As the holiday season approaches, it brings an influx of activities and travel, increasing the demands on emergency response systems. During this critical time, public safety answering points (PSAPs) face heightened risks from unexpected outages, severe weather events, and increased call volumes. Ensuring uninterrupted 911 reliability isn't just a goal—it's a necessity.
RapidDeploy provides innovative tools like Radius Mapping and Lightning to prepare 911 agencies for even the most challenging scenarios. This blog explores how RapidDeploy helps agencies maintain situational awareness and continuity during system interruptions, drawing insights from agencies across Kansas, Florida, and a case study from Cherokee County, South Carolina.
911 outages can occur unexpectedly, disrupting the lifeline between citizens and emergency responders. These interruptions may result from natural disasters, technical malfunctions, or infrastructure failures. During peak holiday seasons, the stakes are even higher, as emergency call volumes surge while responders contend with adverse weather or increased travel-related incidents.
For PSAPs, traditional legacy systems often fall short during large-scale interruptions. This is where cloud-based solutions like RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping shine, providing real-time visibility into emergencies even when voice calls cannot connect.
Across Kansas, agencies preparing for holiday season challenges have turned to RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping and Lightning applications to enhance their response capabilities. The integration of these tools provides:
By leveraging these tools, Kansas agencies ensure they can respond swiftly and effectively, offering peace of mind to residents during one of the busiest times of the year.
In the face of a system outage, RapidDeploy’s Lightning application plays a pivotal role in maintaining emergency response capabilities. Designed as a mobile-first platform, Lightning extends the reach of PSAPs beyond traditional call centers, ensuring continuity of operations even in the most challenging scenarios.
Here’s how Lightning proves indispensable during outages:
Together, these tools create a robust safety net so that emergency response services have the best chance of mitigating uninterrupted service.
An outage in Cherokee County, South Carolina, tested the vital role of RapidDeploy’s technology in ensuring operational continuity. During a peak call time, the Cherokee County 911 center experienced a critical outage, rendering their primary call-routing system inoperable. However, with Radius Mapping in place, telecommunicators maintained visibility of 911 calls as they plotted on the map, despite the absence of live voice connections.
Using mobile signal data displayed in Radius Mapping, Cherokee County’s telecommunicators identified the exact locations of individuals trying to reach 911. This enabled them to initiate voice calls and text-from-911 communications directly from the Radius Mapping platform. Over 30 emergency calls were successfully managed during the outage, thanks to RapidDeploy's seamless technology integration.
Brandon Peeler, Deputy Director of Cherokee County 911, highlighted the system’s impact:
"This happened during our peak time, and we are very grateful for this product for our employees and our citizens."
Similarly, when the CAD system in Titusville, Florida, went down for nearly five days, RapidDeploy’s tools ensured continuous emergency operations. Gregory C. Morrison, Communications Manager at Titusville Police Department, emphasized:
"When our CAD System went down for nearly 5 days, we relied exclusively on RapidDeploy to be able to locate our cellular 911 callers, which make up 87% of our calls, at an average of 250 calls per day. The availability of RapidDeploy to plot and locate these callers was essential to maintaining efficiency in dispatch."
To ensure reliability during interruptions, PSAPs can adopt the following best practices:
As we embrace the holidays, let us also recognize the dedication of 911 professionals who work tirelessly to ensure public safety. Through innovative technology like RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping and Lightning mobile app, agencies can stay prepared, respond effectively, and safeguard their communities during this bustling season and beyond.
For more insights into how RapidDeploy is transforming 911 reliability, explore the Cherokee County case study.
This holiday season, RapidDeploy stands as a partner in preparedness, empowering PSAPs to deliver reliable, uninterrupted service when it matters most. Together, we can ensure a safer, more secure holiday season for all.
We’re excited to introduce Mike Kyle, Senior Software Engineer, as our November Employee Spotlight. Mike’s drive to solve complex challenges and his expertise in cloud-native technologies have been a major asset to RapidDeploy. His contributions mirror the passion we read about in last month’s series spotlight with Alida Fanfoni, who brought her problem-solving mindset to the product team. Just like Alida’s work has pushed our product innovations forward, Mike’s engineering efforts have been critical in delivering cutting-edge solutions for our clients. Here’s more about Mike’s journey and the impact he’s made at RapidDeploy!
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
The challenge. Working with cloud-native technology is like a playground for innovation and creativity. It allows the engineering team to approach things differently, and that’s really exciting. Plus, the energy of a great team radiates through the entire organization, which makes it even more enjoyable.
Q: Can you share a key project you’ve worked on that had a significant impact?
One of the most impactful projects I’ve worked on was the deployment of Radius Mapping for the state of California. At the time, RapidDeploy was still in startup mode, and tackling such a massive state felt like a “David and Goliath” situation. It was our first major state deployment, and its success was critical to the success of the business. We worked hard as a team to make it happen, and I’m proud of what we accomplished.
Q: What’s one of your most memorable moments at RapidDeploy?
I was on a call with a customer and a competing vendor to address inaccuracies in the data being displayed on the system. The other vendor said it would take weeks to update their system to handle the change, but with RapidDeploy, it took about two minutes. It was a fun moment, and it really highlighted how agile we are as a company.
Q: How has your career progressed since you started at RapidDeploy?
Not many people know this, but I started at RapidDeploy as a network engineer hired to help build an IoT device. After many early morning study sessions, I transitioned to a software engineer role. The company supported me through the process, and I’ve been flourishing ever since. It’s been a rewarding journey.
Q: How would you describe the company culture at RapidDeploy?
I’d say it’s a mix of seriousness when it’s needed and humor when it’s appropriate. We focus on maintaining healthy, respectful teams. Disrespect and negativity might feel powerful in the moment, but they’re ultimately harmful. Patience, understanding, and thoughtfulness are the values we try to embody, and that’s the culture I want to help build..
Q: What do you enjoy most about working at RapidDeploy?
The purpose. I want to work for something greater than myself. As a former military member, that sense of purpose is important to me. RapidDeploy gives me the opportunity to contribute to something meaningful—helping save lives by improving emergency response.
Q: Can you share a time when teamwork was essential to your success?
For major statewide deployments, like the one we did in California, teamwork is absolutely essential. You need input and collaboration from engineering, product, project management, and many other teams to make it successful. Everyone plays a part, and it’s that cooperative effort that ensures we deliver.
Q: How does RapidDeploy support work-life balance for its employees?
I’ve always felt supported when it comes to balancing work and life. There was a time when I had a herniated disc, and it was painful just to sit at my desk. My team was understanding and gave me the flexibility I needed to step away and heal. That kind of support makes a big difference.
Q: What excites you about the future of RapidDeploy?
I want to see RapidDeploy continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in public safety. The company has already made huge strides in disrupting the industry, but there’s still more to do. We’ve faced challenges, but looking back, you realize those are the moments that helped us grow and become stronger. I’m excited to see where we go from here.
Thank you, Mike, for your dedication and innovation in helping us achieve our mission! Stay tuned for our next Agent on a Mission in December!
In honor of National First Responders Day (NFRD) this year, we teamed up with NCT 911 to host Texas’s first-ever NFRD Art Contest, inviting elementary students to capture the bravery and dedication of our first responders through art. This statewide contest saw over 100 students submit heartfelt and imaginative depictions of first responders in action, celebrating the 911 heroes who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.
We are thrilled to announce that the winning piece was created by Landrie Reeves, a talented sixth grader from Stafford Elementary. Landrie’s artwork beautifully highlights emergency vehicles and first responders working together, capturing the essential role of each team that contributes to community safety. This stunning piece will soon become a mural in North Texas, standing as a permanent tribute to the dedication of first responders who serve us every day.
A huge thank you to every young artist who participated in the contest. Your creativity and thoughtfulness shine through each piece, demonstrating an inspiring appreciation for the heroes among us. Below, you can enjoy Landries' winning artwork along with a selection of other beautiful submissions that honor our first responders with color, creativity, and gratitude.
This National First Responder’s Day, we are proud to celebrate three exceptional 911 telecommunicators from Anderson County, South Carolina––Derek Kennedy, Zachary McMillion, and Kacey Rogers. Today, we announced that these heroic individuals have been awarded RapidDeploy’s prestigious Superstar Award in recognition of their skillful responses to high-stakes incidents and strategic use of our advanced NG911 tools.
For 911 telecommunicators, every call is a pivotal moment where decisions made can potentially save a life. In the face of intense pressure, Derek, Zachary, and Kacey rose to the challenge, showcasing the profound impact of quick, decisive action. Utilizing RapidDeploy’s technology and their expertise, they effectively coordinated life-saving responses during unpredictable incidents. We are honored to recognize their extraordinary efforts on this important day. Read on to learn more about their heroic actions!
In a volatile situation involving an armed suspect evading law enforcement across multiple jurisdictions, Derek Kennedy and Zachary McMillion showed teamwork and resourcefulness. Working together, Zachary used RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping communication tools to locate and contact the suspect’s ex-spouse, securing important contact information for the suspect. From there, Zachary leveraged RapidDeploy’s RapidLocate to determine the suspect’s location, and initiated contact through both text messages and a voice call. Derek’s coordination of law enforcement resources was pivotal in bringing the standoff to a peaceful outcome.
In another intense emergency, Derek and Zachary used non-voice communication to guide students barricaded in a classroom through a high-stakes ordeal. UsingRapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping, they connected with students via text, receiving real-time updates and even photos from the scene. They guided students through the ordeal, helping to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Their resourceful response earned them the 2024 Crime Stoppers award in addition to the Superstar recognition.
Kacey Rogers, Anderson County’s Assistant Supervisor, displayed composure and creative thinking during a medical emergency on Lake Hartwell. When Kacey received a transferred call reporting a boating accident, she swiftly jumped into action. Despite missing location data from the transferred call, Kacey tried alternative resources and then quickly pivoted to RapidDeploy’s tools, which helped her to successfully pinpoint the boat’s location. Her efforts ensured a coordinated response with Hart County 911, ultimately enabling the safe rescue and medical care of two patients.
The Superstar Award honors telecommunicators who have gone above and beyond in using RapidDeploy technology to protect their communities. Since its creation, the award has recognized 911 heroes from across the country. Derek, Zachary, and Kacey join a distinguished group, each one exemplifying the highest standards of public safety service.
RapidDeploy’s CEO Steve Raucher reflected, “The dedication shown by our Superstar Award recipients reminds us why we developed these tools in the first place—to give first responders the resources they need to make critical decisions that save lives. We are immensely proud to honor Derek, Zachary, and Kacey on this important day.”
If you or a team member have been part of a heroic 911 call and leveraged RapidDeploy’s technology, we’d love to hear about it! You can submit a save story here.
Watch The Superstar Award Ceremony!
In recognition of these heroic individuals from Anderson County, Steve Raucher and the RapidDeploy team recently presented their Superstar Award during a live ceremony. We invite you to watch the video below to hear firsthand accounts of their life-saving actions and witness the inspiring moments that showcase their commitment to public safety!
To read more, please visit our press release here.
We’re excited to introduce Alida Fanfoni, RapidDeploy’s Product Owner, in this month’s Employee Spotlight. Alida’s passion for problem-solving and her unique background in data science and software engineering make her an incredible asset to our team. Since joining RapidDeploy in 2022, Alida has been at the forefront of driving impactful projects that support our mission to save lives, much like Chris Guerrero, our featured employee from last month. Just as Chris brought innovation and dedication to the customer success team, Alida has been instrumental in delivering cutting-edge solutions for our product team. We couldn’t be prouder to showcase her work and story. Get to know Alida as she shares more about her experience working at RapidDeploy.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
Without a doubt, the aspect I enjoy most is the problem-solving. I love tackling issues that truly matter, and at RapidDeploy, those problems often involve solutions that directly save lives. What makes it even better is working alongside a passionate, dedicated team who shares the same commitment.
Q: What attracted you to this position at RapidDeploy?
It was the perfect opportunity to transition officially into a product role. In my previous positions, I was more focused on engineering and operations. Here, I get to leverage both my technical and product knowledge to really make an impact. Also, the chance to work on something that’s more than just a job—something that helps improve public safety—is incredibly appealing.
Q: Can you share a key project you’ve worked on that had a significant impact?
One of the most exciting projects I’ve worked on is bringing ECC Messaging to our customers. This feature allows neighboring Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs) to communicate seamlessly, and it’s a real game-changer for public safety. It distinguishes RapidDeploy’s product offering from other competitors in the field. ECC Messaging has the potential to dramatically improve the efficiency of emergency response, which is something I’m particularly proud to have been part of.
Q: How would you describe the company culture at RapidDeploy?
The culture here is truly caring, inclusive, and uplifting. We’re honest with each other, always striving to improve, and the environment is one where people feel empowered to bring their best selves to work. There’s a strong sense of collaboration, and it’s incredibly supportive, both personally and professionally.
Q: How do you collaborate with other teams within RapidDeploy?
Collaboration is at the heart of what I do. As a product owner, I’m in the middle of the implementation and delivery pipeline. I work closely with our engineering and product teams, but I also collaborate with project management, support, and implementation teams to ensure that we’re delivering features and enhancements on time. It's a team effort, and I'm fortunate to work with such experienced and dedicated colleagues to tackle any challenge together, turning our successes into shared triumphs.
Q: How does RapidDeploy support work-life balance for its employees?
RapidDeploy offers flexible work hours and the ability to work from home, which is key to maintaining a healthy balance, especially when working with teams across the U.S. and South Africa. They’ve created an environment where it’s okay for life to pop into your workday—whether it’s a child appearing on a Teams call or adjusting your schedule around personal commitments. It’s these small things that make a big difference in keeping the workplace enjoyable and stress-free. And despite—or maybe because of —the flexibility, we’re still able to come together as a team and deliver amazing results to the people we serve. The passion and dedication across the company ensures that even with flexible schedules, the work gets done and we continue to make an impact in the public safety space.
Q: What excites you about the future of RapidDeploy?
I’m really excited about the continued innovation in our products and the difference they’re making in public safety. Every new project brings us closer to saving more lives and improving emergency response systems. I believe the future is bright for RapidDeploy, and I’m thrilled to be part of it.
Thank you, Alida, for being an incredible part of the RapidDeploy team and for your dedication to making a real difference. Stay tuned for our next Agent on a Mission in November!
National Situational Awareness Day, observed annually on September 26th, serves as a reminder of the critical importance of staying aware of our surroundings, particularly in emergency situations. First recognized in 2016, this day highlights the concept of situational awareness—a skill that involves perceiving, understanding, and predicting events in one’s environment to ensure safety. For first responders, emergency personnel, and everyday citizens, situational awareness is essential for preventing harm and making quick, informed decisions in times of crisis. As technology continues to advance, enhancing situational awareness through innovative tools has become vital to improving public safety and emergency response efforts worldwide.
For first responders and Emergency Communication Centers (ECCs), situational awareness is not just a concept—it’s a critical factor that can mean the difference between life and death. In emergency situations, having a clear, real-time understanding of the environment enables responders to make rapid, accurate decisions. Whether it’s tracking the precise location of a 911 caller, coordinating multiple agencies during a large-scale event, or assessing potential threats in a rapidly changing situation, situational awareness allows teams to anticipate risks, allocate resources effectively, and ultimately save lives. Without it, response times can lag, critical details can be missed, and the safety of both responders and the public is put at risk.
At RapidDeploy, our mission is to save lives by reducing response times, and we understand that empowering first responders with enhanced situational awareness is key to achieving that goal. In honor of National Situational Awareness Day, we want to celebrate and showcase the incredible work of our customers who have used RapidDeploy's NG911 technology to improve situational awareness during emergencies and, in turn, help save more lives.
Earlier this year, Tennessee’s Carter County 911 faced a tense situation when they received a series of dropped 911 calls from a phone with no caller ID, threatening a school shooting. Using RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping technology, telecommunicators were able to pinpoint the location of the caller in real-time, leading them to Happy Valley High School. This rapid identification enabled a coordinated lockdown of multiple schools within the district and the quick apprehension of the suspects within 24 hours. The precise location tracking through RapidDeploy was credited as being instrumental in preventing a potential tragedy.
When it comes to school safety, it is vital to have the right tools at your fingertips when every second counts. With RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping technology, telecommunicators weren’t just reacting—they were taking proactive steps to track and pinpoint multiple dropped calls, and those actions ultimately kept their community safe. This is a great example of how having accurate, real-time information and situational awareness can completely change the outcome of an emergency.
Download the full case study to dive deeper into how RapidDeploy's tools played a critical role in this emergency response.
Cherokee County 911 in South Carolina encountered a critical challenge when their call system experienced an outage during peak hours. Despite the system failure, RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping allowed telecommunicators to see 911 calls as they came in and were plotted on the map, even when live calls couldn’t be received. By using mobile signal data, telecommunicators were able to initiate calls and texts, ensuring that emergency response efforts continued without disruption. Over 30 emergency situations were successfully managed during this outage, demonstrating how technology can maintain situational awareness under extreme conditions.
Outages are every 911 center’s worst nightmare, but the team in Cherokee County showed how staying calm and having the right tools can keep things running smoothly, even in a worst-case scenario when a 911 system is down. RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping platform turned a potentially chaotic situation into one where telecommunicators could still manage emergencies effectively. It’s a powerful reminder that situational awareness isn’t just about what you can see—it’s about what you can do with the information you have.
Download the full case study to learn more about how RapidDeploy helped manage this emergency during the system outage.
Large-scale events like the Super Bowl require flawless coordination between multiple public safety agencies. During Super Bowl LVII in 2023, RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping technology was utilized to provide a unified map that plotted 911 calls with detailed stadium floor plans. This solution enabled various emergency teams to access the exact locations of incidents inside, and in the immediate surrounding area, of the stadium and to quickly coordinate responses, even when dealing with high call volumes. The ability to provide instant situational awareness across different agencies working together to keep the public safe during this huge event ensured a safe experience for thousands of attendees.
When you think about an event as massive as the Super Bowl, the stakes for emergency response are incredibly high. With Arizona hosting this event, having all agencies on the same page with RapidDeploy’s unified map made a huge difference in coordinating response. Public safety during a large-scale event is not just about responding to calls—it’s about having the situational awareness to see the big picture, anticipate needs, and make sure that everyone from the call center to the field is in sync. That’s what keeps everyone safe, from the fans to the first responders.
Download the full case study to discover how RapidDeploy’s solutions ensured safety at Super Bowl LVII.
In August 2024, the Scottsdale Police Department received a flood of calls about a potential active shooter situation at a grocery store. With multiple agencies involved, traditional communication channels between responding agencies could have caused delays and slowed response. However, using RapidDeploy’s Interagency Chat tool within the Radius Mapping platform, critical information was instantly shared across agencies using Radius Mapping. This real-time coordination allowed law enforcement to exchange information quickly and use that information to stabilize the situation, effectively preventing further escalation.
In high-stress situations like an active shooter threat, every moment matters. The Interagency Chat tool within Radius Mapping was invaluable during this incident because it helped to cut through the noise and provide vital information to responders—immediately. This is what situational awareness looks like in action: seamless communication that leads to quick, decisive action. It’s about making sure everyone has what they need to keep their communities safe.
Download the full case study to see how RapidDeploy’s Interagency Chat tool made a difference in this critical emergency.
These case studies highlight how NG911 technology is transforming emergency response by enhancing situational awareness. Whether it's locating a hidden threat, managing communication during large events, or overcoming technical challenges, the right tools enable emergency teams to act swiftly and effectively.
On National Situational Awareness Day, let’s celebrate and recognize the vital role that first responders and technology plays in keeping our communities safe.
