COVID-19 has undoubtedly interrupted life as we know it, but many are itching to return to the normalcy we knew before the pandemic. June saw state governments begin phased reopenings as summer months and holidays approach. In many states, including Arizona, California, and Florida, confirmed cases have spiked. The reopening has been scaled back in Texas in response to rising hospitalizations.
Per spikes in confirmed cases and warnings from health experts, the pandemic is clearly not over in the United States. It is critical to continue to empower first responders and communities to appropriately respond to what may still be to come.
911 News You Should Know
NYC launches Text-to-911 service after years of delay
New York City has launched its Text-to-911 service after years of delays. The initiative has been several years in the making under New York’s NextGeneration 911 project.
Several California Counties Move Toward Next-Gen 911
911 systems across California are getting an upgrade to more quickly route first responders to the scene of an emergency and improve response times.
Tech and Public Safety
New ways to quickly call 911 on your phone along with the best safety apps
In an emergency, your phone becomes a lifeline to help – by directly calling 911, but also by sending critical data to first responders from apps already installed on your phone.
Apple Watch fall detection praised for calling 911 and providing location info after man fainted
In Chandler, Arizona, first responders successfully located a man who had fainted. His Apple Watch detected that he had experienced a hard fall and sent precise location data to the local 911 center.
92-Year-Old Nebraska Farmer Credits Apple Watch With Saving His Life
The fall detection feature built into the Apple Watch saved a 92 year old man’s life after he fell off of a ladder. The technology sent a distress signal to local first responders, who found him in time with the location provided by the smartwatch.
RapidSOS in the News
RapidSOS raises $21M to continue expanding its data platform for first responders
RapidSOS has closed a new funding round led by Transformation Capital, bringing our total funding to $100M+, as we work to support public safety with life-saving data during this unprecedented pandemic.
This Harvard MBA Just Raised $21 Million To Help Emergency Workers Get Crucial Data On Callers
RapidSOS CEO Michael Martin was featured in Forbes this month, as well as our newest funding round and our latest initiatives to support first responders in saving lives.