Homewood residents have the chance to store pertinent information for themselves and others at their address into a new emergency alert system. The information will help first responders be better prepared on how to give aid in emergencies.
Homewood officials said the new technology is offered by the emergency communication agency Joint South Cook County Dispatch. The village is part of JSCCD which recently was formed by the merger of ECom and Southcom. Homewood had been with ECom for emergency communications.
The new notification service is a combination of Smart911 and Rave Mobile Safety Alerts. Homewood Communications & Engagement Specialist Antonia Steinmiller said there is one signup process to get the services of both. Smart911/Rave replaces Code Red, the emergency notification service formerly offered by ECom.
She and Assistant Village Manager Terence Acquah were present at village events and local meetings during the summer months promoting the new communication services and urging residents to sign up.
Steinmiller notes that residents who were signed up for Code Red emergency notifications will automatically be registered for the new services. However, she and Acquah note that even residents who were on Code Red will benefit from logging into the new system to update their profiles.
At the Homewood Business Association meeting in August, Steinmiller explained the advantages of the new system.
“You can put in pertinent medical information (such as) anyone in your household or business who has special medical needs that first responders would want to have when they arrive at your home or business,” she said, noting that residents’ privacy is protected. “This information is not seen by anyone at the Village of Homewood. It is only seen if you call 911 and first responders are dispatched to your location.”
Examples of key information that help first responders during an emergency are whether someone at the location uses a wheelchair, whether someone is using an external oxygen source, whether the home has pets.
Acquah said the new system also will help residents get precise information about situations that affect their daily lives.
“If there is a water main break, if there is an event and we have to close down the street we will shoot you a message through email or text,” he said. “This is a perfect way to always remain in the loop.”
Steinmiller said in addition to text and email, notices can be sent by phone, but “it’s a robo call. It’s the message read to you. It’s just another way for us to keep you informed.”
To register or to update a profile, visit www.smart911.com.