In an emergency situation, minutes and even seconds count. This crucial time could mean the difference between life and death.  Residents and visitors now have a way to save precious time when they make a 9-1-1 call.

The service, Smart911, allows  you to provide information about yourself and your family to 9-1-1 prior to an emergency.  By signing up for Smart911, you can customize the information 9-1-1 call centers have about you to enable faster and more effective emergency response by law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services.

The information you submit — called a Safety Profile — is private and secure, and the only time anyone ever sees that information is if you dial 9-1-1. The information is then immediately displayed for the call-taker to help police and fire/rescue respond more quickly and more effectively.

You can sign up for Smart911 online at Smart911.com, and enter the information you want 911 to have in case of an emergency. That information can include family member data, photos, medical conditions, disabilities, an apartment number, mobility limitations, your pets … anything that can help first responders do a better job of helping you in case of emergency. What you submit is up to you.