The growing importance of data sharing and the breaking down of silos when it comes to public safety is among the rising trends in the world of government technology.

That’s why RapidDeploy teamed up with Rave Mobile Safety to create Exchange Link–a cutting-edge interoperability solution designed to break down communication barriers between emergency response agencies.

The original solution was designed to help advance the California OES Data Information Sharing (DIS) project in the state of California to solve incident data sharing capabilities, and now can allow more integrated communications, despite agency boundaries and siloed communications. In this blog post, we’ll explore how Exchange Link works, why it’s a critical tool for agencies to implement, how it’s transforming emergency response, and how it drives seamless interoperability.  

What is Exchange Link?

Exchange Link is an advanced interoperability solution that connects Rave Mobile Safety’s Rave Link solution with RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping platform, creating an interconnected emergency response ecosystem. This integration enables agencies to:

• Share live CAD incident data with neighboring ECCs

• Track emergency vehicle locations (AVL) across jurisdictions in real-time

• Request resources directly via a map interface, eliminating the need for time-consuming phone calls

This integration eliminates the inefficiencies often found in traditional communication methods and automates data sharing across emergency communication centers (ECCs)––ensuring all responding agencies have instant access to accurate, up-to-date information.

By streamlining data sharing and enhancing interagency communication, Exchange Link accelerates response times and enhances situational awareness, ultimately leading to more effective emergency response.

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Why 911 Agencies Need Exchange Link

1. Enhanced Situational Awareness

In large-scale emergencies—such as wildfires, natural disasters, or multi-agency responses—coordinating mutual aid can be complex. Exchange Link integrates multiple data sources into a single, unified interface, providing a comprehensive view of incidents, vehicle locations, and available resources. This level of visibility allows call takers and first responders to make informed decisions in real-time.

2. Automated Mutual Aid Coordination

Traditionally, mutual aid requests rely on manual communication methods, causing delays in dispatch and response times. Exchange Link automates CAD data sharing, reducing reliance on outdated communication processes and ensuring that the closest and most appropriate resources are deployed faster.

3. Cross-Jurisdictional Data Sharing

Many jurisdictions operate disparate CAD systems that do not communicate with one another. Exchange Link acts as an interoperability bridge, allowing ECCs to securely share incident details, Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) data, and responder locations across multiple agencies, regardless of their CAD vendor.

4. Optimized Emergency Response Workflow

By displaying real-time agency CAD incidents and AVL data, Exchange Link streamlines the workflow of telecommunicators and responders. The tool enables selective data sharing among ECCs using Radius Mapping, ensuring that only relevant, critical information is shared without overwhelming emergency responders with unnecessary data.

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How Exchange Link Drives NG911 Interoperability

Breaking Down Barriers to Data Sharing

The Next Generation 911 (NG911) movement is transitioning emergency response from traditional voice-centric systems to IP-based data-sharing networks. Exchange Link is a key enabler of this shift, facilitating secure and seamless interoperability between agencies while preserving local control over data-sharing permissions.

Seamless CAD and AVL Data Integration

Exchange Link’s seamless connection between Rave Mobile Safety’s Rave Link solution and RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping creates an interconnected emergency response ecosystem. This integration helps to facilitate seamless interoperability between agencies, with the ability to share live CAD incident data with neighboring ECCs, track emergency vehicles in real-time across jurisdictions, and request resources directly through a single screen.

Configurable Rules Engine for Incident Data Sharing

Exchange Link provides local control for agencies to determine data sharing access. The solution includes an agency-to-agency rules engine, allowing agencies to define what data gets shared, with whom, and under what conditions. For instance, an agency can choose to share:

• All high-priority incidents with neighboring jurisdictions

• Vehicle location data only when a unit is dispatched on a mutual aid call

• CAD event details based on predefined severity levels

Alignment with National Interoperability Standards

Exchange Link is built to align with NG911 interoperability standards, including:

• Emergency Incident Data Object (EIDO) Model, which helps bridge the data-sharing gap between CAD vendors by providing a standardized format for incident data exchange. This ensures that agencies using different CAD systems can seamlessly share and interpret information, improving situational awareness and operational coordination.

• State-funded initiatives, such as Cal OES Data Information Sharing (DIS) in California, which supports CAD and AVL interoperability statewide. This initiative ensures that over 450 PSAPs in the state can share critical incident data in real-time, enhancing response efficiency and reducing the time required to coordinate mutual aid.

• National Emergency Number Association (NENA) and APCO interoperability guidelines, which provide frameworks for data-sharing best practices to ensure effective multi-agency collaboration during emergencies.

• Federal initiatives like FirstNet, which promote broadband-based data sharing to enhance first responder communication and response times.

By aligning with these national interoperability standards, Exchange Link empowers emergency response agencies to break down technological and jurisdictional silos, fostering a more connected and resilient public safety ecosystem.

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How Exchange Link is Transforming Emergency Response

Exchange Link is changing the way we think about and respond to emergencies by breaking down communication barriers and empowering first responders with real-time coordination.  

Accelerating Mutual Aid During Large-Scale Incidents

In a wildfire scenario, multiple agencies—fire, EMS, law enforcement—must collaborate to coordinate evacuations, fire suppression, and medical aid. Without real-time data sharing, response times suffer, and lives are at risk. With Exchange Link, agencies can instantly view and request available resources, improve coordination, and enhance first responder safety, ensuring faster deployment and improved coordination across jurisdictions.

Enhancing First Responder Safety

By providing live tracking of responder locations, Exchange Link improves first responder safety. Supervisors can monitor the exact positions of units in the field, allowing for better resource allocation and risk management during dynamic emergencies.

Proven Technology, Trusted Partners

Exchange Link is a partnered solution between RapidDeploy, a leader in cloud-native public safety solutions, and Rave Mobile Safety, a pioneer in emergency communication technology. Together, these companies deliver a solution that is:  

✅ Cloud-native, ensuring fast deployment and scalability  

✅ Secure, with role-based data sharing and encryption  

✅ Customizable, allowing agencies to tailor data-sharing permissions

‍Next Steps: How to Get Started

The future of Next Generation 911 depends on seamless data interoperability. Exchange Link is more than just a tool—it’s a game-changer for public safety, ensuring every agency has the right information, at the right time, to save lives. By embracing this technology, ECCs can streamline mutual aid, enhance situational awareness, and drive faster emergency responses—exactly what the future of public safety demands.  

For agencies looking to improve their interoperability and mutual aid capabilities, Exchange Link offers a seamless path to NG911 readiness. To learn more or schedule a demo, contact RapidDeploy today at info@rapiddeploy.com.