Free emergency response service launches in Kent Co.

“I envision that this could save a life someday.”, Responded Kent County Dept. of Public Safety Assistant Director, Kevin Sipple, when asked about the impact Smart911 could have.

Smart911 can be looked at as a scouting report for law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency response personnel, providing key insight in moments when time is of the essence.

With its official launch in Kent County, Smart 911 is now available across Delaware.

“When somebody calls 911, they’re not having the best day. Trying to get information out of a caller that’s having a bad day sometimes is difficult to do.” Said Sipple, “it gives a lot of benefit and it should cut down on the call processing time.”

Here’s how it works, on the website, users voluntarily submit information about their family, home, and medication allergies, as well as contact information.

Once a user profile is created the information gets attached that user’s phone number.

That way, when dispatch receives a call from that number, the information automatically appears and is shared amongst Smart911 certified responders.

Allowing for a faster response and personnel assessment.

“this information is already pre-populated. When they call, we know if they’re on any medications, we know how many people live inside of a home, if a child is abducted, we already have a picture that is accurate.”

With sensitive personal information online in a time where cyber hacking seems to be at a high, we’re told not to worry.

In a statement on their website, Smart911 stresses the safety of personal information from hackers, saying:

“Smart911 utilizes the highest standards in physical and computer security technologies and conducts regular audits to ensure all information held in Smart911 is kept secure, and only made available to 911 and emergency responders who are responding to or planning for emergencies.”

As for the information accessibility on dispatches end Sipple tells 47 ABC that it is locked and only made available upon a participant’s call to 911.

After that initial call, the info is available for sharing amongst select public safety officials for no more than 45 minutes.

According to Smart911, their service is available in 40 states and over 1,500 municipalities thought the country.

You can create an online profile with Smart911 here.