Thursday March, 21 2024 @ 18:00

Nature: Welcome Wednesday – Guest Speaker Event – Steven C. Deery, Jr.

Topics:  SMART911

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company in collaboration with the Indian Mission Church hosted its Welcome Wednesday Speakers Forum as a community outreach campaign to directly engage and inform our community on a variety of topics.

The guest speaker was Steven C. Deery, Jr., Quality Assurance Manager, Sussex County Emergency Operations Center to discuss SMART911 which is an online service that allows residents to create a Safety Profile for their household and pre-load information in that profile that is critical for first responders. 

Sussex County announced the launch of Smart911 in September 2014 - a supplemental data service that allows you to create a safety profile that can be seen by emergency responders when you call 911.

Smart911 is currently up and running in Sussex County! You can sign up today at www.Smart911.com .

• How does Smart911 work?

Go to Smart911.com and click on "Sign Up". Then, when you call 911 from a registered phone number, the 9-1-1 system recognizes your phone number and automatically displays your profile on the screen of the call taker who receives your call. The data is secure and is only available to emergency service personnel when you call 911.

•  What is a Safety Profile?

A Safety Profile is a set of information about an individual, or a household that is contained within one account on Smart911.com. Information can include details about all members of the household, all phone numbers (mobile, landline or VOIP) and all addresses including home, work and even vacation homes. Users can also add details about medical conditions, medications, vehicles, pets and even emergency contacts.

•  What kind of information can I list in my safety profile?

You can include as little or as much information in your profile as you like. Information may include address, medical and security information. This service is voluntary, so you decide what information you want emergency responders to know about you when you call 911.

•  Who should create a safety profile?

Anyone can create a safety profile. Those that are especially encouraged to register are people with medical or disability information. Wireless phone users are also encouraged, as wireless phone calls to 911 only provide a general location of the caller, not an exact address. Registering your home, school and work addresses (including apartment and room numbers) can help responders locate you more easily.

•  How long does it take to create a safety profile?

Setting up a profile can take as little as 5-10 minutes, depending on how much information you wish to provide. You can always go back and update existing, or add additional information to your profile.

• Is there a cost to register for Smart911?

There is no fee to create a safety profile with Smart911.

•  Can I register my family members?

You are encouraged to create a safety profile that includes everyone in your household. You can also create safety profiles on behalf of elderly parents, those with disabilities, or anyone not comfortable with computers, designating yourself as the primary contact.

• What if English is not my primary language?

You can create a safety profile in multiple languages and specify your primary language. When your profile displays at the 911 center it will be translated back into English. If an interpreter is required, the 911 Call Taker will be able to see which language you designated as your primary language.

•  Once I have registered do I need to do anything else?

The more up-to-date your information is, the better. Smart911 prompts registered users to verify their information every six months. However, you should update your profile anytime there is any change to your information.

• Is my information secure?

Smart911 utilizes the latest 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 field responders when you call 911.

For more information, visit the following links:

Delaware Senior Olympics - https://delawareseniorolympics.org/plan-ahead-emergency-smart911/

SMART911 - http://www.smart911.com

SMART 911 Video - http://youtu.be/m9jPie30sjs

SMART 911 - Sussex County Emergency Operations - https://sussexcountyde.gov/smart911