How to Transform Emergency Response With Technology

Instead of just using AI to write LinkedIn posts, we can use it to help our public safety community save lives. For example, out of 240M calls 911 centers receive annually, ~68% are 'non-emergency' calls. Sounds like the perfect job for AI, doesn't it? Here's some context first… Every year, 911 centers in the US receive ~240M calls. The number of calls has been relatively stable in the last few years, but the number of 'non-emergency' calls - specifically those triggered by security devices is increasing A LOT. For example, Frost & Sullivan estimates that by 2027, 70% of all 911 calls will be triggered by a device, not a 911 call from a human. These 'non-emergency' calls can be: - Security alarm systems (98% of which are false) - People reporting a deer eating their garden - Someone asking for general directions - Person reporting a wallet lost at the mall - Reporting a power outage As the name suggests, these calls are not emergencies and don't require 911 attention. Instead, they waste the time & attention of 911 operators because they cannot decide what IS and what ISN'T a true emergency until they answer the call. If you ask them, 911 operators will tell you that handling these emergencies stretches them thin, leaving less time & attention for REAL emergencies. They may even tell you about a time when first responders were delayed from reacting to a real emergency … ... Because, by law, they were required to answer a non-emergency call first. Now, when you start looking for solutions, you'll most likely ask: - Reduce the # of non-emergency calls - Hire more 911 operators This is almost impossible because 1) the # of non-emergency calls will only go up, and 2) 911 is facing a staffing crisis as hiring is difficult. So, in the last year, RapidSOS realized that deploying AI is the alternative solution, and that's why we've built HARMONY. What it does is simple: 1️⃣ HARMONY answers calls to your non-emergency line. 2️⃣ HARMONY gathers the necessary information by asking questions based on the 911 center's configuration and guidance. 3️⃣ The call is seamlessly transferred to a telecommunicator if escalation is needed (based on local procedures). 4️⃣ Otherwise, HARMONY processes the call from start to finish: capturing the relevant details (where telecommunicators can monitor in real-time) and can even automatically create the Request for Service in CAD. This isn't a hypothetical. We're deploying HARMONY in 911 centers across the country today. So, yes, AI SHOULD AND IS solving big problems, not just to write LinkedIn posts. PS. No AI was not used to write this LinkedIn post :)

There’s a difference between reacting and responding. Most #emergencysystems? They react. Flash some lights, set off a siren, pray someone knows what to do next. But what if the system could respond, not in theory, but in real-time, like a seasoned Marine reading the chaos, moving people not just away from danger but toward safety? That’s exactly what Ernest Williams built with Go To Green. This isn’t a tech demo wrapped in tech speak. It’s a patented, combat-informed, #sensor driven #evacuationsystem that doesn’t wait for you to figure out your exits. It shows you the way out, with green lights that lead to life and red ones that scream danger. And if you're #lawenforcement? It guides you straight to the threat, with flashing reds and blues lighting the path like a mission briefing you can walk through. Williams, a decorated Marine and now founder and CEO of Go To Green, took lessons from battlefields and baked them into tech that schools, cities, and agencies should have had a decade ago. #Realsensors detect gunfire, outdoors and in. Visual cues kick in instantly. Cameras activate and feed into #firstrespondersystems. There’s no “wait and assess.” There’s only move. Fast. Smart. Safe. This week, Go To Green secured a new investment round backed by O'Leary Ventures, yes, that Kevin O'Leary, and Acorn Capital Management, who didn’t just bring cash, they brought strategic heat. And it wasn’t for some flashy deck or hype pitch. It was earned. By installing over 1,050 sensors across Amarillo ISD, lighting up 57 schools, and catching the eye of Pilot Point ISD, who just signed on to outfit their campuses and stadiums. You don’t get that kind of traction if your product’s still “in beta.” You get it when what you’ve built answers a question no one else has solved: How do we make #emergencyresponse as clear, fast, and universal as a traffic light? Go To Green is headquartered in Van Alstyne, Texas, because apparently you don’t need to be in Silicon Valley to save lives with code and circuitry. They’re now scaling nationwide, and #schools are just the start. Next stop? #Militarybases, #federalbuildings, #eventvenues. Anywhere a crowd could panic is somewhere Go To Green can lead people out. There’s no valuation posted. No fluff metrics. Just a straight-up mission: guide people out of chaos and give first responders the intel edge. That’s not a tagline. That’s Marine logic with real-world stakes. #Startups #StartupFunding #VentureCapital #GovTech #Security #Infrastructure #EmergencyResponse #Technology #Innovation #TechEcosystem #StartupEcosystem

The traditional approach to accident scene documentation has long been bottlenecked by specialist requirements. For decades, the creation of court-admissible diagrams required accident reconstructionists with specialized training in measurement techniques and complex CAD-based software. This dependency created significant bottlenecks when the specialist is unavailable — extended road closure times, delayed reports, and inconsistent documentation to name a few. How are we changing this paradigm? By capturing accident scenes through drone or cell phone footage, departments can now generate precise 3D models with integrated measurement capabilities in minutes rather than hours. The technology automatically produces 2D ortho maps and simplified sketch views that meet evidentiary standards for court proceedings. Our technology standardizes what was previously a specialist function. Any operator can now capture comprehensive scene data that automatically generates scaled, accurate documentation. The resulting workflow eliminates the measurement and diagramming bottlenecks that have historically delayed accident reporting and investigation processes. And the implications extend beyond efficiency gains. Reduced road closure times enhance public safety by minimizing secondary collision risks. Officer safety improves through decreased exposure to traffic hazards. Documentation quality becomes standardized across departments rather than varying with individual specialist skills. Over 1,000 public safety agencies have implemented this approach, recognizing how technology can enhance documentation quality while dramatically reducing the resource burden of accident scene processing. The evolution towards SkyeBrowse means less traffic, more productivity, and ultimately, cost savings for the city as a whole. As departments continue facing staffing challenges and increasing service demands, technological solutions that maintain quality while reducing specialist dependencies will become increasingly essential to effective operations. #PublicSafety #AccidentDocumentation #InvestigativeTechnology #LawEnforcement #CourtAdmissible

In disaster scenarios, timing can mean the difference between safety and catastrophe. Dr. Dianhong Chen, a researcher at the University of Texas at Arlington, has developed an AI-powered tool that helps emergency managers simulate and optimize real-time evacuation plans. Using traffic flow data, population density, and infrastructure stressors, the system enables tailored strategies for hurricanes, wildfires, and other emergencies. The innovation offers a crucial advantage: moving from generic evacuation orders to dynamic, localized guidance that evolves with the crisis. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, this kind of AI-driven adaptability could be a game-changer for public safety. Smart evacuation isn’t just faster—it’s fairer, safer, and more responsive to real human conditions on the ground. Key Takeaways: - AI is enabling real-time, data-informed evacuation decision-making - The tool accounts for congestion, vulnerable populations, and disaster type - Smarter evacuation planning enhances both speed and equity in crisis response Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eTgHT_XQ

🌍 Harnessing Geospatial Power: Unlocking Emergency Response Potential through Geocoding and Reverse Geocoding📍 What if we could instantly map every damaged building after an earthquake or hurricane? Or quickly locate the nearest shelter during a wildfire? That’s exactly what geocoding and reverse geocoding do in emergency response management. Geocoding turns addresses into precise coordinates, allowing teams to map evacuation routes, resources, or high-risk zones. Reverse geocoding takes coordinates from disaster sites and converts them into readable locations, helping responders know exactly where to act. When every second counts, these tools transform location data into life-saving decisions. How do you use geospatial data to respond faster and smarter? Let's dive deeper into this topic below! 📊 #Geocoding #ReverseGeocoding #EmergencyManagement #DisasterResponse #GIS #LocationIntelligence

It’s 911 call centers turn to be transformed by AI… Emergency communications centers across the U.S. are facing a staffing crisis, but AI might offer a solution. New Orleans is pioneering an AI-powered call triage system that's showing promising results. This innovative tool automatically screens incoming 911 calls, diverting redundant reports and freeing up human operators for critical emergencies. It's estimated to be as effective as having two additional full-time staff members on duty. With 82% of call centers reporting chronic staffing shortages, this technology could be a game-changer. It's not just about efficiency - it's about saving lives by reducing response times. As AI continues to evolve, we may see more applications in emergency services, from real-time language translation to improved call routing. What are your thoughts on AI in emergency services? https://lnkd.in/eVVWvpui 

Wildfires pose a severe threat to landscapes, properties, and lives around the world. As we search for better ways to manage these disasters, technology is stepping up. Descartes Labs' AI-driven platform represents an advancement in detecting and managing wildfires before they become unmanageable. But that’s just the beginning. 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐈 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 >> Unmanned Aerial Firefighting : drones are now being equipped to conduct targeted water drops to extinguish fires efficiently. These drones are managed through UAS Traffic Management systems, ensuring safe and effective operations. >> Enhanced Surveillance and Assessment : Drones equipped with high-definition and thermal cameras provide fire departments with critical information on fire conditions and track the spread in real-time. This technology is crucial for making informed decisions on the ground. >> Enhanced Capabilities: Modern drones are fitted with LiDAR for obstacle avoidance, night vision cameras, and even fire extinguishing tools like rockets and firebombs. These features vastly improve the ability to manage fires in challenging conditions. The integration of AI and drones into wildfire management is changing how we respond to these natural disasters. By enhancing detection capabilities and response strategies, we can protect landscapes, properties, and most importantly, lives. As regions like Australia approach fire season by the end of this year, the question remains: Are we ready to implement these technologies to safeguard our firefighters and communities effectively? 🤔 How can AI and drone technology be further integrated into our emergency response systems? What other technologies should we consider to improve disaster management? #innovation #technology #future #management #startups

Drone as a first responder: In the realm of emergency response, the integration of Autonomous vehicles, particularly drones, is proving to be invaluable. While drone innovation often focuses on its impact on battlefields globally, there exists a critical need for leveraging these technologies in urgent situations. A compelling example from Wimberly, Texas showcases the effectiveness of drones in a recent search and rescue operation. The Hays County Sheriff’s office successfully located and rescued a lost individual with dementia using drones, highlighting the practical application of this technology in real-life scenarios. The proactive approach and creative problem-solving demonstrated by the team resulted in a swift and efficient rescue mission, significantly reducing response time and the need for extensive manpower. This successful operation underscores the immense potential of drones as first responders in critical situations.

🚨 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗔𝗥 𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠 𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗬 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗨𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗘𝗟𝗦𝗘 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: 🔸 Compact 10kW solar+storage systems deployable via helicopter 🔹 30-minute setup requiring minimal technical expertise 🔸 Sufficient power for medical equipment, communications, and water purification 🔹 Unlimited operation without fuel resupply PowerLight Technologies' system demonstrates this approach at scale, with over 200 units deployed during recent hurricane response operations. For emergency managers, these systems solve the critical challenge of power provision when traditional infrastructure and supply chains are compromised. The technology has proven particularly valuable in remote areas where fuel delivery becomes logistically impossible following disasters. Is your emergency preparedness plan still dependent on generators that failed during recent catastrophic events?