Smart911 system to reduce emergency response times

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas - The evolution of technology in telecommunications is enabling Montgomery County first responders to radically reduce their response time to better administer life-saving services, with the new Smart911 system that already protects over 32 million people nationwide. Montgomery County is the first county to implement it.

The Montgomery County Emergency Communication District (MCECD) is rolling out this new service and improving other existing systems to take advantage of the new Smart911 technology which is private, secure, and best of all...free! (See brief overview in video.)

Currently over 75% of emergency calls made to 9-1-1 are from mobile phones. The call can be routed to a cell tower outside of the area of the emergency, and the call taker may not be familiar with the location of the call. More significantly, an exact address is not provided from a cell phone. In critical situations seconds count, especially if there is a fire or a severe medical condition. A phone number and a general sense of location forces the call takers to spend precious seconds getting essential information. The Smart 911 system will provide everything you choose to share, with the call takers immediately.

“The service is being provided free of charge on behalf of the Montgomery County Emergency Communication District and the Commissioners,” said MCECD Executive Director, Chip VanSteenberg. “Some systems are already available, and we have 155 people who have provided their profiles to date. July fifth is the official date to roll out the program.”

Smart911 is being provided by Rave Mobile Safety. The data will be stored in a redundant storage facility that is private and secure, and will undergo routine audits to make certain the data is protected. Dual servers ensure a backup system.

The following is a list of essential information you should want to provide first responders:

• Names, physical descriptions, and photos of all members of your household, to help responders act quickly if a child or senior goes missing, and to help identify individuals in an emergency.
• Include medical conditions for each member of the household, allergies, disabilities and equipment, and especially medications and their whereabouts in the home. Avoiding dangerous drug interactions during treatment is a priority. Listing serious conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, etc., will enable first responders to safely and effectively treat the patient.
• Add all phones for your household and your address. Mobile phones don’t provide an address for the caller. Aid 9-1-1 with this information so they can assist you in an expedient manner.
• Provide emergency contacts...next of kin, other family members, friends or neighbors, and their phone numbers.
• Include pets, especially invaluable service animals, and also include any livestock.

Additional information that would be advantageous for first responders to have:

• A photo of your residence in addition to the address, can help first responders find the location faster in the dark, during storms, or a disaster.
• Provide details on the layout of your home, especially the bedroom locations, to ensure everyone is quickly and safely removed from the property.
• Indicate where gas or electrical shutoffs are located in case of fire or weather disaster.
• List all vehicles including the make, model, year, and license, in the event you have a vehicular emergency.

For those who reside in a multi-family dwelling, indicate the location of the condo or apartment on the property, and which floor and number of the unit.

Especially significant…any communication needs if English is not the primary language, and if an individual is deaf or hard of hearing. Dispatchers will notify first responders that an alternate form of communication is required.

Another facet of the program is Smart911 Facility. For commercial application, a profile can be set up for a business that can include fire and security contacts, geographical layout and floor plans, fire exits, utility shutoff locations, and access codes.

Eventually, weather alerts and emergency notices will be dispatched via Smart911. On September 1, the current Code Red system will be discontinued, and Smart911 will dispatch these important notifications for the purpose of continuity.

“The community can provide as much or as little information as they want, but they should at least register to get the emergency alerts,” said VanSteenberg. “Currently there are only 28,000 registered users on the Code Red system.”

Registered residents will need to keep Smart911 updated with current information.

“Keep the data current. It’s better to have no information than to have the wrong information,” added VanSteenberg.

The last phase will be to provide a texting capability for 9-1-1. It’s not available yet for Montgomery County, but it’s is being targeted for early 2017. A mobile app isn’t available yet, either.

“How can we get this out to the people?” asked Precinct 3 Constable Ryan Gable.

MCECD is seeking opportunities to provide the community with this lifesaving program. Town hall meetings, homeowners associations, civic clubs, and networking organizations are asked to consider providing a speaker opportunity. Call Andrea Wilson at 936-523-5917, to set up a date. Keep your loved ones safe. Smart911 is the smart way to provide lifesaving information directly to 9-1-1 and first responders in an emergency. For more information visit www.smart911.com

See related links about The Woodlands Township’s Emergency Preparedness Event June 4:

Emergency Preparedness Event

Neighborhood Watch Emergency Preparedness Event June 4