Smart911 Marks National Pet Week by Encouraging Use of Safety Profiles to Protect People, Pets and Emergency Responders

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With National Pet Week underway, Rave Mobile Safety, the trusted software partner for campus and public safety, is encouraging the use of Smart911 to protect people and pets, as well as public safety personnel responding to 9-1-1 calls. Rave's Smart911 is a public/private partnership creating a first-of-its-kind, critical caller database that is already helping citizens and emergency responders across 23 states.

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Currently, when 9-1-1 receives a call, only a phone number and some level of location data are displayed. With Smart911, citizens create safety profiles online holding personal data that is automatically displayed to 9-1-1 only during emergency calls. This can include resident photos, floor-plans, specifics on medical conditions and disabilities, home addresses of cellphone callers and other rescue-related data. It can also include information on pets. This enables emergency responders to be more effective because they have access to a rich source of critical health and logistics information before arriving at the scene of an emergency. Knowing that a pet is on premise during an emergency allows a much better chance of avoiding tragedy for all involved.

According to the 2011-2012 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association, 63 percent of all U.S. households have a pet, the highest level in two decades. The survey also showed there are 78.2 million dog and 86.4 million cat owners, with more than half stating they would leap into action for an injured pet.

Through Smart911, when police officers or EMTs arrive on the scene of an emergency they know if a dog is on premise and can take steps to see that the victim gets immediate attention without harm coming to a protective pet. Additionally, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), there are an estimated 2,560 civilian fire fatalities each year, deaths that generally occur when an individual is escaping, sleeping or is unable to act. With Smart911, firefighters know where bedrooms are located, who lives at a property, their names and such things as the location of a gas main. This is the type of information that can save the lives of people and the animals they love, and authorities generally agree that at least 40,000 pets die yearly from smoke inhalation.

"When emergency responders arrive at a residence with information on what awaits, their effectiveness increases dramatically," said Tom Axbey, president and CEO, Rave Mobile Safety. "Pets can be very protective and simply knowing an animal's name can alleviate a potentially stressful situation. Smart911 is a great way for owners to protect themselves and all family members, including pets, while facilitating the work of public safety personnel that are there to help during emergency situations."

About Rave Mobile Safety

Rave Mobile Safety is the most trusted software partner for campus and public safety. Used by leading Institutes of Higher Education and State and Local Agencies, the award-winning portfolio of RaveAlert, RaveGuardian, Eyewitness, Smart911 and SmartPrepare enables millions to feel safe, secure and connected. Rave Mobile Safety is headquartered in Framingham, MA. For more information please visit www.ravemobilesafety.com

Contact:
Marty Querzoli
Davies Murphy Group
[email protected]
(781) 418-2433

SOURCE Rave Mobile Safety