RapidDeploy Technology Helps Pinpoint 911 Caller Locations In Seconds

(KNSI) – Over the last six months, Benton County has rolled out RapidDeploy, helping first responders reach people in need faster.

Sheriff Troy Heck explains how it works as part of the NextGen 911 system. “One of the features it does have is it allows our Public Safety Telecommunicators to send a text out to a person asking them to click a link to share their location.”

Once a person accepts the request, the call center knows where they are in seconds. Heck says they did have ‘Text to 911’ before, but that had to be initiated by the caller, whereas RapidDeploy can be started by emergency officials.

The technology is being used across the state of Minnesota. Heck says it leverages apps you use regularly, like Lyft, Uber, and even pizza delivery, that get a precise lock on your location.

Heck says he isn’t aware of a standout case where RapidDeploy obviously played a role in saving a life in his county, but he says it has been a huge help. He says other parts of the country have seen significant results.

“There was a case in California where this technology was able to rescue a kidnapping victim. So, thankfully, we haven’t had anything like that, but as I said, day to day, our telecommunicators use this to get much better, much more precise locations when people call.”

Heck says it relies on cell phone technology, which luckily comes with pretty good coverage across Benton County.

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