Imagine that you’re jogging down a trail and you trip on a rock. You’ve twisted your ankle, and there’s nobody around. So you call 911, but the dispatchers don’t know where you are and neither do you. Well, you’re in luck.
Orange County has implemented a new form of emergency communications technology that allows residents to make video calls to first responders. That means people in need can not only describe their emergencies, but also show them — helping responders to identify locations and assess more precisely the level of danger someone may face.
This technology is the first of its kind in Central Florida and has the potential to save lives in a new and innovative way.
There are many different scenarios in which the 911 video software may be useful, Kimberly Stewart-Horan, Division Chief of Communications for Orange County Fire Rescue, said.