NEW YORK, April 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- RapidSOS announced a partnership with the MedicAlert Foundation to send life-saving member data to 9-1-1 to improve emergency response nationwide. Dispatchers and first responders will now have direct access to health and demographic information for MedicAlert members during 9-1-1 calls.
MedicAlert serves as a critical lifeline for many vulnerable populations including those with autism, Alzheimer's, dementia, diabetes, hypertension, and allergies. During an emergency, MedicAlert will transmit emergency information, such as demographic and important medical information selected by members on their MedicAlert IDs, to 9-1-1 telecommunicators through RapidSOS, resulting in expedited medical care for millions of patients.
"The Emergency profiles of our members include critical health and identification information that can make all the difference during an emergency. Our partnership with RapidSOS will put MedicAlert member data directly in the hands of 911 telecommunicators and first responders during the critical moments of emergency response," said Josefina Jervis, President and COO of MedicAlert. "MedicAlert pioneered the concept of medical identification over 60 years ago and our ability to ensure our members are protected in their moments of need remains our north star. This is why we are excited to partner with RapidSOS on a solution that will transform outcomes for millions of Americans facing emergencies every day."
MedicAlert Data in the Hands of Emergency Services
Medical and other individual information during an emergency contributes to faster, better-prepared emergency response. This partnership with MedicAlert will allow every public safety agency nationwide to access emergency information for millions of MedicAlert members during emergencies.
MedicAlert Emergency profiles include a variety of medical identifying and demographic information that can have a lifesaving impact when communicated promptly to first responders. MedicAlert also offers the ability to notify emergency contacts during members' emergencies, giving peace of mind to members and family alike.
"For decades our nation's 911 professionals have had to respond to emergencies with no data beyond a voice-only connection. This solution with MedicAlert is a milestone for emergency response nationwide as we make lifesaving medical information available to first responders," says Michael Martin, CEO of RapidSOS. "It is an honor to partner with a groundbreaking organization like MedicAlert on this breakthrough for better informed emergency response."
Access for Any Public Safety Agency Nationwide
The nation's 50-year-old legacy 911 infrastructure was designed for landlines and provides little data to first responders besides a voice-only connection. RapidSOS allows public safety agencies to access life-saving emergency data from supplemental sources at no cost through the RapidSOS Clearinghouse. MedicAlert will join organizations including Apple, Google, and Uber sharing emergency data through the RapidSOS platform.
When 911 receives a call from a number associated with a MedicAlert ID, the telecommunicator will be able to view the member's profile data. Telecommunicators will also be able to query additional MedicAlert IDs to respond to emergencies where a MedicAlert member is involved. This data will be available through the RapidSOS Clearinghouse starting in May.
Any public safety agency can get access to the RapidSOS Clearinghouse through RapidLite, a secure web-based tool, or an integration with their existing software. Over 3,000 agencies serving over 240 million people currently have access to data through the RapidSOS Clearinghouse.
Authorized agencies interested in gaining access can visit rapidsos.com/ng911clearinghouse to learn more.
About RapidSOS
Partnering with Internet of Things (IoT) companies and the public safety community, RapidSOS provides a rich data link to public safety via the RapidSOS Clearinghouse – sending life-saving data to aid in emergency response. RapidSOS implements best-in-class security practices including end-to-end encryption for data in the Clearinghouse and an information security management program developed with IBM that has achieved ISO 27001 compliance, a rigorous and globally-recognized cybersecurity certification. The RapidSOS Clearinghouse is a free service to public safety, and is integrated with all major vendors of 911 call-taking, dispatching and mapping software.
Learn more about RapidSOS: www.rapidsos.com.
About MedicAlert
MedicAlert International Foundation is a nonprofit, membership organization with a mission to save and protect lives by sharing information during our members' moments of need. We provide internationally recognized medical IDs, paired with 24/7 life-saving services. MedicAlert offers peace of mind and protection for some of the most vulnerable populations including those with conditions such as Alzheimer's, dementia, allergies, autism, blood disorders, epilepsy, heart disease or diabetes and offers a standardized tool for first responders to help improve their care and results. MedicAlert was the first to establish the idea of medical identification over 60 years ago and remains a life-saving service for millions of people who face an emergency every day.
Learn more about MedicAlert: www.medicalert.org.
