Last year, RapidDeploy was thrilled to introduce the RapidDeploy Superstar Award, a national award recognizing extraordinary individuals who have significantly impacted lives by leveraging Next Generation 911 technology.
This award specifically honors heroes from ECCs and PSAPs nationwide that have effectively utilized RapidDeploy’s technology in a life-saving emergency incident.
Communications Supervisor Derrik Gregg from Scottsdale Police Department Receives the Superstar Award for His Life-Saving Efforts
On Friday, September 1, 2023, at approximately 0238 hours, Communications Supervisor Derrik Gregg received a 911 call that disconnected shortly after he answered. Derrik was able to see on RapidDeploy’s Radius Map that the caller was on Hayden near McCormick Parkway, and he was also able to see subsequent location changes. Derrik initiated a Call For Service for a 911 welfare check. At the same time, Derrik selected “request additional information,” a feature request on RapidDeploy that signifies that the 911 center feels there is a potential emergency, and will send the requestor any emergency information previously entered into a smartphone by the caller (name, emergency contact, and home address).
On Derrik’s second call to the phone, a female answered and quickly stated that she would call him back. Derrik asked her if she had an emergency, to which she replied,“Yes” and then hung up the phone. Using the information on the supplemental information from the caller’s phone, Derrik ran a query through ACJIS to find vehicles registered to a person with the caller’s name. At this time, Officer A and Trainee Officer B made a stop on a vehicle traveling northbound on Hayden by matching the license plate that Derrik had relayed.
Officers A and B, with other officers and the sergeant backing them up, approached the vehicle and determined that the female passenger of the vehicle needed medical attention. Investigation revealed that the male driver had run over the female passenger prior to leaving with her in the vehicle from a bar in Scottsdale. The female had been unable to speak freely because she was afraid of the driver.
This call came to a successful ending due to the quick actions by Communications Supervisor Derrik Gregg.
It is likely that the actions taken by Scottsdale Communications and Patrol saved this young woman’s life that night.
The Power of RapidDeploy Technology Plays a Pivotal Role in Life-Saving Response
Derrik's actions epitomize the dedication and resilience of our first responders. He exemplified extraordinary life-saving impact with his quick thinking and decisive actions, and his heroic efforts not only saved a life but also showcased the power of innovative technology in emergency situations. His mastery of our technology played a pivotal role in this life-saving operation. We commend Derrik Gregg for his unwavering commitment to public safety and his extraordinary contribution to his community, and we proudly announce Derrik Gregg as the recipient of RapidDeploy's quarterly Superstar Award.
RapidDeploy National Superstar Award
The RapidDeploy Superstar Award recognizes exceptional bravery and outstanding contributions to emergency response. Through real-life examples like Derrik Gregg's, we highlight the impact of innovative technology in saving lives. We encourage nominations and submissions of heroic stories from first responders across the nation, showcasing the remarkable efforts of those on the front lines.
As we celebrate Derrik Gregg's achievements, we also reflect on the broader mission of RapidDeploy. Founded in 2016, we are dedicated to revolutionizing the public safety sector. Our cloud-native platform delivers intelligent information throughout the emergency response journey, empowering agencies and first responders to drive better outcomes in mission-critical situations.
The recognition of RapidDeploy as a Most Innovative Company in 2024 by Fast Company further validates our commitment to excellence. We are proud to lead the charge in reshaping emergency response, reducing response times, and ultimately saving lives. With a curated partner network and a relentless focus on innovation, we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in public safety.
Innovative Technology Is Changing 911
At RapidDeploy, we believe in the power of technology to make a difference. Derrik Gregg's story is a testament to that belief. His swift action, supported by our innovative solutions, demonstrates the impact of collaboration between technology and human ingenuity. As we celebrate Derrik's heroism, we renew our dedication to advancing public safety and driving positive change in communities worldwide.
Together, we will continue to innovate, inspire, and save lives.
AUSTIN, Texas (August 1, 2024) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – RapidDeploy, the leading cloud-native solution provider for public safety, is proud to honor 911 telecommunicator Ashley Willis with the prestigious RapidDeploy Superstar Award for her use of RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping technology to save a life.
On May 1, 2023, Ashley Willis(previously Rodriguez) received a 911 call that appeared as a “signal” onRapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping technology. The signal indicated a 911 call that was immediately dropped. With access to the precise caller location on her 911 agency’s primary call-taking map, Radius Mapping, Ashley quickly sent officers to the location of the dropped call while simultaneously calling the number back. Despite no answer to her call back attempt, her rapid response to the situation resulted in responding officers saving the caller, a 7-month pregnant victim of domestic violence. The timely intervention led to the arrest of the suspect and ensured the safety of the victim.
“Ashley Willis demonstrated extraordinary dedication and quick action during a critical moment,” said Steve Raucher, RapidDeploy CEO and co-founder. “We are proud to honor her life-saving actions and commitment to public safety, which speaks to the heart and mission of RapidDeploy and all first responders.”
RapidDeploy's Radius Mapping technology empowers telecommunicators with advanced tools, including access to precise caller locations, the ability to initiate video calls, and text messaging with callers. The advanced location precision capability of Radius Mapping played a critical role in providing critical technology to the Indialantic Police Department during this incident, enabling the first responder to coordinate resources quickly and deliver life-saving assistance.
While most dropped 911 calls do not indicate an emergency, Willis noticed the disconnected call on her screen and took swift action. "I’m constantly checking my screens and my maps, and I am so thankful I was able to see the call location. This time it really mattered, and I was able to help," said Willis.
The Superstar Award reflects RapidDeploy's ongoing commitment to recognize first responders' extraordinary efforts and highlight the impact of innovative technology on emergency response. By showcasing real-life examples of heroism and the capabilities ofRapidDeploy's NG911 solutions, RapidDeploy aims to inspire and empower first responders with access to mission-critical data to drive faster, more effective emergency responses.
To learn more on this story, see the award presentation, and watch video coverage from inside the Indialantic Police Department, read our blog post.
When telecommunicator Ashley Willis (previously Rodriguez) saw an attempted 911 call appear on her primary call mapping screen, she immediately sprang into action. Using RapidDeploy's Radius Mapping technology, she pinpointed the exact location of the dropped call, immediately deployed officers to the location, and simultaneously called back the number. Despite no answer, Ashley’s instincts told her something was wrong, and she quickly coordinated a response.
Her actions proved crucial. Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered a 7-month pregnant woman who had been a victim of domestic abuse. Thanks to Ashley’s rapid response, the suspect was promptly arrested, and the victim was given life-saving assistance.
The advanced capabilities of RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping technology played a vital role in this successful rescue. By providing precise caller location data, Ashley was able to use that pinpoint to give her the exact address of the dropped call and to coordinate an effective response, showcasing how advanced NG911 tools and human intuition can work together in emergency situations.
On July 10, 2024, RapidDeploy was thrilled to honor Ashley’s life-saving actions and present to Ashley the prestigious RapidDeploy Superstar award, which acknowledges the resourcefulness and resilience of those on the front lines. Whether it’s the first call coming in or the teams in the field, we continue to be inspired by the heroic work of first responders.
“Ashley Willis demonstrated extraordinary dedication and quick action during a critical moment,” said Steve Raucher, RapidDeploy CEO and co-founder. “We are proud to honor her life-saving actions and commitment to public safety.”
Ashley’s story is a powerful reminder of the tremendous impact first responders can have when empowered by advanced technology that enables swift response and coordination.
Watch the full award presentation, which took place at Indialantic Police Department in Florida, and catch behind-the-scenes action in our video recap below:
Do you know a colleague or friend who has shown bravery on the frontlines? We welcome you to submit a Save Story to celebrate and honor your colleagues!
For more stories like Ashley's and to learn about how RapidDeploy makes a difference in public safety, check out our save stories in action.
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