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Smart911 continues to provide valuable details to first responders
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By JESSICA ROSE Community Marketing Manager, Smart911
• An elderly man in Jonesboro slipped and fell at home. He had multiple ailments and was unable to effectively communicate, but his Safety Profile provided his home address as well as his medical details. First responders were able to begin administering treatment quickly upon arriving at the scene.
n 2012 Arkansas became the first state in the country to implement Smart911 statewide to improve emergency response for all Arkansans. Smart911 is a national safety Smart911 recently was featured on Good Morning America service that allows residents to create for their household after helping to save a man’s life in Michigan. When Dan Hoffa Safety Profile that contains any information they want 9-1-1 man awoke from a nap to find his home on fire, he dialed 9-1-1 and first responders to know in the event of an emergency. but was unable to speak through the smoke. His Safety Profile When the resident dials 9-1-1, his profile is immediately availprovided dispatchers with his home address. This cut 11 minutes able to the dispatcher providing valuable details to facilitate a off the response time and saved Hoffman’s life. Today Hoffman fast and effective response. is thankful he is Since statewide alive to hug his two implementation, daughters and is a Smart911 Safety encouraging everyProfile has apince statewide implementation, a Smart911 Safety one to take a few peared with more minutes to prepare than 38,000 9-1-1 for an emergency. Profile has appeared with more than 38,000 9-1calls in Arkansas, Organizations providing additionacross Arkansas, 1 calls in Arkansas, providing additional information to al information to including 9-1-1 enhance the emeremergency centers, enhance the emergency response process. gency response police, fire and emergency medical process. Incidents services continue within the state of to work to spread Arkansas where a the word about Smart911 and encourage residents to sign up Smart911 profile has been utilized include: for the service. Their efforts reach more and more residents each day, but additional support is helpful. Any community groups, • In Pulaski County, a frantic mother dialed 9-1-1 when her government agencies, public officials or residents who are able daughter went missing after school one day. Because she had included her daughter’s photo, age and description in her Safety to help spread the word can e-mail Arkansas@smart911.com for more information. Profile, the 9-1-1 dispatcher was able to immediately ask what To sign up for the free service, visit www.smart911.com. In the girl was wearing that day. The girl was found safe. addition to providing valuable details for 9-1-1 responders, residents also can also opt to answer questions to assist emergency • A boy in Fort Smith fell in his yard, cutting his face on the management to prepare for and respond to disasters. These barbeque grill. In a panic, his mother dialed 9-1-1 but forgot to details can include anyone in their home who needs assistance mention his allergy to latex. However, this detail was listed in evacuating, whether they have a 72-hour supply of food and the family’s Safety Profile and was passed on to first responders water or information about resources they have to assist with a as they were en route to the scene. response to a disaster.
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www.arcounties.org COUNTY LINES, WINTER 2015
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