Atlanta's E911 service enhanced

By Angel K. Brooks

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Two new services for the Atlanta Police Department's E911 Communications Unit were announced Thursday: The Smart911 system and the Everbridge emergency and incident notification system.

“These improvements give us the ability to communicate with citizens on a real-time basis,” Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said in a news release. “Through this exchange of information, we will be able to better serve the public and ultimately save more lives.”

The Smart911 system allows residents to create a “household safety profile” with information 911 call takers and dispatchers can relay to police, firefighters and EMTs responding to emergencies.

Residents can provide whatever information on their households that they choose to share, including names, ages, photos, medical conditions, pets and household layouts. Free profiles can be created at www.smart911.com.

“Every second counts, and the more information we have, the more effective we’ll be when we arrive on scene,” Atlanta Fire Rescue Department Chief Kelvin Cochran in the news release.

Reed told Channel 2 Action News that the information is protected and can't be accessed unless a 911 call is made.

"We understand there are privacy concerns, that's why it's entirely voluntary," he said.

The Everbridge emergency and incident notification system will give officials the ability to deliver targeted, time-sensitive public safety alerts through automated telephone calls, texts, emails and more. Residents can set their notification preferences on a citizen alert page at the atlantapd.org website.

“These improvements to our world-class E911 Center will help us better serve the citizens of Atlanta,” Atlanta Police Chief George Turner said.

City officials said the programs will be paid for out of the general fund, so there will be no additional cost to taxpayers, Channel 2 said.