DuPage County is urging residents to sign up for its Smart911 program in the new year.
The program lets county residents tie certain information to a profile that appears to emergency dispatchers when a person calls 911.
The information that is included can be determined by the resident, but can include ages, photos or physical descriptions of family members; home information such as address, utility-shutoff valves and keyholders; medications, medical conditions or disabilities; and any sort of unique considerations, such as language restrictions, restraining orders or rescue notes.
“More than 70 percent of 911 calls come from mobile phones," DuPage County Emergency Telephone Service Board Chairman Gary Grasso said. "That cell phone’s exact location can’t always be determined by GPS from a cell tower. Smart911’s enhanced service displays the listed address of the mobile phone in the profile and can track the call via GPS, even if the call is disconnected. This is just one of many reasons it makes sense for consumers to take a moment this holiday season to set up a Smart 911 profile and ensure their family’s safety.”
The Smart911 program is available to anyone who lives, works or visits DuPage County. All information is kept confidential and is available only to 911 emergency responders who pick up the call.
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