By Sherry Larson

People’s Defender

Jennifer Smith, Adams County 9-1-1 Coordinator, wants you to sign up for Smart911. She and her team are working hard to keep Adams County safe. She announced that Rave Mobile Safety is now available to all residents in Adams County. “Rave Mobile Safety is a free service that allows individuals to sign up for notifications sent from state and local authorities. Rave Mobile Safety informs residents and travelers about potentially hazardous situations involving weather, traffic, and other emergencies.” Rave is integrated with IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert and Warning System), which all Adams County dispatchers are certified in.

“Rave Mobile Safety enables authorities to notify the community in real-time,” said Smith. “This service allows for critical communication with the public and provides individuals with the information needed to stay safe or take precautions during hazardous or emergencies.”

Smith explained that Rave Mobile Safety will go live soon in Adams County, enabling residents and travelers of Adams County, Ohio, and signing up is free. This service allows individuals to receive timely and actionable emergency alerts via email, text, or voice message. They can also identify when and how they are alerted and communicate with them before, during, and after emergencies.

“Community members will receive notifications that will improve safety in our city and help inform residents of potentially lifesaving actions they may need to take in an emergency,” said Smith. “The information sent out by Rave Mobile Safety through emergency notifications allows residents and first responders to be better informed in an emergency.”

Community members are encouraged to sign up for Rave Mobile Safety/Smart911 and enter their information and notification preferences today at https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/login.action?pa=adamscountyoh or in the Smart911 app found at the Apple Store, Google Play, or text “Smart911” to 67283. Anyone needing assistance can ask for Jennifer Smith at 937-544-2314. Her office will help anyone sign up. Students will also receive information during their first week of school to share with their parents.

Along with receiving emergency notifications, each new member of Smart 911 creates a personal profile with the necessary information, such as allergies and emergency contacts. Anytime someone makes an emergency call from their registered phone, the 9-1-1 system recognizes the phone number and automatically displays their profile to the intaker at 9-1-1.

Seconds save lives! Programs like Smart911 and Rapid SOS used by the Adams County 911 Department are designed to respond to emergencies quickly and efficiently. The future of 911 depends on funding these types of emergency systems. New innovative programs are on the horizon, designed to keep children safer in schools and decrease emergency response time. The Adams County Board of Elections confirmed a 911 levy will be on the ballot this fall in hopes of additional financing for programs impacting the health and safety of Adams County residents.

Smith, a member of Smart911 herself, wants everyone to register for the program so they will be ready to use it on day one. She said, “I’m excited about it, and I hope people sign up.”