Smart911 Opens Online Voting to Select 9-1-1 Call-Takers for Third Annual Smart Telecommunicator Awards

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- For the past several weeks, 9-1-1 call-takers and dispatchers (telecommunicators) in the United States have been nominated by their colleagues and citizens for the third annual Smart Telecommunicator Awards. Today, Rave Mobile Safety, the trusted software partner for campus and public safety, announced online voting is now open for the 20 finalists who have demonstrated leadership, performance, compassion for callers, ability to inspire co-workers and overall contributions to their Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs).

The public can now review the finalist submissions and vote online at www.smart911.com/sta through April 4, 2014 at 5:00 pm EDT.

The Smart Telecommunicator Award was created, and is sponsored, by Rave Mobile Safety's Smart911, the acclaimed national public safety service, in order to highlight the critical public safety role telecommunicators play. It is conducted in partnership with the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies (iCERT) and the Denise Amber Lee Foundation. Smart911 will name a national winner and four regional honorees during National Telecommunicators Week (April 13-19). The national winner will receive a donation of $1000 to the charity of their choice, while regional honorees will receive a $500 donation to charity of their choosing.         

This year's nominees once again illustrate the crucial services that 9-1-1 telecommunicators provide, their dedication and the stressful situations they encounter, including such examples as:

• A Tewksbury, Mass. telecommunicator received a 9-1-1 call from a grandmother in the middle of the night, who reported her three year old grandchild was not breathing. The telecommunicator calmly instructed the frantic caller to lay the child on the ground and began guiding the grandmother through the rescue process. Within a few seconds, the child became responsive. The telecommunicator's calm demeanor, professionalism and sound thinking resulted in a life saved.
• In Russellville, Ark., a telecommunicator received a call from a local woman who had been speaking with her boyfriend who was stationed at a U.S. Air Force base in Germany via a video chat. The caller's boyfriend had been complaining about strange headaches and stepped off camera for a moment. During that time, he grew unresponsive and the caller feared that something had happened. The telecommunicator kept the woman calm and instructed her to keep the chat line open. In the meantime, he began contacting local U.S. military facilities who were not able to help. His dedication and persistence finally put him in touch with emergency services at the Air Force base in Germany, and they were able to rescue the unconscious soldier, who had experience a cardiac event, saving his life.
• A Mundelein, Ill, telecommunicator took a call from a Spanish-speaking caller who reported her three-year old daughter had been kidnapped. The telecomunicator's bilingual abilities were put to use, as she conversed with the frantic caller in Spanish, obtaining the vehicle make and only one number of the offender's license plate. With her quick thinking, devotion and knowledge, the telecommunicator was able to jumpstart the investigation process and quickly identified potential suspects. Less than 48 hours later, the child was returned safely and the kidnapper was in custody.

"Our country's telecommunicators are the critical first line of response to any emergency situation. Their reactions, experience and patience can literally be the difference between a life saved or lost," said Tom Axbey, CEO of Rave Mobile Safety. "They work under the most stressful situations and their demeanor is paramount when trying to calm a caller who is likely panicked. We highly encourage all citizens to take a moment and read about the various ways in which telecommunicators selflessly go above and beyond to help strangers they will probably never know."

Smart911 allows citizens to create a Safety Profile online for their household that includes information they want 9-1-1 and response teams to have during an emergency. When a citizen makes an emergency call, their Safety Profile is automatically displayed to the 9-1-1 call taker, allowing them to send the right response teams to the right location with the right information. Fire crews can be aware of such things as how many people live at a home and the location of bedrooms. EMS can know about specific conditions for fast, precise medical treatment. And because profiles can contain photos, in the event of a missing child, police can gain an advantage, receiving critical information in seconds versus hours.

Introduced nearly three years ago by Rave Mobile Safety, the most trusted software partner for campus and public safety, Smart911 has been adopted in 33 states and more than 450 municipalities. It has been credited with positively impacting emergency situations across the U.S., including a missing child case in Arkansas, victims of heart attack and Epilepsy in Nashville, a domestic disturbance in DuPage County (Ill.) and more.

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 Rave Panic Button, Rave Alert, Rave Guardian, Eyewitness, Smart911, Smart911 Connect and SmartPrepare enables millions to feel safe, secure and connected. Rave Mobile Safety is headquartered in Framingham, MA. For more information, please visit http://www.ravemobilesafety.com.

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

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SOURCE Rave Mobile Safety