On March 5, RapidDeploy, in partnership with the North Central Texas Emergency Communications District (NCT9-1-1), proudly unveiled a vibrant new mural on the historic Bridgeport Hospital building at 1306 13th Street in Bridgeport, Texas. This mural, a dedication to 911 first responders, was created from the collective artwork of several talented young students from Miss Dickerson’s art class at Bridgeport Middle School. These individual creations, submitted as part of the statewide 2024 National First Responders Day art contest, were thoughtfully combined into a single cohesive work of art that celebrates both the bravery of first responders and the creativity of the local community.
National First Responders Day, observed annually on October 28, is a day dedicated to honoring the courage, commitment, and sacrifices of first responders. These brave individuals—firefighters, police officers, telecommunicators, and EMS personnel—are the first to arrive in times of crisis, offering help, reassurance, and life-saving support.
At RapidDeploy, our mission is aligned with the work of these first responders. By designing technology to reduce response times, we strive to make the critical work of first responders as effective and impactful as possible. It was in this spirit that we collaborated with NCT9-1-1 to celebrate National First Responders Day in a unique and meaningful way.
The concept for the mural began with a statewide art contest inviting students K-6th grade across Texas to creatively depict their appreciation for first responders. The theme, "Honoring Our 911 Heroes," encouraged the children to celebrate the bravery and dedication of these individuals through their artwork.
Several thoughtful and creative submissions were received from students in Miss Dickerson’s art class at Bridgeport Middle School. After reviewing the entries, artwork from Audrie Holt, Chinwe Unekwe, Henleigh Abbott, and Kaidence Ford were selected and skillfully combined by our muralist to create a larger cohesive design brought-to-life. This collaborative mural now graces the side of a local building in Bridgeport, where it serves as both a tribute to first responders and a showcase of the incredible creativity and talent of our young local artists.
The dedication ceremony for the mural took place at 5 PM on March 5 and was a wonderful celebration of community spirit, creativity, and gratitude. Local officials, first responders, families, NCT9-1-1, RapidDeploy, and members of the Bridgeport community came together to honor the work of first responders while also celebrating the young artists who made this project possible.
This mural now stands as a lasting testament to the invaluable contributions of first responders while also highlighting the importance of art and creativity in bringing communities together.
The mural in Bridgeport marks an exciting beginning in our efforts to honor first responders through art. We plan to continue this initiative with future projects that celebrate the courage and dedication of 911 professionals while fostering a deeper connection between them and the communities they serve.
RapidDeploy’s co-founder, Steve Raucher, returned to the Electrifying Growth podcast for a second time. In this episode, Steve reflects on the incredible journey RapidDeploy has taken over the past year, from overcoming challenges in scaling a mission-driven company to the strategic acquisition that has positioned RapidDeploy for even greater impact.
Steve shares insights on balancing mission with commercialization, the importance of building the right team, and lessons learned from scaling and exiting a company in the public safety tech space. If you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or operator navigating high-growth industries, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here:
Last week, the RapidDeploy team joined public safety leaders, policymakers, and industry partners in Washington, D.C., for NENA 9-1-1 Goes to Washington (GTW)—an event that brings 911 professionals together to advocate for policies that drive the future of emergency communications.
This year’s event was particularly significant as we had the honor of addressing the public safety community about RapidDeploy’s future following our acquisition by Motorola Solutions. We also had the privilege of celebrating a public safety pioneer and hosting an incredible closing reception to cap off an impactful week. Most importantly, we stood alongside our peers in advocating for NENA’s critical policy priorities to ensure the continued evolution of 911 technology.
During Monday’s luncheon, RapidDeploy Co-Founder Steve Raucher and Motorola Solutions’ Corporate Vice President, Command Center Software Sales Travis Boettcher addressed an audience of 911 leaders to discuss the future of public safety technology.
Steve opened with this powerful statement:
“Today marks a defining moment—not just for RapidDeploy, not just for Motorola Solutions, but for the entire public safety community.”
Steve and Travis outlined what this acquisition means for our customers and the broader industry:
With these advancements, we are setting a new standard for NG911. Together with Motorola Solutions, we are solving for safer.
One of the core missions of NENA 9-1-1 Goes to Washington is advocacy. This year, NENA emphasized two critical policy priorities that will directly impact the future of NG911:
Additionally, the 911 SAVES Act—which would help achieve this reclassification—has been reintroduced in the House but has yet to be introduced in the Senate. With a new Congress only six weeks into session, continued advocacy is critical to ensuring this important legislation gains traction.
As NG911 capabilities continue to advance through technology, the success of NG911 can be affected by federal funding, cybersecurity protections, and the recognition of 911 professionals as first responders.
RapidDeploy was honored to have Steve Raucher share the story of the NG911 Institute’s Industry Professional of the Year Award for the late Roger Hixson.
Roger’s contributions to emergency communications were profound. As an engineer and consultant for NENA, he played a critical role in shaping the development and implementation of modern 911 infrastructure. His work helped ensure that emergency services across the country became more accessible and efficient.
“This annual award recognizes a 911 industry professional for their leadership, professionalism, initiative, creativity, and diligence in solving critical 911 issues,” Steve said during the ceremony. “Tonight, we posthumously honor the legacy of Roger C. Hixson, whose career left a lasting impact on the field of emergency communications.”
It was an incredibly moving tribute to a leader whose influence continues to shape the future of 911.
To wrap up a meaningful week, RapidDeploy hosted the GTW Closing Party—an opportunity for industry leaders, first responders, and public safety professionals to come together, connect, and celebrate.
It was a night filled with engaging conversations, new partnerships, and a shared excitement for the future of emergency response. As our industry navigates the transition to NG911, events like these remind us why we do what we do: to support the incredible professionals who dedicate their lives to saving others.
This year’s NENA 9-1-1 Goes to Washington reinforced the urgency and opportunity ahead in emergency communications. With NG911 legislation gaining momentum and public safety technology evolving at an unprecedented pace, we are committed to leading the way—together with Motorola Solutions.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to NENA, the NG911 Institute, and everyone who joined us in D.C. to advance the future of emergency response. We are more excited than ever about what’s next for RapidDeploy and the entire 911 community.
Want to stay updated on how RapidDeploy and Motorola Solutions are shaping the future of NG911? Follow us on LinkedIn.
Every second counts when responding to a fire. Whether it’s a structure fire, a vehicle blaze, or a hazardous materials incident, firefighters must make split-second decisions that can mean the difference between containment and catastrophe. The more intelligence they have at the onset of a 911 call, the better they can assess the severity of the fire, determine the appropriate resources, and ensure firefighter safety.
However, one of the greatest dangers responders face isn’t just the emergency itself––it’s getting there. Every year, approximately 20-25% of firefighter line-of-duty deaths are caused by motor vehicle crashes on their way to or returning from an emergency, according to FAMA. Reducing unnecessary resources deployed during responses can help minimize these risks while ensuring help reaches those who need it most.
That’s why access to real-time intelligence is crucial. The Valley Emergency Communications Center in Tucson, Arizona, recently demonstrated this when they used RapidDeploy’s RapidVideo technology to optimize their response to a reported residential fire.
In Pima County, Arizona, a 911 caller reported a small fire near a residential structure they were passing by. The caller reported the houses were in close proximity, and that one appeared to be catching on fire.
Given the potential danger of the situation and without more information, the Valley Emergency Communications Center (VECC) initiated a full-scale emergency response, including two Battalion Chiefs, three fire engines, and two paramedic units.
To improve decision-making, the telecommunicator used RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping and integrated RapidVideo technology. This innovative tool enabled the telecommunicator to send a video link to the caller’s mobile device, providing live footage of the incident.
By reviewing the video in real-time, the VECC quickly assessed the situation and determined the fire had already been put out by good Samaritans. The Battalion Chief decided to downgrade the response, and rather than sending all seven units with lights and sirens engaged, only the closest engine proceeded at emergency speed––reducing risk to responders and citizens and reserving resources for other emergencies.
By leveraging RapidVideo to gather critical intelligence about the emergency and real-time updates, the VECC successfully:
Watch the below video to see the critical footage provided by RapidVideo, and how it ultimately changed the response outcome:
RapidVideo enhances 911 intelligence by providing real-time visual insights, helping telecommunicators and responders make faster, more informed decisions. This one-way video service, integrated with RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping, allows PSAPs to initiate a live video feed, offering a direct view of the caller’s surroundings. By deepening situational awareness, RapidVideo enables responders to assess emergencies more accurately and deploy resources more efficiently.
Using RapidVideo is seamless for both telecommunicators and callers. Once a 911 call is active, telecommunicators can quickly send a secure link via SMS to the caller’s mobile device. With just one tap, the video feed is activated—providing responders with real-time visual intelligence that helps refine their response strategy, reduce unnecessary resource deployment, and enhance overall safety.
The integration of RapidVideo with Radius Mapping is transforming emergency response. By providing first responders with instant visual intelligence, PSAPs can make smarter, safer decisions—ultimately saving lives and resources. As technology continues to advance, solutions like RapidVideo will play an increasingly vital role in modern public safety operations.
Some of the key benefits of RapidVideo include:
For more information on how RapidVideo and Radius Mapping can enhance your emergency response operations, reach out to our team today!
Florida's public safety agencies operate in one of the most complex emergency response environments in the country. With a mix of urban hubs, vast rural areas, and a high volume of seasonal visitors, ensuring seamless emergency response requires robust, data-driven, and interoperable solutions. Compounding these challenges, the state's home rule structure grants counties significant autonomy over their emergency response systems. While this decentralization allows for tailored local approaches, it also makes interoperability essential to bridging gaps between jurisdictions and ensuring a cohesive statewide response.
The Florida NENA Fall 2024 Conference that took place this past November in Daytona, FL, highlighted the key focus areas for public safety leaders in the state: GIS accuracy, Next Generation 911 (NG911) deployment, and data interoperability across agencies. These priorities align with the state's broader strategy for public safety modernization, where enhanced interoperability plays a pivotal role.
Florida is actively enhancing its public safety infrastructure through significant investments in technology and resources. By prioritizing technological advancements and resource allocation, Florida aims to strengthen its public safety framework, ensuring that agencies are well-equipped to serve and protect communities effectively.
The state's Focus on Florida’s Future 2024-2025 budget includes:
These initiatives reflect Florida's commitment to modernizing its public safety systems and policies to enhance efficiency and responsiveness. As Executive Director Dave Kerner stated, "The investments outlined in the Focus on Florida’s Future budget reflect our commitment, as well as that of Governor Ron DeSantis, to improving efficiency, modernizing technology, and providing our law enforcement with the necessary tools to safeguard the well-being of those traveling throughout our state." (flhsmv.gov)
With an active commitment to modernize public safety, Florida’s approach to interoperability has become imperative. Historically, the state’s public safety agencies have struggled with siloed communication systems, making cross-jurisdictional collaboration difficult. When emergencies cross county lines, delays in information sharing can have life-threatening consequences.
One significant step forward in addressing this challenge is the increased adoption of NG911 solutions like RapidDeploy's Radius Mapping, the Lightning Mobile app, and Eclipse Analytics. These cloud-native solutions enable real-time location sharing, data-driven decision-making, and seamless integration across agencies, breaking down the barriers that have historically fragmented emergency response systems efforts.
By leveraging cloud-native solutions like RapidDeploy’s NG911 solutions, Florida is taking a proactive approach to enhancing interoperability, emergency response efficiency, and ultimately saving lives. These challenges are especially critical in areas where high call volumes and complex emergency scenarios demand seamless coordination among emergency responders, such as in St. John’s County and Walton County. Aa a result, these counties are now deploying RapidDeploy’s Eclipse Analytics and Radius Mapping solutions with a goal to create a fully integrated system where agencies can share real-time call data, GIS mapping information, and analytics insights across county lines.
Throughout Florida many towns and counties frequently host large-scale public events, including sporting events, concerts, and festivals. These events pose unique challenges for emergency response teams, requiring real-time data-sharing capabilities between multiple jurisdictions. Major events in Florida such as the Daytona 500, the Miami Open, Gasparilla Pirate Festival, and Ultra Music Festival bring massive crowds, increasing the need for rapid and efficient emergency response coordination.
With solutions like RapidDeploy's Lightning mobile application, field responders can access live mapping data, video feeds, and situational intelligence directly from their mobile devices. This level of situational awareness is critical for ensuring a coordinated response during high-impact incidents and large public gatherings.
By integrating Lightning with NG911 capabilities, emergency teams can receive automatic location updates of other responders in the field, monitor real-time public safety threats, and deploy resources dynamically as situations evolve. For example, during an event like the Sumter County Fair, law enforcement and emergency response teams can benefit from using advanced GIS data and shared intelligence networks to monitor crowd density, identify potential threats, and streamline incident responses. The ability to instantly share mission-critical data across multiple agencies can help prevent congestion-related incidents and ensure rapid intervention in medical emergencies.
Florida is no stranger to natural disasters, particularly hurricanes, which require coordinated emergency response efforts across multiple jurisdictions. When a hurricane strikes, emergency teams must respond quickly, despite disruptions to traditional communication infrastructures. Interoperability plays a critical role in ensuring that public safety agencies remain connected and informed.
With RapidDeploy’s cloud-native solutions, agencies can maintain real-time data sharing, even when local networks are down. Radius Mapping enables first responders to track shifting storm paths, evacuation routes, and affected populations. The Lightning mobile application provides field teams with real-time updates on flood zones, road closures, and emergency shelter locations. This level of situational awareness ensures that emergency services can adapt quickly and coordinate effectively, reducing response times and ensuring public safety.
For instance, during a hurricane, emergency teams in Florida can leverage NG911 technology to dispatch aid efficiently, help stranded residents, and coordinate rescue efforts in flooded neighborhoods. By integrating GIS data with real-time emergency calls, agencies are able to prioritize resources and optimize response efforts.
In a tense situation in Santa Rosa County, RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping was instrumental in rescuing a child who had sustained a head injury. The incident began with a misrouted call from a cell phone, reporting that a child had fallen into a pool. Despite losing the connection and failing to re-establish contact after two attempts, the telecommunicator from Santa Rosa County, Florida, utilized RapidLocate, RapidDeploy’s proprietary location technology, to pinpoint the caller’s location within Radius Mapping, and trace the call's origin—surprisingly nearly 100 miles away in Bay County!
The Challenge of Misrouted Calls
Misrouted calls present a unique challenge in emergency response. Often, cell phone calls connect to a cell tower that might not accurately reflect the caller's actual location, which can mislead responders into deploying resources to an incorrect area. This can have severe consequences in time-sensitive situations where minutes, or even seconds, count.
In this instance, the telecommunicator leveraged RapidDeploy's Radius Mapping to quickly identify that the call originated outside of Santa Rosa County's jurisdiction. By identifying the exact location in Bay County, the telecommunicator immediately alerted emergency response counterparts in that region.
Coordinated Response Across County Lines
Upon arrival at the scene, the emergency response teams discovered the child had fallen beside the pool and struck her head, contradicting the original report that the child had fallen into the pool. The response teams provided immediate care, ensuring the child received treatment in time.
Scott Markel, Communications Chief of Santa Rosa County Emergency Management Communications Center, reflected on how this technology played a pivotal role in expediting the response to prevent a tragic outcome, and applauded his team’s efforts:
"I commend my team for the quick-thinking and use of the RapidDeploy platform, which allowed us to swiftly redirect the call to the appropriate agency and coordinate a multi-agency prompt response."
A Lesson in Interagency Collaboration
This precise location tracking enabled a well-coordinated response between the Santa Rosa and Bay County emergency teams, leading to the successful discovery and treatment of the child. This situation emphasizes the importance of NG911 technology and demonstrates how crucial information can cross county boundaries to facilitate an emergency response.
In this instance, RapidDeploy’s technology effectively served as a bridge that allowed different agencies to collaborate seamlessly.
As Florida continues to advance its public safety initiatives, interoperability will be a key driver in transforming emergency response capabilities across the state. By enabling seamless communication and data-sharing among agencies, interoperability ensures that first responders have the most accurate and up-to-date information at their fingertips when seconds matter most.
The expansion of NG911 technology, coupled with cloud-native platforms like RapidDeploy, is equipping Florida’s emergency response teams with real-time situational awareness, ensuring faster, more coordinated responses. The ability to bridge jurisdictions, integrate GIS mapping, and provide advanced analytics is setting a new standard for public safety, making Florida a model for modern emergency response operations.
As more counties and agencies invest in interoperable solutions, Florida is poised to lead the nation in emergency preparedness and response efficiency. The future of public safety in the state is built on connectivity, collaboration, and the power of technology to save lives. Interoperability is not just a tool—it is the foundation for a safer Florida.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
Alignment with National Interoperability Standards
Exchange Link is built to align with NG911 interoperability standards, including:
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.
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.
