(Washington, DC) - Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser’s DC Office of Unified Communications (OUC) and Rave Mobile Safety (Rave), a public safety industry leader, announced the implementation of Rave Panic Button. Rave Panic Button shares crucial information like detailed caller location, floor plans, emergency exit locations, emergency contacts and key procedures with first responders so that they can quickly and precisely respond to crisis situations, such as active shooter events or medical emergencies.
The Rave Panic Button is one of many tools and new technologies which Mayor Bowser has invested in to ensure efficient communications between residents and government services. With this system in place, 9-1-1 call takers will have a clearer view of the type of emergency taking place, allowing the correct personnel to be dispatched to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
“Our city is recognized as an innovator across the globe and the steps that we are taking to help keep our citizens safe will serve as another example of how our city is at the forefront of public safety communications,” said Karima Holmes, Director of the Office of Unified Communications (OUC). “The top priority for the Mayor and our office is the safety of our residents. Making improvements to how information is shared with first responders and improving emergency response times is paramount to our mission.”
One specific use that the District will be employing Rave Panic Button for is in the DC Public and DC Public Charter Schools – which currently consists of more than 90,000 students. This implementation will empower all school employees with the ability to receive rapid notifications during emergencies and to communicate directly with 9-1-1 and first responders in real time.
The District is excited to join the more than 2,000 K-12 schools in the U.S. that currently use the Rave Panic Button to protect their students in critical situations where every second counts. Rave Panic Button was built to help teachers and administrators contact 9-1-1 via a simple five button interface that allows them to select the type of emergency – active shooter, police, fire, EMS or other – which immediately connects to 9-1-1 while simultaneously notifying selected on-site personnel of the location and nature of the emergency.
“We are thrilled to partner with the nation’s capital and to support their future-looking efforts to bring powerful emergency technology tools to their residents,” said Todd Piett, CEO of Rave Mobile Safety. “By implementing these offerings, Washington DC joins thousands of municipalities, schools, universities, hospitals, and corporations across the country that are improving their emergency communications through the power of Rave.”
The panic button technology will also integrate directly with Smart911™, an existing 9-1-1 service enhancement available in Washington, DC. This means residents, 9-1-1 and first responders will all have access to tools that allow for quicker and more effective responses to any emergency situation.
To learn more about the OUC, visit: ouc.dc.gov. For more information about Rave Panic Button, please visit: www.ravemobilesafety.com/panic-button.