Monthly News Round Up – March 2020

Published by Melissa Alvarez on March 26, 2020

9-1-1 News You Should Know

Here’s how Coronavirus will Change What a 9-1-1 Dispatcher will Ask You

While fielding your concerns about COVID-19, 9-1-1 is asking new questions to protect fellow first responders as they respond to incidents.

Five Ways 9-1-1 Is Preparing for COVID-19

The 9-1-1 community is serving at the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting quickly to try to mitigate the risks of a global emergency.

Coronavirus Spread Creates Risk for 911: Who Will Answer?

9-1-1 telecommunicators cannot stay home during the COVID-19 crisis, and as the virus spreads, 9-1-1 centers must grapple with the possibility of call takers falling ill.

IoT and 9-1-1

Uber Launches Discreet Text-to-911 Technology Nationwide

Uber’s new user safety initiative lets riders text 9-1-1 discreetly when they find themselves in unsafe situations and can’t speak.

U.S. Government, Tech Industry Discussing Ways to Use Smartphone Location Data to Combat Coronavirus

The U.S. government is in active talks with Facebook, Google, and more tech companies and health experts about how they can use data to combat the novel pandemic.

Microsoft to Prioritize Cloud Access for First Responders and Emergency Services

As demand for cloud access surges with many companies adopting work from home policies, Microsoft is prioritizing first responders and emergency services and partnering with governments to support local data centers.

RapidSOS in the News

Columbia County Honors a Hero

Karl Burnstad called 9-1-1 when his mother was unconscious and saved her life. For their bravery, RapidSOS honored the six-year-old and the dispatchers who answered the call with LifeSaver Certificates and challenge coins.

Safe Zone, RapidSOS Connect Gunfire Detection Technology to 911

RapidSOS and Safe Zone have teamed up to send life-saving data directly from Safe Zone gunfire detectors to 9-1-1 centers nationwide.

Resources for 9-1-1 during COVID-19

MedicAlert Data Available in RapidSOS Portal

Health profile and medical history information are priorities when dealing with COVID-19 related emergencies – here is a refresher on how information from MedicAlert arrives in RapidSOS Portal.

View: MedicAlert Training

NENA Webinar

New questions arise every day about how public safety professionals keep themselves safe while protecting their communities. Register here for NENA’s free webinar on March 25th to learn how to best navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

RapidSOS Portal Training & Utilization Webinar

RapidSOS Portal is a free solution that delivers caller location and additional data to 9-1-1 during emergencies. Whether you already have RapidSOS Portal, or are new to the tool, register here for our webinar on March 27th to learn more about how to access and utilize this free solution in your center today.

NENA’s Resources for COVID-19

NENA has compiled a list of resources to support the 9-1-1 community during the COVID-19 outbreak. Click here to access materials such as a Pandemic Planning Checklist, the CDC’s Interim Guidance for EMS and PSAPs, and FEMA’s Pandemic Influenza Continuity of Operation Guide.

Access: NENA Resources for COVID-19

APCO’s Resources for COVID-19

APCO International has created a page dedicated to COVID-19 resources and set up a PSConnect Discussion Forum where members can ask questions regarding COVID-19 response and the impact on emergency communications centers.

Access: APCO Resources for COVID-19

If there is anything that we can do to better support you and your team, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your CSM or to support@rapidsos.com.