PALM BEACH POLICE & FIRE DEPARTMENTS IMPLEMENT NEW CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE EMERGENCY RESPONSE - The Palm Beach Police and Fire Departments are proud to announce the introduction of “Prepared Live,” a new technology acquired in partnership with the Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation, that enables callers in the community to text and livestream with Town of Palm Beach 911 Dispatch Center in an emergency. Prepared Live is an innovative software solution that is revolutionizing emergency response capabilities by dramatically improving public safety response time by allowing callers to text and livestream with 911 Dispatch Centers in emergency situations.
After a caller dials 911, the 911 dispatcher may text back a link to Prepared Live that enables the caller to share their location and livestream from their mobile device. By sharing the information, police officers and firefighters can get “eyes-on-the-scene” right away, gain critical insights and deliver swifter and better aid.
How Prepared Live Works:
- Call 911 from a cellphone
- A 911 dispatcher will text caller a Prepared Live link
- Caller clicks on the Prepared Live link and hits “play” to begin Live Streaming
- Callers can then text with the 911 dispatcher and send photos and videos of their situation
The Town’s Police and Fire Departments are excited about sharing this new technology with the community and begin utilizing these safety advances with the public’s assistance and willingness to share critical information with 911 dispatchers via this software.
The Police and Fire Departments understand that callers may feel hesitancy and concerns surrounding privacy and security when clicking on links from unexpected text messages. Toward that end, an educational campaign is being launched in conjunction with local media partners that will explain how Prepared Live works, that the design incorporates the highest standards of data protection, and how the technology is empowering first responders so they can act before they arrive at the scene.
This technology has the potential to save lives and will significantly improve our emergency response capabilities. Being able to access a caller's cellphone camera prior to the arrival of first responders will provide crucial visual context and enable 911 dispatchers and first responders to swiftly assess situations and provide appropriate instructions to callers in distress.
"For the past 18 years, the Foundation has supported the Palm Beach Police and Fire Rescue Departments, helping to equip and empower our first responders to deliver services to the community at the highest level. We are proud to support the implementation of this innovative new technology, which enables them to communicate with callers using a cutting-edge platform designed for handling modern day emergencies," - Tim Moran, Co-founder of the Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation.
USAGE CASE EXAMPLES
REPORT A CRIME IN-PROGRESS WITHOUT INTERVENING
To provide video and location information that can be used as evidence if you observe a crime in progress without intervening in a volatile situation.
SAFELY SPEAK IF YOU CAN'T... USE PREPARED LIVE TO... TEXT WITH 911
In situations where it isn’t safe to speak, use Prepared Live to text with a 911 Dispatcher instead.
IF YOU NEED TO REPORT A MISSING PERSON... USE PREPARED LIVE TO... TEXT A PICTURE
To report a missing person, use Prepared Live to text photos of a loved one to ensure no time is wasted.
TO SHOW INJURIES WHEN IN AN ACCIDENT ... USE PREPARED LIVE
When in an accident, use Prepared Live to show the severity of any injuries before EMTs arrive on-scene.
IF YOU ARE LOST ... USE PREPARED LIVE TO... SHARE LOCATION
When someone is lost, they can use Prepared Live to share their GPS location and livestream their surroundings to help 911 find them faster.
SEE A FIRE... USE PREPARED LIVE TO... STREAM THE FIRE
See a fire, use Prepared Live to livestream the fire, which will help firefighters “size-up" a fire for emergency response!
IF YOU DON’T KNOW HOW TO DO CPR…USE PREPARED LIVE TO... RECEIVE INSTRUCTION
If someone doesn’t know how to administer CPR, they can livestream with a 911 Dispatcher for coaching.
IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY DIAL 911
You may receive a Prepared Live text from a dispatcher to check on you and to find out if you have an emergency. If you do have an emergency, always call back on 911 if it’s safe to do so. If you do not have an emergency, please write back to the dispatcher, and let them know it was accidental.
IF SOMEONE IS HAVING A TIME SENSITIVE MEDICAL ISSUE LIKE A STROKE OR CHEST PAIN…USE PREPARED LIVE TO... DELIVER TIME CRITICAL INFORMATION TO RESPONDERS.
Having a medical emergency, use Prepared Live to give updates about the status of the patient to responding Paramedics and EMTs.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: DO I NEED TO DOWNLOAD AN APP TO USE PREPARED LIVE DURING MY EMERGENCY?
A: No download is required from you before or after the call. Once you click on the shared link, Prepared Live will open in your default web browser. When the emergency situation is resolved, the interface will prevent you from continuing to livestream and instruct you to call 9-1-1 should you need further help.
Q: DOES PREPARED LIVE TAKE DATA FROM MY PHONE?
A: Prepared Live is only able to access media that you share with the 911 dispatcher. It does not access your settings, private data, personal information, or any stored media you don’t share directly with the dispatcher.
Q: DOES PREPARED LIVE TRACK MY LOCATION?
A: Prepared Live can only track your location while a call is active, and if you consent to sharing your location. Your location cannot be tracked after the emergency is resolved.
Q: WHAT IF I DON'T WANT TO LIVESTREAM MY EMERGENCY?
A: You are not obligated to livestream if you don’t want to, and neither will the dispatcher force you to do so. The dispatcher will only request that you do if they believe that doing so will not endanger you or any bystanders.
