AUSTIN, Texas (April 16, 2024) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – RapidDeploy, the leading cloud-native solution provider for public safety, has proudly awarded Maui County 911 with the prestigious RapidDeploy Superstar Award in recognition of their exceptional performance during the wildfires that devastated Maui on August 8, 2023.
Maui County telecommunicators played a pivotal role in responding to the catastrophic fires, answering over 4,500 calls in a single day, nearly triple the usual volume. Despite the immense pressure and uncertainty, the telecommunicators remained steadfast in their commitment to public safety, guiding community members to safety and coordinating an exceptional emergency response effort.
"The Maui County team demonstrated extraordinary courage and dedication during one of the most challenging disasters in recent history," said Steve Raucher, RapidDeploy CEO and co-founder. "Their selfless actions and tireless efforts saved lives and protected the community during a time of crisis."
RapidDeploy's Next Generation 911 (NG911) technology empowers telecommunicators with advanced tools and capabilities, including access to precise caller locations, text messaging with callers, and the ability to initiate video calls. The innovative features of RapidDeploy's Radius Mapping technology played a critical role in supporting Maui County telecommunicators during the wildfires, enabling them to coordinate resources and deliver life-saving assistance efficiently.
"We're proud to honor the Maui County team for their heroic actions and unwavering commitment to public safety," added Raucher. "Their exemplary service sets a standard of excellence for emergency response nationwide."
The Superstar Award reflects RapidDeploy's ongoing commitment to recognize first responders' extraordinary efforts and highlight innovative technology's impact on emergency response. By showcasing real-life examples of heroism and the capabilities of RapidDeploy's NG911 solutions, RapidDeploy aims to inspire and empower first responders with access to mission-critical data to drive faster, more effective emergency responses.
Maui Police Department Chief John Pelletier expressed his gratitude for the award and its potential impact on recruitment efforts, stating, "Awards like this showcase the vital role of telecommunicators and help attract top talent to our department. We're proud to recognize our telecommunicators as the true heroes they are."
RapidDeploy has shared a video capturing this Superstar Award story and ceremony here. For more information about RapidDeploy and its technology solutions for public safety, visit www.rapiddeploy.com.
About RapidDeploy:
Founded in 2016, and based in Austin, TX, RapidDeploy is the leading cloud-native platform for public safety. We provide Next Generation 911 solutions that deliver intelligent information throughout the emergency response journey, empowering agencies and first responders to drive better outcomes in mission-critical situations. With a curated partner network, our platform combines mobile signals, critical datasets, and call information into a single operating system, improving emergency response with location accuracy, situational awareness, modern communications, and actionable insights. Our products improve outcomes and ultimately save lives. In 2024, RapidDeploy earned recognition for the 7th year in a row as a prominent company to watch on the GovTech 100 list, and as a winner on Fast Company’s 2024 Most Innovative Company list. Learn more at www.rapiddeploy.com.
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RapidDeploy honors Communications Officer II Meghan Gonzalez for her heroic efforts and incredible use of RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping to rescue a victim in Riverside County California.
In the line of duty, when every moment matters, the combination of intuition, expertise, and technology can make all the difference. This narrative isn’t just another tale of exceptional dedication; it’s a testament to the impact that Next Generation 911 and today’s telecommunicators have on impacting emergency response outcomes.
The Night of the Call
On May 2, 2023, Communications Officer II Meghan Gonzalez of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office received an open line 911 call. All she could hear were faint shuffles and the dinging of a car door.
Many would have dismissed this as an accidental dial, but Meghan’s intuition told her otherwise. RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping solution is used daily throughout hundreds of 911 call centers in California and played a vital role in helping Meghan effectively locate and communicate with a distressed caller during a life-threatening situation.
Power of Technology
Whether it’s real-time location signals, text communication (with translation in over 70 languages), or live video – Radius Mapping delivers critical real-time information and supports modern communication for all 911 calls.
Without hesitation, Meghan took action, leveraging Radius Mapping to locate the caller, track her whereabouts and initiate 2-way text, which helped gather the critical intelligence needed to successfully dispatch and rescue the victim.
In a race against time, Meghan initiated a priority 1 response, guiding law enforcement to the victim’s GPS coordinates obtained from Radius Mapping.
Simultaneously, as field responders made their way to the scene, Meghan maintained live text communication with the victim, who shared that she was in the trunk of a vehicle and provided details about the suspect.
These critical details lead to a successful life-saving emergency response. The victim was saved, and the suspect was arrested.
Here’s how text-from-911 works:
Text-to-911 allows a person in need of emergency assistance to receive a text message from a telecommunicator within the Emergency Communication Center (ECC). Two-way, real-time text has proven to be incredibly valuable for callers who may not be able to speak in an emergency such as:
With SMS, the Telecommunicator can track the caller’s location and effectively communicate, gathering information that enhances situational awareness and supports a more effective response.
Recognition for Excellence
On October 17th, RapidDeploy’s CEO and Co-founder, Steve Raucher, visited the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office to present Meghan with the RapidDepoy Superstar Award.
The Superstar Award recognizes heroes and individuals in emergency call centers and public safety answering points nationwide, by highlighting the 911 emergencies where RapidDeploy played a role in supporting a better outcome, from delivering the right mission-critical data to saving lives.
The quarterly award is reserved for those who make a life-saving impact, demonstrate exceptional use of RapidDeploy technology, and continue to enhance emergency response throughout their community.
RapidDeploy applauds Meghan for her dedication to life-saving work, unwavering intuition, and for harnessing the power of Radius Mapping to improve emergency outcomes.
Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is setting a great example of how Next Generation 911 solutions can make a life-saving difference.
Watch the video to hear directly from the team at Riverside County Sheriff’s Office:
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