Cincinnati Emergency Communications Center Encourages Families to Stay Safe with Smart911

As school resumes, the Cincinnati Emergency Communications Center (ECC), urges parents and guardians to create their free Smart911 family profiles to provide vital information in the case of an emergency.

Users create their personal or family profile by downloading the Smart911 App or on the ECC’s website. Profiles can include details such as photos of children, home address, medical notes and emergency contacts.

If any member of the family dials 911 from any available phone number registered to their profile, the information provided will be instantly available to dispatchers to send response teams to the correct location. These details can greatly affect the outcome of any emergency, including:

• A Missing Child: If a child is missing, having a current photo and physical description in the family’s Safety Profile can save valuable time as that information can be sent to officers in the field immediately to begin a search.
• Emergency Call from a Child: A child may know how to dial 911, but they may not always be able to relay the information needed to get help fast. Details such as an address or medical notes on a parent or other family member in need can be included in the Safety Profile so that the dispatcher does not have to rely on the child for information.
• An Incident Walking to or From School: If a child carries a cell phone and needs help while walking to or from school for a medical issue or an accident, the Safety Profile will provide contact information for parents or other emergency contacts who need to be notified.
• An Incident at Home: In the event of a house fire, accident or other emergency at home, responders can be aware of who lives in the house, including pets, and be sure everyone is safe and accounted for when they arrive on scene.

“With students returning back to the classroom this fall, safety is our top priority for all the children, families and staff,” said ECC Director Bill Vedra. “We encourage all households in our community to take advantage of Smart911 in order to help us keep their families and their city safe.”

More information regarding the Smart911 is available: https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/ecc/smart911/

More information regarding how to call 9-1-1 is available: https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/ecc/calling-9-1-1/