Livingston County in Michigan has implemented Eagle Eye 911 Camera Sharing to improve emergency responses, Eagle Eye Networks has announced.
According to the company, this technology turns standard security cameras into a powerful resource for 911 Emergency Communications Center telecommunicators (911 professionals).
“It’s all about response time: the key to saving lives, curtailing damage and rapidly resolving an emergency of any kind – whether it’s a natural disaster, fire, mass shooting or other criminal activity – is getting accurate information to first responders so they can take quick, decisive action,” said Mike Murphy, Livingston County Sheriff.
The company highlights that while security cameras are ubiquitous at schools and businesses, 911 telecommunicators typically cannot access them in an emergency.
Eagle Eye 911 Camera Sharing changes that by giving telecommunicators instant access to live video from one or multiple security cameras when a 911-triggered emergency occurs, empowering them to quickly deliver critical incident information to first responders through a partnership with RapidSOS.
Telecommunicators generally rely on verbal information from 911 callers.
Now, with Camera Sharing, the telecommunicator can also have “eyes on the scene” and, within seconds, gather an immense amount of information.
“Camera Sharing gives us a real-time view of the situation at hand as it’s unfolding,” said Kecia Williams, 911 Director, Livingston County 911 Central Dispatch.
“Lots of times it takes a while to attain pertinent information from a 911 caller because they’re distraught or not clear.
“With Camera Sharing, we can instantly see for ourselves what’s going on and we can get this information to the fire department, EMS or law enforcement much quicker.”
Dean Drako, CEO of Eagle Eye Networks added: “Livingston County is a prime example of a growing trend we’re seeing in the US where entire communities – schools, businesses, public safety officials and community leaders – are working together to ensure they are prepared as possible for emergency situations.”