Smart911 and Quota International Inc. Team Up to Promote Enhanced 9-1-1 Service for Deaf, Hard-of-hearing and Speech-impaired
Apr 27, 2015, 08:20 ET
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. and WASHINGTON, April 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Quota International Inc. and Smart911 today announced a partnership that will focus on keeping families in the United States safe by promoting new tools that can be used for more effective emergency service to the deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-impaired.
Quota International, an international non-profit organization empowering women, children, the deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-impaired, and Smart911, a national public safety service enabling citizens to create a free, online Safety Profile for their household, believe this innovative tool can affect millions of Americans. A Safety Profile includes any information a user wants 9-1-1 and response teams to have during an emergency, including details on hearing and speech impairments.
"Quota International has a tremendous reputation for supporting so many people, including the deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-impaired," said Tom Axbey, chief executive officer of Rave Mobile Safety, creators of Smart911. "Through joint marketing efforts – nationally and in local communities – we're going to raise awareness of how Smart911 can enable this community to receive not just a level of emergency response that many of us take for granted, but enhanced services."
Currently, the deaf community uses a relay service or TTY, which can delay emergency response. With Smart911, these citizens dial 9-1-1 directly and dispatchers immediately know they are being contacted by someone that may have difficulty communicating. At many public safety answering points with Smart911, callers can even communicate via text messaging. A Safety Profile can include additional details a user wants 9-1-1 to have during an emergency. From the location of bedrooms enabling fire crews to locate residents to medical details that facilitate faster, more precise emergency medical service and more, the Safety Profile automatically displays to a call-taker when a 9-1-1 call is made, allowing them to send the right response teams to the right location with the right information.
"For individuals who can't communicate because they are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or speech-impaired, precious time is saved when 9-1-1 call-takers have immediate access to vital information," said Quota International's Executive Director, Barbara Schreiber. "Smart911 also gives parents the option to include photos of their children in the event they go missing, resulting in faster and more efficient emergency response. We urge our members to visit http://www.smart911.com/ and create a Safety Profile for their household today."
Smart911 serves more than 1,000 U.S. communities across 40 states. It has been credited with positively impacting emergency situations including a missing child case in Arkansas, and saving lives, such as a heart attack victim in Nashville and a house fire victim in Michigan. To find if the service is available in your area, please visit https://www.smart911.com/smart911/isSmart911InMyAreaForm.action.
About Quota International Inc.
Founded in 1919, Quota International was created by five Buffalo, New York businesswomen who saw the potential for a women's-only service organization to meet the needs of communities around the globe. Today, Quota International, a nonpartisan, 501c3 nonprofit organization is dedicated to empowering women, children, the deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing and speech-impaired. Utilizing the leaders and members in individual communities, Quota International boasts over 5000 members in 264 cities who raise millions of dollars to start, contribute to, and maintain service projects in 12 countries. For additional information visit: quotainternational.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About Rave Mobile Safety
Rave Mobile Safety is the most trusted safety software partner, providing innovative communication software for better emergency preparedness and faster response. Used by leading education institutes, enterprises and state and local public safety agencies, the award-winning portfolio of Rave Alert, Rave Guardian, Eyewitness, Rave Panic Button, Smart911 and SmartPrepare protects millions of individuals. Rave Mobile Safety is headquartered in Framingham, MA. For more information, please visit http://www.ravemobilesafety.com.
Media Contacts:
Marty Querzoli
Davies Murphy Group
[email protected]
(781) 418-2433
Clarke Williams
Quota International Inc.
[email protected]
(202) 331-9694
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SOURCE Rave Mobile Safety