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Blair Co. Emergency Management Urges Community to Sign Up for 'Smart911'

The “Take Control, Let Us Know” campaign allows individuals to share critical medical information for more informed emergency response and allows important COVID-19 Information to be shared.

“As the coronavirus continues to be a major public health concern, we are doing everything we can to prepare, respond, and mitigate risk to those in our community who need assistance,” said Mark Taylor, Blair County Director of Public Safety on Feb. 3. “We clearly understand there is a lot of COVID information being disseminated at the national and state level that may not be reaching all our residents.”

“We have also heard from many of our citizens that they need more information on how to protect themselves and keep updated on the ever changing COVID facts regarding safety measures, testing and vaccination,” Taylor said.

To help address these concerns, Blair County is strongly encouraging the community to sign up for the “Smart911” national safety profile registry, a free service to all Blair County residents that allows individuals and families to provide critical medical and other important information to 9-1-1 and Emergency Management.

Smart911 also allows individuals to sign up for alerts from Blair County officials to receive reliable information about the changing coronavirus situation.

Individuals who sign up will also receive tailored alerts based on their specific needs and geographic location. With enhanced coronavirus awareness, individuals have vital information to take proper precautions.

“The information provided in a Smart911 Safety Profile enables us to know who is at the greatest risk in our community. We can provide individuals with critical updates based on their location and health history,” Taylor said. “Ultimately, Smart911 gives our community the chance to be proactive, and lets us know who requires our services.”

Smart911

Individuals can create a Smart911 Safety Profile for their household at http://www.smart911.com or on the Smart911 app that provides critical medical information for those who may be at higher risk of developing a serious COVID-19 illness.

Individuals can also complete profiles for their parents, grandparents and others who don’t have access to the technology for completing their own.

As identified by the CDC, the vulnerable population includes older adults, and those with a history of chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, respiratory conditions, and compromised immune systems.

When an individual calls 9-1-1, their Smart911 Safety Profile is automatically displayed, allowing our public safety agencies to send emergency response teams to the right location with enhanced medical data.

“Members of our community are looking for ways to improve the safety of their families, friends and neighbors as the coronavirus pandemic continues,” Taylor said.

“By signing up for Smart911, individuals can help first responders get the key information they need about every person who may need assistance, not only during this outbreak, but during any emergency,” Taylor said. “It also gives them a new method for receiving timely COVID-19 information relative to their safety and wellbeing.”

How to sign up

To sign up, visit http://www.smart911.com or download the Smart911 app in the Apple Store or Google Play.

For more information or assistance please e-mail Cris Fredrickson, Blair County’s Smart 911 program manager at cfredrickson@blairco.org.

 

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