week (April 8-14) and the services provided by these professionals.

Smart911 Honors 9-1-1 Education Month with Kickoff of "Understanding the Citizens We Serve" Webinar Series

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

First Installment to Help Safety Personnel and Educate General Public on How to Assist People with Autism in Emergency Situations

In honor of 9-1-1 Education Month, Smart911 is kicking off a new webinar series titled “Understanding the Citizens We Serve.” The first edition, “Understanding and Responding to Citizens with Autism,” takes place on April 26 to mark National Autism Awareness Month. While open to all, the webinar will focus on how 9-1-1 telecommunicators and public safety personnel can most-effectively interact with and assist people with autism. A service of Rave Mobile Safety, the trusted software partner for campus and public safety, Smart911 is a public/private partnership creating a first-of-its-kind, critical caller database that is already helping citizens and emergency responders across 20 states.

“Understanding and Responding to Citizens with Autism” will feature Dennis Debbaudt of Autism Risk & Safety Management, a website offering training and resources for law enforcement, emergency first responders, parents, educators, care providers and the autism community. A law enforcement trainer and author on the subject, Debbaudt is also the proud father of a young man with autism. While the public is invited to attend, the webinar’s content is aimed at providing police, fire, emergency medical services and 9-1-1 telecommunicators with techniques for diagnosing and responding to emergencies that involve people with autism.

There is no cost to attend “Understanding and Responding to Citizens with Autism” and those interested should register online. The webinar is supported by Autism Speaks and the Autism Safety Project. Smart911’s website is also now hosting blogs contributed by Autism Speaks chapter members throughout the U.S. in order to draw further attention to issues that people with autism and their families face

Smart911 is a national system that is entirely private and secure. Citizens can create safety profiles for free at www.Smart911.com, entering vital data they want made available on themselves and family members, a residence, even pets. This can include details on medical conditions, disabilities and/or special needs, children’s photos, home addresses of cellphone callers, floor plans and other pertinent information. Smart911 delivers this information automatically to telecommunicators, enabling responders to be more effective because they have access to critical health and logistics information before arriving at the scene of an emergency. Smart911 supports the critical need to effectively capture and manage data for special needs citizens.

“While Smart911 safety profiles enhance the delivery of emergency services for everyone, it has proven very effective in helping individuals with special needs and their families,” said Tom Axbey, president and CEO, Rave Mobile Safety. “This has brought us into close contact with the autism community, and as a result, this webinar will offer very valuable information to those involved in public safety. At the same, the general public shouldn’t hesitate to participate; the specific details and overall educational value will be useful for everyone.”

About Rave Mobile Safety

Smart911 Honors 9-1-1 Education Month with Kickoff of "Understanding the Citizens We Serve" Webinar Series

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

9-1-1 The Smart Way

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Saving lives is all about getting information. When someone calls 9-1-1, the only information a dispatcher gets is a phone number and an address. The dispatcher has to ask a lot of questions to get additional critical information. What if that information came up on a screen as the call came in? That would save time - and if you can save time you can save lives. The smart way to do 911 is to have important information attached to the caller. This is what Smart911 from Rave Mobile Safety can do for you.

Solution Overview

The Smart911 solution starts with residents adding their Safety Profile on a secure and private data repository. They register their phone number (for free) and supply potentially life-saving information they want to make available to 9-1-1 in case of an emergency. When the user calls 9-1-1 from a registered phone number, the data automatically displays on the 9-1-1 call takers work station. This helps them respond more quickly and effectively.

Smart911 Overview

The 9-1-1 dispatcher can forward the information to fire, police, or other responding units so they can be better prepared and render assistance more effectively – they get better situational awareness.

The details on each individual include rescue and medical information. Users can also include information about their house, and any other features that might be important for firefighters or police officers. Users can also include information about pets (aka guard dogs), emergency contacts, and more.

For Example

1. Users can let responders know if someone is confined to a wheelchair, uses oxygen, is deaf, has allergies, what medications they take, and any other important information first responders should know about. This kind of information may have saved the life of a Homewood, IL firefighter who was killed in March of 2010 when oxygen tanks exploded while he was fighting a fire in an elderly couple’s home. The elderly man who lived there (and used the oxygen) was confined to a wheelchair and also died.

2. A deaf person who calls 9-1-1 from a cell phone can start text messaging with the dispatcher to communicate. This call-then-text method allows the call taker to recognize the person has requested text messaging and then initiate a 2-way SMS communication in response to an inbound voice 9-1-1 call.

3. Some recent life saving examples include: a caller who was unable to speak because of an allergic reaction, a caller experiencing a massive heart attack, a child with a rare-breathing disorder whose mother had provided detailed pre-arrival instructions, and a attempted sexual assault where the call was disconnected before the victim could provide her apartment number.

What Sets Them Apart

The Smart911 service is a SaaS (Software as a Service) solution so set up and maintenance is easy. This also makes the long-term TCO (total cost of ownership) lower. It can be deployed in conjunction with any 9-1-1 call taking and CAD system combination and work across all phone types. A great additional benefit of this solution is the ability to geo-locate wireless callers even if the call is dropped or requires a call back – situations where the dispatcher is normally required to go through a painfully long manual process of contacting the wireless carrier directly with a subpoena.

Rave is working with a number of regional and national associations to help vulnerable populations including people with hearing impairments, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, United Way, American Lung Association, and more.

Smart911 is resonating with a few other folks as well as demonstrated by some of their awards:

IACP/iXP Excellence in Technology Award - 2011
APCO People’s Choice Award - 2011
Mobile Star Award - 2011
IDG’s Computerworld 21st Century Achievement Award - 2010
Stevie Finalist - 2009
CTIA Emerging Technology Award – 2009

Rave Mobile Safety and Smart911 are helping protect millions of people right now. It works.

Client Quote

“We have found that additional information is especially helpful when we receive 9-1-1 calls from mobile phone users, citizens with disabilities or impairments, as well as calls from homes with young children and the elderly. Those individuals need special consideration and Smart911 can better prepare our team to help.” - David Lucas, Director - Lexington 9-1-1, Lexington, KY.

“The fact that I can not only tell the responders what to expect when they arrive on scene, but that they can view the Safety Profile in their vehicles too is such a benefit. It cuts down on the time we are taking to determine the exact situation and gets our responders on-site faster.” - Donna Hargis, Operations Manager - Public Safety Joint Communications, Columbia, MO.

You can also search www.YouTube.com for Smart911 and watch newscasts and interviews.

Final Thoughts

The more information you can get to dispatchers and first responders the better the incident goes. Give the people you protect a better chance for a better outcome – provide them the opportunity to help you help them. Do 9-1-1 the smart way. Take a look at Smart911.

Company Facts
Company Name: Rave Mobile Safety
HQ City & ST: Framingham, MA
Employees: 50
Phone: 888-605-7164
Contact: Tom Axbey, President
Email: taxbey@ravemobilesafety.com
Web site: www.RaveMobileSafety.com & www.Smart911.com
Clients: 500+
Years in business: 8

Aiken Sheriff's and Planning and Development Hosts Smart 911 Registration

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

As part of an awareness campaign, the Aiken County Sheriff’s are holding an event in Wagener from 10 am to 4 pm to prepare residents for emergencies. E911 Coordinator Cathy Randall was on hand and explained that residents can go to the County Complex, the Planning and Development Department at Kalmia Plaza on Richland in Aiken.

More information below is from the Aiken County website:
http://www.aikencountysc.gov/DspSvc.cfm?qSvcID=139

Smart 911 - Are You Ready For Emergencies?

Aiken County residents can now sign up for a free service called Smart 911 that provides vital information to emergency responders when you call 911. Smart 911 is a free service that allows residents to provide critical information, such as emergency contacts, children’s photos or medical conditions, on a secure website for access by emergency responders.

Residents without a home computer may signup with Smart911 from the E911 Addressing office, the Service Center at the County Complex and any ABBE library location.
Help EMS treat you:

Tell Smart911 about your family’s medical issues like heart conditions, allergies and stroke history. This way when 9-1-1 receives a call, EMS will arrive with the appropriate equipment. For those who have a family member with Alzheimer’s, Autism or who is deaf, this service helps as well. Instantly 9-1-1 knows the caller’s condition and location without having to rely on verbal communication.

Help Police protect you:

Smart911 information can help police in numerous ways. Today when a child goes missing, it takes time for police to obtain a photo of the missing child. With Smart911 police will have that photo instantly and can begin a wide scale search sooner. Additionally, this service helps police locate you if your 9-1-1 call drops for any reason. This allows the police to locate you and your family more quickly during emergencies.
Help the fire department rescue you:

With Smart911, call takers can notify firefighters of exactly how many people live in your house - including pets - to ensure that everyone is rescued during a fire. Additionally, if you live in an apartment building, firefighters will not only know the address, but the floor and apartment number as well.
Your information is 100% private.

Your family’s profile information is completely private and secure. The details you enter on our secure and protected website are only shared with 9-1-1 dispatchers and first responders in the field, and only when you or your family members dial 9-1-1.

Local dispatchers bring home awards

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Emergency dispatchers normally work in the background, but, at least this week, they’ve been nudged into the spotlight.

Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers Joleen Kinsel and Bill Rowe won the northeast regional Smart911 Telecommunicator Award, earning two plaques and a $500 donation for the county’s Operation Feed.

The entire sheriff’s office dispatch department earned a gold ribbon award from the Ohio chapters of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials and the National Emergency Number Association.

And, the Cambridge division of the Ohio Highway Patrol earned an APCO/NENA gold ribbon award.

To make it more fitting, April 8 through today is National Telecommunicators Week.

The awards can be traced back to Oct. 18, when Terry Thompson released 56 exotic animals from his Kopchak Road farm then shot himself.

Not only did the dispatchers handle all of the emergency calls that night and keep track of the deputies, they also handled many calls from angry, sometimes hateful, people in the days that followed, said Kim Hambel, sheriff’s office director of operations.

For the Cambridge dispatchers, they played a big role in helping direct and control traffic during the incident, Hambel said.

“We’re always behind the scenes and stuff, and it’s what we do every day,” he said. “It was nice to be able to recognize all the dispatchers, because they all played a part. Both awards go out to all the dispatchers.”

For Kinsel, getting awards for what she does is a different experience.

“It’s very humbling,” she said.

Kinsel doesn’t spend a lot of time thinking about Oct. 18, but it comes up every now and then, she said — especially lately with the awards.

In the aftermath, she said, it was most difficult dealing with upset callers, she said. But on the 18th, “that night, the hardest part was just wondering if all your guys were OK, because there was so much crossfire.”

Benton considering Smart911 system

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

If a Benton resident dials 911 and reports an emergency; police, fire or emergency medical personnel respond as soon as possible. Dispatchers know who you are and where you live, but they may lack other vital information to help you and also keep the first responders safe.

“Whether it is the Fire Department, the police or EMS,” Benton Fire Chief Bill Ford said, “the more information we have, the better the outcome to the call. It is as simple as that.”

In an attempt to have additional information about where emergency personnel are going and what they may encounter, Ford and Benton Police Chief Kirk Lane have been exploring a program known as Smart911.

The two chiefs led a town meeting April 5 at the Benton Municipal Complex to gauge residents’ interest in the program.

“It is not what I want or what Chief Ford wants,” Lane said. “We want to know what you want, and if we got this service, would you use it?”

If the city makes an agreement to use the Smart911 program, residents can sign on to a website provided by Rave Mobile Safety, a private company that stores their information.

“You would be more than a number on the screen,” said Todd Miller, a vice president for public safety services with Rave, which operates Smart911. “If you dial 911 today, the dispatcher doesn’t know much more about you, other than your number and maybe your location if you are at your home phone.”

Miller said residents would create a safety profile, including a special screen for their children and pets.

“You could post a picture and description of your child,”he said. “If a child is missing, it can take a while to get a description and a picture distributed for a search, and this would speed up the process greatly.”

Other information that would be saved in a safety profile would be the layout of a family’s home, with the location of gas and power shut-offs. There could be necessary medical information that would cause special rescue needs.

“There might be oxygen kept in the house or a basement,” Ford said. “Those can be dangerous in a fire and get firefighters hurt. These are the things we need to know.

“Don’t make us have to knock your door down. Tell us where the extra key is hidden.”

“You control the information,” Todd said. “Give only the information you are comfortable with sharing.”

Attending the Benton meeting were members of the Searcy Police Department. Earlier that morning, Smart911 service officially started in Searcy, the first city in Arkansas to have the enhanced service.

At the announcement of the service in Searcy, the city’s police chief, Kyle Osborne, saidthe decision to use the Smart911 system was based on the deaf residents in the town. He said Smart911 has the option for the dispatcher to communicate with the caller via text message for the hearing impaired or those who are unable to speak during an emergency.

“We knew it wasn’t a matter of getting a call from our hardof-hearing community, but when we were going to get the next call,” said Maj. Tim Webb of the Searcy Police Department. “The Arkansas Association of the Deaf recommended Smart911.”

In Benton, the meeting was attended by more than 10 members of the community who cannot hear or speak. They questioned Todd and the chiefs about the service through a sign-language interpreter. At the end of the meeting, the residents conveyed their support for having Smart911.

Several other community members said they would feel safer if a program like Smart911 was used in Benton. They mentioned heart conditions, diabetes and mobility problems as concerns that might be eased with an enhanced system that would receive their calls for help.

Todd answered questions about the security and privacy of the system holding the safety profiles.

“We keep the information. No one at 911 has access to the information until you call 911,” he told those at the meeting. “When the dispatch gets your home number or cellphone number, then the information is instantly available.”

Todd also said that in an effort to keep the information in the system safe, Rave pays computer security firms to try and hack Rave’s system.

Lane said access to Smart911 would cost the city about $10,000, but it would not use any additional tax dollars, but would be paid by the state 911 surcharge.

He said the chiefs will now take the information gathered in the meeting to the Benton City Council. He added that some council members have expressed interest in the system, which is used in cities in 26 states.

'Smart911' service reviewed at town hall meeting

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

A town hall meeting led by Benton Police Chief Kirk Lane and Fire Chief Bill Ford was held Thursday night to present residents a software program titled “Smart911” and to obtain feedback about the system that Lane has been researching to improve the effectiveness of the current 911 response system in Benton.

At the heart of the system is a database of information that appears on the 911 dispatcher’s computer screen when a call is placed to the response center. Currently, the information available to dispatchers is limited to the telephone number of the caller and perhaps the origin of the call. With the “Smart911” system, the information will be much more in-depth and useful for the dispatcher.

The difference between current systems and the software presented to the public is that the information in the proposed system is controlled by the resident. For example, each resident may log on to the “Smart911” website and enter only the information the individual would want to be available in case of a call to 911. The individual adds information to a personal profile that includes categories such as family information, health and rescue data, household details and if there are multiple entry points to the individuals residence.

Todd Miller, vice president of public safety services for Rave Mobile Safety, said the database also can include information such as the age of any resident in the home and whether there are complicating medical conditions such as autism, diabetes, heart conditions and ambulatory issues. “This system is particularly effective for those who are deaf or hard of hearing,” said Miller. The system has a built in SMS text messaging system for those who specify they would require communication to be in text form. Rave Mobile Safety developed the software program which is now in use in 25 states.

Ford told the group, “We are in an information age. The more information we can get on calls we receive has a direct correlation with a positive outcome. We know what we will need before we leave on a call, instead of finding out when we get there.” Ford went on to say this same statement would hold true whether the call was for a fire, a police emergency or for a medical need that required dispatching an ambulance.

Miller explained that the system is free to city residents and is funded via a 911 surtax currently being collected. “There is no need for an additional tax or fee for this system to be used,” said Miller.

Lane said it is important to hear from residents regarding the system because “we need to be good stewards of our money. We want to know if residents will use the system before we allocate money toward it.”

Lane said he has had discussions with other officials and groups about the system and thus far all responses have been positive. Lane said he would have to present the request for the system to the Benton City Council before anything else could be done.

Security regarding the information in the database was discussed extensively during the town hall meeting. Miller told the group that the information in the database can be seen only at the moment the 911 call is initiated by a caller. Access to the database by any individual is not permitted or possible at any other time. Miller explained that the database has built-in security measure to prevent access to occur and that only Rave Mobile Safety has the ability to change the software.

Dispatchers and officials with local 911 services have “read-only” access.

Benton resident Barbara Nix was in the audience and asked Miller and Lane, “Why would we not want this in our community? It is a great program that will greatly enhance the safety of our citizens.”

Other residents present agreed. There were no comments opposing the system.

Miller pointed out that the system is nationwide and that if residents create a personal profile in the database and are involved in an accident in a town that uses the “Smart911” system, the information on the profile would be seen by the dispatcher if a 911 call were placed.

“The key to this system is that it is mobile and the only information seen is that which the individual wants to be seen. Nothing more,” Miller said.

Aiken County to hold Smart911 registration Saturday in Wagener

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Aiken County residents can register for Smart911 in Wagener on Saturday.

Smart911 allows residents to create a profile of vital information that will be displayed to 911 dispatchers when an emergency call is made. Responders can then use the information, which can include photos, medical conditions and household data, when responding to the call.

The service is free and can be used anywhere in the country that supports Smart911. More than 20 states use the service.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the Nancy Bonnette Library, 204 Park St. NE, Wagener. The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office will also be on-site to help with registration. Deputies will give tours of the Mobile Command Post and offer giveaways for children.

Smart Telecommunicator Award Winner Announced

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:27:00 -0400

Smart911 and iCERT Honor New York Dispatcher for Saving Choking Victim During 9-1-1 Call

Rave Mobile Safety, the trusted software partner for campus and public safety, has announced the national winner of the first annual Smart Telecommunicator Awards. Last month, 9-1-1 call-takers and dispatchers (telecommunicators) from across the U.S. were nominated by peers to receive recognition for leadership, performance and overall contributions to their Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). The general public reviewed 20 finalist entries online and thousands voted to determine a national winner, named today to draw attention to National Telecommunicators Week (now through April 14) and the valuable services provided by these professionals.

Photos and further details on the winner can be found at the Smart Telecommunicator Awards web page. The Award program is conducted by Rave Mobile Safety’s Smart911, the trusted database of critical caller data for 9-1-1, in partnership with the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies (iCERT).

Jeffrey Harter of the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, NY was named the national winner of the Smart Telecommunicator Award for taking a frantic 9-1-1 call from a mother who reported that her 17-year-old disabled daughter was choking and unable to breath. Drawing off emergency medical dispatch training, Harter’s professionalism, compassion and reassurance kept the caller calm during the desperate situation, enabling him to provide instructions that saved the victim’s life.

“Dispatcher Jeff Harter’s work exhibits the dedication of this agency to the public we serve. The effort by Jeff to constantly improve his knowledge and ability to handle these types of stressful situations are a credit to him, the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office and all the dedicated Public Safety Dispatchers throughout the country. His professional response during this incident saved Lauren LaMariana. I commend him for his attention to detail during this incident and compassion for the life of another,” said Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting, Jr. of the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office.

“I was in a panic when I realized Lauren was choking,” said Gwen Hornbeck, mother of Lauren LaMariana, during a ceremony honoring Harter that was held today at the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office. “Jeff calmed me down and I know his instructions helped us to save her life. I can’t thank him enough for what he did for my daughter.”

“Our goal is to honor telecommunicators for their skills and detail the crucial services that this profession provides,” said Tom Axbey, chief executive officer of Rave Mobile Safety. “Jeff’s response to this call illustrates the fast-action and composure required to effectively deal with diverse emergency situations.”

In addition to the Award, Smart911 presented a donation of $1,000 in Harter’s name to the American Cancer Society, a charity of his choosing. Also, Smart911 has named four regional honorees of Smart Telecommunicator Awards, with $500 donations each being made to a charity of their choice.

Regional honorees include:

Central Region – Jose Tovar, Austin Police Department/Emergency Communications, TX: Tovar received a call from a female reporting two suspicious persons outside her residence, when the suspects suddenly attempted to break down her door. The victim reported her boyfriend was getting his gun and intended to use it. Crisis Unit responders and the victim praised Tovar for maintaining a dialogue and relaying critical information that brought calm to the volatile situation.
Northeast Region - William Rowe & Joleen Kinsel, Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office, OH: The two Ohio telecommunicators found themselves on the front-line of a situation garnering worldwide attention when a man released 48 exotic animals – including bears, lions and tigers – before committing suicide. Their actions and professionalism amidst this never-before-encountered scenario is cited as preventing serious injury to both citizens and law enforcement.
Southeast Region – Deborah Stewart, Bartlett Police Dept, TN: During a police investigation of a missing person’s case, Stewart actively compiled information on the situation which enabled police to apprehend the suspect responsible for the murder of the missing person, as well as three other homicides. Her quick thinking was vital to solving these open cases.
West Region - Karen Stout, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, NV - During a single shift, Stout received calls about a large wildfire breakout, accompanied by winds in excess of 50 MPH that kicked off spot fires throughout the area. At the same time, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden was speaking at a local high school. The telecommunicator’s deft dispatching skills are credited with managing the prompt evacuation of the Vice President and ensuring public safety from all fires

“Both Smart911 and iCERT continually work towards improving 9-1-1 services across the US. We know that without these talented and dedicated telecommunicators, our efforts would be for naught. This is our way of thanking them for all that they do,” stated iCERT Executive Director, George Rice.

Smart911 is a national system that provides citizens with the ability to enter information that they want to make available to 9-1-1 telecommunicators through a secure website at www.Smart911.com. Information can include children’s photos, medical conditions, disabilities, home addresses of cellphone callers, or other rescue-related information. Smart911 delivers this information automatically with a 9-1-1 call to participating PSAPs. Smart911 enables emergency responders to be more effective because they have access to a rich source of critical health and logistics information before arriving at the scene of an emergency. Smart911 also supports the critical need to effectively capture and manage data for special needs citizens.

About the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies (iCERT)
The Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies (iCERT) represents the voice of the commercial sector in the emergency communications field. Established by a group of prominent leaders in December 2005 originally as the 9-1-1 Industry Alliance, iCERT - the Industry Council - plays an important role as the voice of companies on public policy issues impacting 9-1-1 and the emergency response system. Industry Council members believe that business leaders’ expertise can assist public policymakers and government emergency communications professionals as they address complex choices regarding advanced communications technology alternatives in the years ahead. Through advocacy, research and in coordination with the public sector, the Industry Council plays a vital role in the development and deployment of emergency response technologies. Find out more at www.theindustrycouncil.org.

Smart 911 comes to Searcy

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:58:00 -0400

Using Smart 911, residents can create computer profiles that only emergency responders will be able to see. In an emergency, it will allow dispatchers to see any allergies you might have, or disabilities.

Faron Huggins says, “I had a heart attack here and I have problems driving on the road and there was no one to help me because here 911 was very poor.”

It was a scary situation for Huggins, a Searcy resident who is deaf, and unfortunately what he described is not uncommon. He says, ”I was yelling help and I was stuck but now 911 has improved and is much more helpful.”

Improved by adding a new program, Smart 911. It’s a way to create a profile and share information about yourself that will help first responders, should an emergency ever happen. You can let them know what you are allergic to or if you have a health condition.

Todd Miller says, “When you create the profile it is only made available to 911 when it is dialed.” Miller with Smart 911 says it’s a safe way to open up a better line of communication better. He adds, “In collaboration with the deaf and hard of hearing community we are working on way for text messaging to be integrated into the 911 center.”

Mayor David Morris agrees, this is a needed program to ensure people’s safety. He says, “We’re extremely proud to be the first city to implement this program cause it will mean a lot and save a lot of lives and save people.” By giving responders a leg up-by, letting them know more about you before they arrive. Morris says, ”It’s helpful for the deaf, the blind and anyone with problems.”

If you want it available in your area, the association urges you to contact your local representatives and let them know you want the program to be statewide. So far 20 states are using the program. If you would like to sign up, check Smart 911’s website.

Smart911 coming to Osage County

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 08:55:00 -0400

Osage County plans to implement the national safety database, Smart911, to improve their 9-1-1 services starting Monday.

Already being used in over 20 states across the country, Smart911 will allow citizens to create a safety profile of personal and household data, including household members, photos, medications or medical conditions and even pets, which will be displayed to 9-1-1 call takers immediately when a citizen places an emergency call.

Smart911 is a free service available to all citizens. Safety profiles can be created through the Smart911 website at www.Smart911.com

Alpharetta, Milton Residents Can Help 911 Dispatchers

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:04:00 -0400

The cities has signed up with Smart911, a service that lets residents set up a record of important medical and household information emergency personnel need when answering 911 calls

Information is the most important commodity when police, fire or paramedics are dispatched to your home, and in the panic of the moment it’s tough to remember everything.

Alpharetta has signed up with Smart911, a service that allows individuals to create a record of all the important personal and household information they want to share with emergency personnel when a 911 call is made. When a person calls on a registered phone number, the information automatically pops up for dispatchers to use.

Milton, which has its police and fire personnel dispatched by Alpharetta’s 911 center, also is participating in Smart911, according to Jason Wright, communications manager for Milton

George Gordon, spokesman for the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety, said residents can include information such as what vehicles are at the home, pets, firearms, if any family member is disabled, where gas and water lines are, where the doors are to the home and “any information whatsoever they want a 911 call taker to know.

Gordon said a big piece of information is what medications a person takes. If ambulance crews know what medicines a victim is taking, they will be formulating their emergency medical response even before they arrive at the scene.

Smart911 is in 20 states now, he said.

The information is portable, so if someone has registered a phone number here in Alpharetta or Milton and they travel to Topeka, Kansas or one of the other communities already signed up for Smart911, the dispatchers out there will see the exact same information Alpharetta dispatchers see when a 911 call is made in those towns.

Cellphones are hard to track, and though police are getting better at locating people, especially if they are in an area within three cell towers’ range, this service makes it easier to track a person.

There’s no extra charge to residents for Smart911. The 911 fee paid by anyone living in the city who has a mobile phone or land line phone pays for the service. Set aside a few moments to register and fill out the information you want dispatchers to see when you dial 911. You can always come back and update information.

Smart911 probably has more seniors signed up, but the age brackets are coming down, Gordon said.

“This is one of the times social media really pays off. This will end up saving lives,” Gordon said.