Suffolk residents are being asked to use a special county program that officials say could save lives amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Smart911 app provides dispatchers and first responders with powerful capabilities for handling, dispatching and responding to emergency calls. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone is urging residents to sign up for Smart911 amid the coronavirus outbreak. Users create a safety profile that can include phone numbers, addresses, medical conditions, hospital preferences and even pet information. When a 911 call is received and the telephone number is in the national Smart911 database, and the safety profile instantly displays to the dispatcher. That information is relayed to responders so they know how best to approach the emergency. Bellone also says residents can text COVIDSUFFOLK to 67283 for the latest updates on the outbreak.
Suffolk Residents Urged To Use App That Aids 911 Dispatchers & First Responders
Ambulance WILLOWBROOK, ILLINOIS - MARCH 17: An ambulance arrives at the Chateau Nursing and Rehab Center on March 17, 2020 in Willowbrook, Illinois. Earlier today Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that 18 patients and 4 staff members at an Illinois nursing home reported to be the Chateau facility have tested positive for COVID-19. The governor also reported the first death from the virus has been reported in Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (Scott Olson)