SunComm Starts Smart911 Program in Yakima County
If you have someone with special needs in your home SunComm, the 9-1-1 and dispatch center has started a new program called Smart911. The free subscription based service allows people to give more helpful information to a 9-1-1 call taker that would help authorities deal with a person who has special needs. Local officials say that's the goal of the program to give first responders more information before they arrive at the scene. A press release from SunComm says "a household subscribing to Smart911 can add this information in a secure and protected application that would then show up to the call taker, who then can provide that information to first responders so they are aware of those special circumstances." Officials say it can also be used to provide more information that could benefit first responders alerting them to pets, gate and door codes that could make the response safer and faster.
Smart911 brings SunComm into compliance with the Travis Alert Act, which was introduced into legislation by 14th District State Representative Gina Mosbrucker.
Smart011 isn't just in Yakima. The program is nationwide and available in 40 states and 1,500 communities. You can check out the information and sign up at yakima911.org.
Smart911 is starting at the same time as another program launched by the Yakima Police Department. It's called Project Guardian and if you have a person with special needs in your home you'll want to be part of the program.
When someone enrolls in the program, officers obtain their basic information, a current digital photograph, family emergency contact information, and other information that might help officers when encountering the individual. Once registered, you will be mailed a sticker and static cling to display in your home and vehicle window to alert officers of a potential person with special needs.
Contact the Yakima Police Department at 575-6200 for more information.