California’s public safety landscape is one of the most complex in the nation. From devastating wildfires and earthquakes to high-density urban emergencies and large-scale public events, agencies across the state face an extraordinary range of threats—all within an expansive geography of over 163,000 square miles.
In 2024, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) emphasized that interoperability and real-time data sharing are no longer aspirational goals for the state—they are foundational requirements for a modern emergency response infrastructure. This recognition has fueled a statewide focus on solutions that connect emergency teams across jurisdictions, platforms, and disciplines.
California’s transition to Next Generation 911 is not just happening inside Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs)—it's now reaching the field. To help bring a vision of shared data across all public safety entities to life, Cal OES selected RapidDeploy’s Lightning Mobile App as a technology to help support California’s interoperability and real-time data sharing strategy. Lightning, powered by RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping platform, delivers mission-critical data directly to first responders’ smartphones and tablets, enabling faster, more informed decisions when seconds matter most. With statewide access now available, California PSAPs can equip their field responders with Lightning—providing the same data available in the PSAP to the front lines to enhance officer safety, communication, and situational awareness.
Lightning offers precise caller location, real-time tracking of responder positions, incident data, and modern communication tools in a single, easy-to-use app and is designed for law enforcement, fire, EMS, and emergency management teams statewide.
California Police Sergeant Steven Puryear from the Reedley Police Department emphasized the app’s immediate usability:
“I didn’t even have to teach my officers how to use the Lightning Mobile App. They figured it out on their own with little to no help. I’m not the most tech-savvy person, but this solution is incredibly user-friendly, and I appreciate that it keeps me logged in and ready to go at all times.” - Sergeant Steven Puryear, Special Response Team, Reedley Police Department, California
This low barrier to entry translates directly into immediate operational benefits—and can help save critical seconds when lives are on the line. Agencies don’t need to invest in extensive training or onboarding—teams can activate and benefit from Lightning immediately.
When someone dials 911, they’re not just requesting assistance—they’re reaching out in a moment of fear, urgency, or crisis. And in over 80% of cases, that call comes from a mobile device, not a landline. The ability to locate the caller precisely—especially when they can’t articulate where they are—is a powerful advantage of modern public safety technology.
That’s where Lightning can make a huge impact. Built to extend Next Generation 911 capabilities into the field, the Lightning Mobile App empowers California’s first responders with real-time caller location, live visual context, and immediate proximity alerts—right in the palm of their hands.
“We had a 911 call come in for a domestic violence incident at a large business. Dispatch couldn’t specify exactly where the caller was located, but one of my officers opened the Lightning Mobile App and pinpointed her location instantly. It saved us valuable time and made the search straightforward.”
- Sergeant Steven Puryear, Reedley Police Department
Together, Lightning helps ensure that callers in crisis can be located, understood, and protected—faster and more effectively than ever before. Download our caller safety guide to learn more.
The benefits of shared data goes far beyond pinpointing a caller’s location. Lightning’s precise location capabilities can increase situational awareness, allowing officers to see one another’s positions on the map in real time, giving them a shared, dynamic view of the unfolding incident. This kind of shared visibility turns situational awareness into real-time collaboration—enabling coordinated action without the noise of traditional communication gaps. Sergeant Steven Puryear, Reedley Police Department, recalled an incident where “during a stolen car call, we used the app’s AVL feature to coordinate seamlessly in the field. Without needing to rely on constant radio communication, we split up based on our mapped locations and quickly tracked down the car. The app made teamwork effortless.”
By showing responder locations, caller locations, and incident data all on one screen, Lightning creates a live operational map that helps responders make smarter split-second decisions. Officers can reroute based on unfolding activity, provide backup to nearby units, and avoid overlap or missed coverage—all without needing to check in manually. This level of situational awareness is especially critical in high-stakes, fast-moving incidents like pursuits, large event coverage, or natural disaster response. And because Lightning integrates seamlessly with Radius Mapping, responders are always working from the most current, complete picture—together, not in silos.
In high-risk and high-uncertainty situations, visibility into responder locations and access to real-time information can mean the difference between control and chaos—or safety and vulnerability, for officers, responders, and citizens.
Lightning empowers teams with real-time responder tracking, dynamic incident views, and instant alerts when emergencies occur nearby. With these tools, command staff and on-the-ground units can quickly assess risk, adjust response strategies, and provide immediate backup when an officer is at risk. Sergeant Steven Puryear, Reedley Police Department, shared this recent experience with Lightning:
“On a drive-by call, I used the Lightning Mobile app to check one of my officer’s locations and realized he was in a vulnerable position, alone. The app allowed me to immediately send backup and adjust his location to a safer spot. That kind of real-time awareness has made a huge difference in how we ensure officer safety.”
NG911-enabled tools like Lightning help eliminate safety gaps by extending authoritative mapping data and indoor and outdoor floor plans directly to field responders.
Lightning also integrates with RapidVideo and CCTV feeds, offering situational context before a responder even steps on scene—vital during high-risk calls such as active threats, domestic violence, or unknown hazards.
Lightning is part of a broader vision—one that puts shared data at the core of California’s emergency response strategy.
Available to all Radius Mapping users, ECC Messaging enables real-time, multi-agency chat across Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs). Whether coordinating during a natural disaster, multi-jurisdictional pursuit, or large public event, ECC Messaging ensures teams across regions can share information instantly and clearly—cutting down on miscommunication and increasing operational alignment.
Another data sharing tool, Exchange Link, integrates Rave Mobile Safety’s Rave Link with RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping, allowing agencies to securely share CAD incident data, unit locations, and resource requests in real time—directly through a unified interface. With a customizable rules engine, agencies can control what information is shared, when, and with whom.
Together, ECC Messaging and Exchange Link align with California’s Data Information Sharing Initiative (CAL DIS) and Next Generation 911 (NG911) standards, building the state’s foundation for a more connected, resilient emergency response system.
California’s public safety agencies operate in one of the most demanding emergency response environments in the country. From active wildfires and devastating earthquakes to densely populated urban incidents and cross-jurisdictional pursuits, responders must act fast—and act together.
That’s why Cal OES has made interoperability and shared data cornerstones of its CAL DIS initiative. The Lightning Mobile App is a powerful extension of that vision—bringing real-time, actionable intelligence directly into the hands of field responders and bridging the data gap between ECCs and the front lines.
With caller and responder location, live video streams, indoor maps, interagency chat, and incident boards all accessible in one intuitive interface, Lightning simplifies the way data moves and is shared in emergencies. It helps agencies work smarter, coordinate faster, and keep both responders and the public safer.
As Sergeant Steven Puryear of the Reedley Police Department puts it:
“The Lightning Mobile App has been a game-changer for our team. It streamlines our workflows, improves communication, and gives us tools to respond smarter and faster. It’s a solid app that’s already made an impact in the field.”
From remote regions to crowded cities, Lightning helps to enable a new standard of shared situational awareness that aligns with NG911 goals and supports a long-term interoperability strategy.
When emergencies arise, 911 telecommunicators are often the first point of contact in the most critical moments—the calm voice amid chaos, offering steady support through the unthinkable. During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we celebrate these incredible professionals whose quick thinking, dedication, and compassion save lives.
At RapidDeploy, it’s our mission to improve public safety with tools and technology to reduce response times and increase situational awareness. But that mission is only made possible by the people who answer the calls for help. That’s why, each quarter, we present the RapidDeploy Superstar Award—an honor given to telecommunicators who go above and beyond in leveraging RapidDeploy’s NG911 technology to protect their communities.
As part of this year’s celebration, we’ve created a video compilation honoring our Superstar recipients. These aren’t just stories—they’re moments that have changed lives. And today, during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we’re sharing the people behind those moments with you.
Watch the full compilation video to hear these stories come to life and celebrate the extraordinary telecommunicators behind them.
When a man stranded on a tiny island near the U.S.-Canada border called 911, his call was misrouted to the Ontario Provincial Police. Attempts to transfer the call back to the Minnesota State Patrol failed—no location data, no caller information, and no time to waste.
Enter Radio Command Officers (RCOs) Justin Armstrong, J.P. Lundell, Nick Selness, and Jordan Weidenhaft.
Using only the man’s phone number, the Minnesota State Patrol telecommunicators pulled up Radius Mapping and identified his exact coordinates. By pinpointing his location amongst hundreds of islands, the RCOs coordinated a rescue with local teams, leading to a successful recovery.
“Public safety is often defined by moments of incredible pressure,” said RapidDeploy Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Todd Komanetsky, who presented the team with the RapidDeploy Superstar Award. “These telecommunicators took action. They helped save a life.”
To read the full story behind this cross-border rescue, click here to read the blog.
From a cross-jurisdictional manhunt to a classroom lockdown and a medical emergency on Lake Hartwell in South Carolina, Derek Kennedy, Zachary McMillion, and Kacey Rogers, of the Anderson County 911 Communication Center proved that telecommunicators must be ready for anything.
In one incident, Zachary used RapidDeploy’s ‘Additional Data’ feature to uncover personal details regarding a “Be On the Lookout” fugitive, which led him to use Radius Mapping’s RapidLocate feature to make contact with and determine the suspect’s location. In another incident, Zachary and Derek assisted students during a school lockdown using live text and image-sharing capabilities. Lastly, when a transferred call came into the Anderson County 911 center with no data attached to the call, RCO Kacey Rogers used RapidDeploy’s location accuracy to pinpoint the location of a caller who had experienced a medical emergency while boating, and then helped to coordinate a water rescue of that caller.
These three recipients were not only honored with the RapidDeploySuperstar Award, but they also were recognized with the 2024 Crime Stoppers Award—a testament to the life-saving power of quick thinking and technology.
You can read the full story in our press release and learn more about their incredible efforts.
A 911 call plotted on RapidDeploy’s Radius map but never rang through on the line. When the telecommunicator called the dropped call back, there was no response. Many would have marked it down and moved on. But Ashley Willis, a telecommunicator with the Indialantic Police Department in Florida, trusted her instinct to follow up further on the missed call.
Using Radius Mapping, Ashley pinpointed the exact location of the dropped call and sent officers to investigate. Law enforcement arrived to find a pregnant woman in immediate danger—a victim of domestic abuse.
Ashley’s quick reaction and refusal to let the silence speak for itself helped save a life that day.
“Ashley demonstrated extraordinary dedication and quick action,” said RapidDeploy Co-Founder Steve Raucher. “We’re proud to honor her with the Superstar Award.”
You can read the full story in our press release for more details about Ashley’s incredible story.
On August 8, 2023, one of the worst wildfires in U.S. history engulfed Maui, Hawaii. As flames spread and citizens fled for safety, the Maui County 911 Communications Center faced nearly triple their usual call volume.
Amid the overwhelming chaos, the Maui team utilized RapidDeploy’s cloud-native platform to see, monitor, and manage real-time emergency responses. From routing ambulances to evacuating neighborhoods, their composure helped save countless lives.
RapidDeploy recognized the entire team at the Maui County 911 Communications Center with the RapidDeploy Superstar Award—a first in the award's history—for their technological acumen and unshakable unity in the face of disaster.
To learn more about their extraordinary response during the Maui wildfires, read the full press release here.
A 911 call came through to Derrik Gregg, Communications Supervisor at the Scottsdale Police Department in Arizona. The voice said quickly she would call right back. Then she hung up. No details.
Derrik Gregg strongly felt something wasn’t right. Rather than wait for more information, Derrik took immediate action—leveraging RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping breadcrumbs feature to track the call on his map and recognized the caller was in motion. He then leveraged RapidDeploy’s platform to tap into additional data, such as the mobile device’s movement history and available contact details stored in the caller’s device, to uncover situational insights. Derrik sent officers to track down the moving vehicle.
Derrik’s insights and follow through led him to discover that the caller had been involved in a domestic violence hit and run incident. After running her over, the caller had been kidnapped, and was transported away from her original location against her will.
Thanks to his fast thinking and strategic use of the platform’s data tools, law enforcement successfully intercepted and ensured the victim’s safety. Derrik’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the right combination of instinct and actionable intelligence can mean the difference between danger and rescue.
For a deeper look into Derrik’s life-saving response, read the full press release here.
Some calls don’t come with sound.
That was the case when Meghan Gonzalez of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office received a text-to-911 message from someone who couldn’t speak.
Meghan initiated a two-way text conversation, used Radius Mapping to track the caller’s location and movements, and quickly confirmed the terrifying truth: a kidnapping was in progress, and the woman was being transported in the trunk of a car.
Meghan’s coordination of first responders to the moving vehicle led to a swift recovery of the victim and apprehension of the suspect. Meghan’s ability to remain calm, engaged, and resourceful under pressure helped save a life—and brought a predator to justice.
To read the full account of Meghan’s heroic response, view the press release here.
A panicked woman called 911 from a boat in a Florida bay. Her husband had fallen overboard and rough water had swept him away. The boat engine had stalled; the weather was treacherous, time was slipping away, and the caller could no longer see her husband in the water. Heather Mayo, a telecommunicator with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, sprang into action.
She sent the caller a link to RapidVideo, allowing Heather to see exactly what the caller saw. Using video and location sharing, she walked the woman through restarting the boat engine and navigating the bay to locate her husband in the water and pull him to safety.
He was rescued just in time.
Heather didn’t just coordinate a rescue—she became part of it. And her actions earned her the first-ever RapidDeploy Superstar Award.
You can read the full blog here to learn more about Heather’s remarkable rescue call.
Every one of these stories shows what it means to be a telecommunicator: To act fast. To stay steady. To care deeply. To work behind the scenes—yet be the center of every emergency.
These heroes may not always wear uniforms, but they wear headsets—and they are just as vital, just as brave, and just as worthy of recognition as anyone on the scene.
So this week, we honor all of you: The ones who answer the call, guide the rescue, calm the fear, and help ensure no one faces an emergency alone. Thank you, from all of us at RapidDeploy. Thank you for using your tools and resources with excellence. For showing up, shift after shift. And for reminding us why we do what we do.
Know a telecommunicator who’s gone above and beyond? Share their save story—we’d love to hear it.
Happy National Telecommunicators Week.
At RapidDeploy, a Motorola Solutions Company, interns are empowered with real responsibilities, unparalleled learning opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on public safety technology and every day citizens’ lives. Whether you’re interested in marketing, sales, engineering, or operations, being an intern offers an immersive experience where every task or project aligns with our powerful mission: to help save lives by reducing emergency response times.
Here’s a glimpse into what it’s like to be part of the RapidDeploy team from the perspectives of our past and present interns.
Interns at RapidDeploy step into roles that stretch their skills but also offer invaluable real-world experience.
Catie (Video Production Intern, Fall 2019):
As a Video Production Intern on the marketing team, Catie created the founders’ origin story video, which remains on our website today. Her responsibilities extended across social media, campaign planning, and even setting up the new office. “It was a fast-paced environment, and I loved being trusted with important projects. I learned that I could trust my instincts and take on meaningful work.” She later joined the marketing team full-time and now serves as a Marketing Manager.
Jacob (Partnerships, Marketing & Sales Operations Intern, Fall 2022):
Jacob’s internship spanned three departments—Partnerships, Marketing, and Sales Operations—where he played a crucial role in organizing partnerships, event planning, and managing HubSpot, our company’s customer relationship management (CRM) tool. “The internship emphasized growth just as much as output, allowing me to evolve as a professional.” He now works full-time in Sales Operations at RapidDeploy.
Stefan (Power BI & Data Visualization Intern, Summer 2022):
As a part of the Eclipse Analytics product team, Stefan assisted Power BI Engineers with report building and onboarding new public safety agencies. “The entire process taught me so much and gave me a lot of personal satisfaction knowing that we had helped another county or state save lives.”
Naledi (Quality Assurance Engineering Intern, Fall 2022):
Naledi worked on testing the Radius Mapping platform and later expanded to testing the Lightning Mobile app. “I had the opportunity to contribute to key platform developments, and I take pride in knowing I helped shape what Radius v5 is today.”
Lauren (Marketing Intern, Summer and Fall 2024, Spring 2025):
Lauren’s role in marketing has included managing social media, event planning, and email marketing. “My favorite project so far was contributing to the APCO Scavenger Hunt, which helped us make connections with over 90 new people for our prospecting efforts. It was amazing to see my work deliver real results.”
RapidDeploy’s mission and culture stood out to all our interns.
Catie: "I wanted to do work that matters, and RapidDeploy’s mission to transform public safety made it an easy decision. What stood out was how the company fosters a strong sense of community, like renting a campground for team bonding. It showed me the importance of our mission and made RapidDeploy a truly special place to grow."
Jacob: “The hybrid work environment and growth opportunities were a huge draw, but what sealed the deal was RapidDeploy’s focus on professional development. You will not find a more supportive environment that will push you to learn and be the best professional version of yourself.”
Stefan: “I wanted to transition into the IT sector, and the upskilling possibilities RapidDeploy offered made it an easy choice.”
Interns at RapidDeploy leave with more than just technical skills—they gain confidence and a sense of purpose, positioning themselves for future success in their chosen fields.
Catie: “The most valuable thing I learned was to trust myself. Being empowered to take the lead on projects like the company’s origin story video gave me the confidence to pursue creative work.”
Jacob: “I learned the importance of being coachable and comfortable with making mistakes. Growth comes from those learning moments, and the mentors here supported me every step of the way.”
Naledi: “I learned how to be a reliable teammate and gained a deeper understanding of teamwork and collaboration.”
Mentorship at RapidDeploy is more than guidance—it’s a partnership in growth, networking, and building a strong foundation for the future.
Stefan: “I had incredible mentors who helped me transition into a professional setting and ensured I was always set up for success.”
Jacob: “My mentors were the crown jewel of my internship. They championed my growth and encouraged me to take on challenges I didn’t think I could handle.”
Lauren: “Weekly meetings with our VP of Marketing and regular check-ins with my team ensured I was aligned with goals and always supported.”
Wondering if RapidDeploy is the right place to kick-start your career? Our interns have one piece of advice: go for it, take the leap!
Catie: “Apply! RapidDeploy will challenge and support you in equal measure. You’ll grow in ways you didn’t think possible.”
Jacob: “Stop hesitating—this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity. You’ll learn more here in a few months than you could anywhere else.”
Naledi: “If you want to make an impact in the world but don’t know how, this is the company for you.”
For many interns, RapidDeploy becomes more than a steppingstone—it’s the start of a fulfilling career.
Catie: After moving to California post-internship, she returned to RapidDeploy as Marketing Manager, inspired by the company’s growth and vision. Her internship taught her to take ownership of projects and adapt quickly, skills that proved essential in her full-time role.
Jacob: Now approaching his one-year anniversary as a full-time employee, Jacob continues to grow in Sales Operations, driving impactful initiatives across departments. The diverse experiences during his internship prepared him to tackle challenges with confidence and work collaboratively across teams.
Stefan: He has had the opportunity to work on many different platforms and learn new skills that will benefit him anywhere he goes in his career. Stefan’s career has evolved so much and he now calls RapidDeploy his “second home.”
At RapidDeploy, we’re not just offering internships; we’re building the next generation of innovators in public safety. Our program is designed to empower, challenge, and inspire you to make a difference—not just for our company but for communities in which we serve.
If you’re ready to work on meaningful projects, learn from incredible mentors, and make an impact, we encourage you to apply today.
At RapidDeploy, our mission has always been clear: to help save lives by reducing response times. As we step into the second quarter of 2025, that commitment remains stronger than ever. We’re expanding our NG911 footprint to new states, bringing next generation emergency response solutions to more agencies, and we’re also entering an exciting new chapter as part of Motorola Solutions.
RapidDeploy’s cloud-native solutions are helping to improve emergency response across the country. This year, we’ve seen incredible momentum, securing key contracts across the state of Florida and expanding into public safety agencies across Indiana, Illinois, Colorado, and Ohio.
RapidDeploy now serves 23 counties in Florida with an additional five Florida agencies that have recently adopted RapidDeploy’s NG911 Bundle, which includes Radius Mapping and Eclipse Analytics, including:
New partnerships in Morgan County, Indiana, McHenry County, Illinois, Adams County, Colorado, and Stark County, Ohio, highlight how more agencies are turning to RapidDeploy to enhance situational awareness and drive smarter, faster decision-making in the field.
Zachary Worth, Director at Morgan County Public Safety Dispatch/911, echoed this sentiment:
"Morgan County, Indiana is excited to implement Radius Mapping to improve the accuracy and efficiency of our emergency response efforts. This technology will enhance how we serve our residents and first responders."
This momentum is a reflection of the growing demand for cloud-native, data-driven, and interoperable emergency response solutions that truly make a difference.
Beyond expanding our customer base, RapidDeploy has been recognized as a leader in public safety technology. In late 2024, RapidDeploy was featured on Good Morning America, showcasing how our technology is helping to transform emergency response. Additionally, we earned double honors in 2025:
These accolades reinforce our impact on public safety and the strength of our mission-driven culture.
Perhaps the most exciting news of the year is our acquisition by Motorola Solutions—a move that will help to accelerate innovation in 911 technology.
RapidDeploy’s cloud-native innovations—Radius Mapping, Lightning, and Eclipse Analytics—will now be part of Motorola Solutions’ extensive public safety ecosystem.
As part of Motorola Solutions, RapidDeploy's technologies can now help to:
As Travis Boettcher, Motorola Solutions’ VP of Command Center Software Sales, explained:
"When a responder presses the emergency button on their GPS-capable radio, an alert containing their location will appear in both Radius within the PSAP and Lightning in the field. Immediate notification and visibility into responders in distress—this is the future of emergency response."
RapidDeploy was founded with a bold vision: to integrate cutting-edge technology into emergency response in a way that simplifies workflows and improves outcomes. Now, as a part of Motorola Solutions, we are closer than ever to delivering on that vision at an even greater scale.
RapidDeploy’s technology remains CPE-agnostic, meaning it will continue to work seamlessly with any existing systems agencies have in place. But now, it will also benefit from the full power of Motorola Solutions'' infrastructure, AI-driven insights, and next generation telemetry capabilities.
This acquisition is about one thing: making communities safer.
2025 is shaping up to be a defining year for public safety technology. With RapidDeploy’s NG911 expansion and our integration into Motorola Solutions, we’re working to accelerate the future of emergency response.
To all our customers and partners: thank you for being part of this journey. We can’t wait to continue working with you to drive innovation, enhance emergency response, and ultimately, help to save lives.
Stay tuned for more updates as we roll out new capabilities and integrations throughout the year!
Want to hear more about what this means for the future of public safety technology? Watch this live presentation from Eric Vaughn, Chief Revenue Officer at RapidDeploy, as he shares deeper insights into our mission, NG911 expansion, and our exciting new chapter with Motorola Solutions.
Last week, RapidDeploy, a Motorola Solutions Company, had the privilege of attending CALNENA 2025, an event that brought together leaders, innovators, and public safety professionals dedicated to enhancing emergency response. This year’s conference was particularly special for RapidDeploy, as it marked a major milestone in our journey—our first CALNENA as part of Motorola Solutions. From industry-defining presentations to celebrating our team’s achievements, here’s a look back at the key moments that made CALNENA 2025 an event to remember.
Eric Vaughn, RapidDeploy’s Chief Revenue Officer, took the stage to address the future of RapidDeploy under Motorola Solutions. The acquisition represents more than just growth—it’s a commitment to accelerating innovation in public safety.
Eric emphasized RapidDeploy’s dedication to enhancing public safety, and reaffirmed that with this acquisition, we will continue to operate with the same commitment to solving for safer by equipping public safety professionals with the tools they need to improve response times and optimize emergency operations. With Motorola Solutions’ scale and resources, we are now positioned to deliver even more advanced capabilities, including deeper situational awareness, seamless integration of first responder location data, and AI-powered enhancements to 911 operations.
One key takeaway from Eric’s presentation was the commitment to maintaining our partnerships and ensuring that Radius Mapping remains CPE-agnostic while leveraging Motorola’s powerful technology. This acquisition is not about changing who we are—it’s about enhancing what we do best.
A highlight of the event was cheering on Chris Guerrero, RapidDeploy’s Senior Customer Success Manager, as he was sworn in as CALNENA’s new Commercial Vice President.
Chris has been a dedicated advocate for the 911 community, and his election to the CALNENA board is a testament to his leadership and passion for advancing emergency communications.
Chris expressed his enthusiasm for the role, saying,
"It is truly an honor to be elected to the CALNENA board! I’m excited to join such an incredible group of industry leaders and grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from all of you. Your leadership and dedication continue to elevate 911. I look forward to contributing, carrying on the legacy of those who came before us, and working together to drive our industry forward!"
We are thrilled for Chris and the public safety community, and look forward to the impact he will make in this role.
Chris also took the stage alongside Motorola Solutions’ Rave Mobile Safety to present on the future of data interoperability in emergency response. This session focused on how RapidDeploy and Rave Mobile Safety are working together to bridge data-sharing gaps between agencies and ensure critical information reaches the right people at the right time.
The discussion covered how to:
Chris Guerrero and Bill Homer, highlighted how Radius Mapping and Exchange Link work together to provide a more connected, data-driven approach to emergency response. By integrating CAD and AVL data with advanced mapping capabilities, agencies can reduce call transfer times, improve coordination across jurisdictions, and ultimately save lives.
Before the conference officially began, RapidDeploy hosted our annual Topgolf Tournament—a fantastic way to connect with peers in a fun, competitive setting.
This year’s tournament was a huge success, with teams competing for the coveted championship trophy. Special congratulations to Chris Herron from North County Dispatch JPA, this year’s tournament winner. In addition to the championship title, “the most spirited team” was recognized with custom-made glass mugs to celebrate their enthusiasm and sportsmanship.
With CALNENA’s Lights, Camera, Action theme in mind, we created a silent-movie-style recap video capturing all the best moments from the tournament. Watch the full video release:
CALNENA 2025 was an incredible opportunity to connect with public safety professionals, share insights, and celebrate the continued evolution of emergency response technology. This year felt particularly meaningful as we embark on a new chapter with Motorola Solutions, reinforcing our commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that make a real difference in the field.
We’re grateful to everyone who attended, participated in our sessions, and joined us for the Topgolf tournament. We look forward to continuing these important conversations and shaping the future of public safety together.
On February 19, 2025, RapidDeploy had the honor of recognizing four exceptional telecommunicators from the Minnesota State Patrol—Justin Armstrong, J.P. Lundell, Nick Selness, and Jordan Weidenhaft—with the RapidDeploy Superstar Award. This award celebrates their extraordinary dedication, quick thinking, and innovative use of RapidDeploy’s technology in executing a complex, life-saving cross-border rescue.
On September 30, 2024, a distressing 911 call came through from a man stranded on a small island near the U.S.-Canada border. Due to cell tower routing, his call was initially misrouted to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Canada. When the OPP attempted to transfer the call back to the Minnesota State Patrol, the transfer didn’t include any data or information—leaving responders without any location data.
“Ontario tried to transfer the caller a couple times, and it didn’t go through. So, then they just called us directly and they had a rough location based on latitude and longitude, but it was a pretty wide radius and there are several hundred islands in that area,” Jordan Weidenhaft, RCO, Minnesota State Patrol, recalled.
With time running out, the Minnesota State Patrol needed a way to pinpoint the caller’s exact location. That’s when they turned to RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping technology.
The team quickly entered the stranded caller’s phone number into Radius Mapping. Instantly, the system populated his precise latitude and longitude coordinates—providing them with the exact location of the island where he was stranded. This allowed them to relay the details to local rescue teams, ensuring a swift response.
“At one point, we had to just get the phone number, call the guy back, start with the visuals. What do you see? Where’d you come from? You know? And then eventually we got to the point where RapidDeploy was 100% the best backup we could have had,” said Nick Selness, RCO, Minnesota State Patrol.
In a situation where every second mattered, the seamless integration of technology and the telecommunicators’ quick action directly led to saving a life.
During the award presentation, Todd Komanetsky, VP of Partnerships and Strategy at RapidDeploy, highlighted the significance of their efforts:
“Public safety is often defined by moments of incredible pressure—moments where training, technology, and instinct converge to save a life. Instead of waiting for information to trickle in, these telecommunicators took action. They used RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping technology to get precise coordinates and ensure a successful rescue.”
While awards are not what drives these professionals, being recognized for their dedication to saving lives is deeply meaningful.
“Obviously, we’re not in an industry that, you know, gets awards. We’re here to change people’s lives for the better... If you can get a technology like RapidDeploy to get somebody help even seconds faster, minutes faster, especially in a spot where an ambulance isn’t coming very fast, that’s all the world to that person,” reflected Nick Selness, RCO, Minnesota State Patrol.
RapidDeploy’s mission is to help empower first responders with the tools they need to reduce response times and improve situational awareness. The Minnesota State Patrol’s story exemplifies how cloud-native solutions like Radius Mapping can transcend geographic barriers, eliminate delays in response, and ultimately save lives.
Steve Raucher, CEO and co-founder of RapidDeploy, echoed this sentiment in a statement:
“The dedication and ingenuity of the Minnesota State Patrol team in leveraging RapidDeploy’s technology to pinpoint this stranded caller is truly remarkable. Their swift actions exemplify the very reason we do what we do—empowering first responders with the tools they need to make a real difference in emergency situations.”
To truly capture the significance of this rescue, we’ve compiled a special video featuring the award recipients. Watch the video to hear their personal stories as they reflect on the call, the award, and what it means to be recognized for their work. You’ll also see highlights from the award ceremony and get a firsthand look at the lifesaving power of technology and teamwork.
At RapidDeploy, we believe every moment matters in an emergency, and the heroes behind the headset deserve to be celebrated for their lifesaving decisions. The Minnesota State Patrol team’s resourcefulness and commitment to public safety are exactly why we created the RapidDeploy Superstar Award—to honor those who go above and beyond to make a difference.
Know a telecommunicator who deserves recognition? Share your save stories with us and help us shine a light on the incredible professionals who keep our communities safe. Join us in congratulating Justin, J.P., Nick, and Jordan for their outstanding work!
