Martin County Sheriff's Office launches new 911 live video calling system
MARTIN COUNTY — The Sheriff's Office launched a 911 live video call system on May 1 that allows first responders to see what's going on at the site before they arrive.
Sheriff's officials began testing the system earlier in the week, working out the bugs, but it's now live. It works with iPhones and Androids.
The Sheriff's Office, Martin County Fire Rescue, Stuart Police, Sewall's Point Police, and Jupiter Island Public Safety all are using the new system.
Here's how it works: When someone calls 911, a dispatcher will ask if they can send the caller a link that will allow them to be on a one-way video call with the dispatcher. The link is for a one-time use and once the call has ended, the Sheriff's Office does not have access to the caller's phone.
Kasey Mundt, public safety telecommunicator, demonstrates how the new live video call works on May 1, 2025. Martin County Sheriff's Office officially launched the system on May 1.
Instead of dispatchers having to relay information to first responders, dispatch will be able to share the video so first responders know what they are getting into before arriving at an address.
"We do a lot of runs with Fire Rescue, so if we get a car crash or a rollover crash, we can more efficiently determine what resources need to go out there," Sheriff John Budensiek said.
Budensiek said not every 911 call will use the new system, it will depend on the nature of the call. He said, for example, a call about a hit-and-run crash could show which way the car was leaving and how bad someone's injuries are.
"It will be a case-by-case basis," Budensiek said. "Dispatchers kind of have a feel, they know when the right timing is."
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Kasey Mundt, a public safety telecommunicator, said it gives dispatchers a clear picture of what is going on in the eyes of the person who is calling.
"A lot of the times when somebody is in a situation and they can't really think clearly, it gives us kind of a second eye to see what's going on," Mundt said.
Mundt said she is excited to use the new system because first responders will be able to respond quicker and have a better idea of what they are responding to. She said a common problem is not having enough descriptive information from callers, so the system should help with that issue.
Dispatchers did an online training for the new system and Mundt said they are able to go back to review things and see step-by-step what they need to do and how they need to do it.
Olivia Franklin is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Olivia on X @Livvvvv_5 or reach her by phone at 317-627-8048. E-mail her at olivia.franklin@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Martin County launches new 911 live video calling system May 1 2025
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