The Owensboro-Daviess County Central Dispatch upgraded its Smart911 system earlier this week as part of a regular maintenance procedure.
Paul Nave, 911 dispatch director, said the main added feature is a new map version that allows dispatchers to locate people even faster when they call 9-1-1.
“Now it gives us a street plus the nearest address that it thinks you’re located,” Nave said. “We could do it (before) but it wasn’t as efficient.”
The 9-1-1 center has been using Smart911 since 2011. It is a free service where residents can create a safety profile at Smart911.com.
Individuals may submit as much or as little information as they want, and the information will only be seen if an individual calls 9-1-1.
The purpose is to provide emergency dispatch with background information and details that otherwise might not be translated or expressed in an emergency.
“Even if you don’t have Smart911, this system here will use the Smart911 technology to help us locate you,” Nave said. “This is another example of doing our due diligence and using technology to help you when you have an emergency.”
