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Saving Lives Matters: Walton County Dispatcher Saves Life of Man Who Fell Overboard with RapidDeploy Technology | Walton County, FL

Courtesy of Fox10 News, Walton County Florida

Next Generation 911 Technology is Improving Outcomes – The power of RapidDeploy’s location accuracy and video technology supports a lifesaving rescue mission

Leveraging modern communications and critical data provided by our partners, Walton County Dispatcher, Heather Mayo was able to provide life-saving support in the moments that mattered most during a recent boating incident.  

  • Dispatch received a distressed call from a mobile device, expressing that her husband had fallen overboard and was drifting away
  • The integrated video feeds and accuracy of RapidLocate enabled the dispatcher to provide real-time, critical information so that the wife could successfully reach her husband and pull him back onboard the boat
  • RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping solution instantly acquired the call details, including the exact location of the boat in the Choctawhatchee Bay  
  • Leveraging RapidVideo, Radius Mapping captured live video footage from the mobile device, which helped them to coach the wife in getting the boat started so that she could reach her husband in time to save his life
  • According to Mayo, “It definitely helps our responders to be able to see what they see”
  • Specific data, ‘breadcrumbs’, plotted the exact coordinates of the boat in real-time, giving the dispatcher clarity of the direction the boat was headed  

“This technology is critical in situations where we need to see what the caller is seeing. The bay was choppy that afternoon and had we not been able to walk her through this situation, she may not have been able to retrieve her husband from the water. Every second matters when it comes to saving lives. Streamlined access to life-saving data can make all the difference. Heather Mayo was calm in a chaotic situation and was able to guide the caller throughout the entire situation.”

- Sheriff Michael Adkinson, Walton County Florida.

NG911 solutions provide critical information and the technology integrations needed to drive better outcomes. Today, RapidDeploy Radius Mapping solution is leveraged by 1,500+ emergency communications centers for:

  • Location Accuracy: Mobile location data to pinpoint callers using mobile location
  • Situational Awareness: Unified map for all data sources built to save lives and improve responder safety  
  • Modern Communications: Tools and interoperability built for communication in a digital and mobile-supported era

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Superstar Award Spotlight: How Radius Mapping Precise Location Data and Quick Thinking Saved a Life | Brevard County, FL
Florida

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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