Time and information are both critical to emergency responders answering the call when someone is ill or injured and a new capability at Prentiss County E-911 is helping provide more of both when seconds count.
The county’s emergency response service now has the capability of receiving emergency contact and health information from a caller’s Apple or Android phone when they call for help.
E-911 Director Melissa Hamlin said the service through RapidSOS is free to the county and can give 911 operators vital information to assist medical and other responders in the event of an emergency.
“This speeds getting information to responders,” she said.
Hamlin explained all people have to do is set up their emergency sos contact information in the settings on their device. The information can include an emergency contact name and number as well as essential information on drug allergies and health conditions such as diabetes, heart problems, or others.
Hamlin emphasized the information is only visible to 911 operators when the person calls 911 and, as with all health and personal information, is kept strictly confidential.
Combined with 911’s ability to receive the exact location of a phone when it is used to call 911, Hamlin said the new capability can make a huge difference to help responders know how to care for a person when they arrive on the scene. It can be especially beneficial if a caller is injured or ill and unable to clearly communicate to the 911 operator.
Hamlin said anyone who has questions about setting up the information in the phone can call her at the office’s non-emergency number, 662-728-0939 and leave a message and she’ll call them back as soon as possible to assist.
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