GREENWOOD (KFSM)-- The Sebastian County Sheriff's Office wants you to know about a free service that could help authorities in emergency situations. It’s called Smart911.
“Smart911 is a system in which individuals or citizens can actually sign up information about themselves to help law enforcement or emergency services, whether fire or ambulance to quickly and more effectively respond,” Sheriff Bill Hollenbeck said.
The sheriff's office set up a command post at the Greenwood Courthouse Wednesday (August 26) morning. Then they moved to the Walmart on Liberty Drive through the afternoon.
Amber Tafoya and her husband have three daughters, ages ten, eight and one. Their family decided to register.
“You never know what's gonna happen,” Tayoya said. “There could be an emergency anywhere you're at, and you always need that resource for somebody to come get you or something of that nature.”
The service allows you to register your address, the number of people in your family and if any of them have any medical issues. You can also register your pets and vehicles.
“If we're responding to a possible burglary in progress, we now know what type of vehicles will be there by citizen's input signing up for Smart911,” Sheriff Hollenbeck said.
Ultimately, first responders will be able to pull up your profile in emergencies.
“If a firefighter at 2 o'clock in the morning responds to a fire, then of course even before he gets there, he's gonna know how many parents and how many children he has to count on before he has to go in and try to rescue somebody,” Sheriff Hollenbeck said.
The service is available statewide. You can sign up at www.smart911.com.