Latest news with #RapidSOS
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
She was drifting from shore in Lake Ontario on a paddle board. A new 911 system helped Hamilton police locate her
It was just after 5 p.m. Tuesday when Hamilton police dispatch received a 911 call from a woman drifting on Lake Ontario. She was on a paddle board without an oar, being carried away from the shore near Beach Boulevard. It just so happened that Tuesday also marked Hamilton's official transition to the Next Generation 911 (NG-911) network, upgrading from the old analogue, copper wire phone system, to digital, said Lisa Osika, the PSAP (public safety answering point) co-ordinator for Hamilton police. The service switched over at 6 a.m. that day. Hamilton is among the first 10 communities in Ontario to transition to NG-911, which all municipalities are required by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's (CRTC) to do by the end of March 2027. The new system meant that police could pinpoint the woman's location with greater accuracy. Patrol officers responded and at first could see the woman from shore, but she soon drifted out of sight, Osika said. She was still on the phone with dispatch. Prior to the transition, Hamilton also began using a public safety program called RapidSOS. In Canada, the program only works on Apple's iOS operating system, she said. Users can allow emergency services to see their phone and even add in extra health information, such as allergies or where to find medicine, in case of an emergency. On Tuesday, dispatch noticed the woman on the water had RapidSOS and, using that, they were able to follow her movement. Osika said this program shows up on the screen with a yellow star that left a 'bread crumb trail' they could follow as the woman drifted farther. Using this information, dispatch shared the woman's location with the coast guard, who were able to rescue her safely. Other benefits of the NG-911 system include stronger security and better backup capabilities, Osika said. For instance, if multiple calls come from the same number, they are automatically merged so dispatch can see the full picture. Right now, there are special text 911 features for registered deaf and hard of hearing people — but the expectation is that eventually, texting 911 will be available everywhere. Once the whole country is using NG-911, dispatch will be able to share and access information from calls anywhere in Canada. Nicole O'Reilly is a reporter at The Hamilton Spectator. noreilly@ Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CBC
13-05-2025
- General
- CBC
P.E.I. Firefighters Association says new call-location technology has already been useful
P.E.I. fire departments have new tech to help pinpoint where emergency cell calls are coming from 37 minutes ago Duration 2:10 Fire departments across P.E.I. have implemented new technology that makes responding to emergencies called in using a cellphone much faster and more accurate. It's called RapidSOS, and it shares the location of incoming 911 calls to give first responders more pinpointed information about where an emergency is. Departments expect it to help them get to the scene much faster when there's no civic address nearby — for example, when someone is out on a boat, in a forest or a large farm field, or at a major outdoor concert. Tim Jenkins of the P.E.I. Firefighters Association said it's already proved useful in the month since it's been operating here. "It could easily save you a half an hour, an hour finding somebody," he said. "There's been a number of calls on P.E.I. where it has come in handy, on the Rails-to-Trails [network] and in the water. It's spring; things are happening on the water now. "We can see where that boat is out in the water if they're having some type of emergency, be it medical or fire or an accident on a boat," he added. "It shows us the location of that phone calling so we can see where they are in reference to where we're launching a boat." It would also be of benefit if a 911 call came in from an injured forester or farmer. "Farmers, for example, could be anywhere on 50 acres and they have a single address... We can see from that where that phone is, so what field they're in, or what part of that field they might be in," Jenkins said. Then there are events like the Cavendish Beach Music Festival. "With the concerts we're have in P.E.I. [attracting] 25,000 to 30,000 people, you can actually see what part of the concert field that they might be in, calling 911 from." How it works When a 911 call is made using a cellphone, location information is shared through the RapidSOS system and sent to those who need it. The exact location of that phone will be shared for 10 minutes after a call is made, and sent to first responders using an app called IamResponding, which is also owned by RapidSOS. After 10 minutes, updated location data won't be shared anymore, so callers won't have to worry about their phone being constantly tracked. "From the 911 call, it'll actually track the phone with breadcrumbs, so if you're walking through the woods, it'll show us the direction you're walking for that 10 minutes," said Jenkins. "Because it's personal information, nobody can just track your phone, unless you call 911. For 10 minutes, first responders know where that call is coming from." Not just for fires Jenkins said this kind of location data is useful for other situations where danger may not be as obvious, like seeing smoke from a fire. "It could be someone who fell off a cliff, you know. If you got to [search] the whole cliff to find them, it'll take a long time," he said. Jenkins said this kind of location information was available to 911 operators before, but not in a format that could be shared digitally with responders nearing the scene. He spoke of the difficulty of "trying to relay that information over the phone from a dispatch to a firefighter who's looking over a cliff, and they don't know where each other is. "It's much easier to look at your phone and it's there."
Chicago Tribune
17-04-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Porter County 911 dispatchers get closure after meeting Matt Reum, trapped in his pickup for six days
It takes a special person not only to do the job of the 911 dispatcher, remaining cool under pressure for 12-hour shifts, but also to accept not knowing what becomes of the people you're helping after your colleagues arrive on scene and the call ends. Wednesday afternoon in celebration of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, Porter County E911 dispatchers enjoyed some rare closure with a visit from the survivior of one of the more dramatic emergencies they've worked and the men who found him. Matt Reum, of South Bend, was found by two fishermen under the Salt Creek Bridge on westbound Interstate 80/94 on the afternoon of Dec. 26, 2023, having been pinned by the engine block of his pickup truck for six days. Mario Garcia, of Hobart, and his son-in-law Nivardo De La Torre, of Portage, saw his barely-visible truck thanks to late-afternoon sun glinting off the metal. Upon closer investigation they found Reum inside and unconscious. 'I just seen the airbag and then I got the chills,' Garcia said. Reum soon woke up and was very happy to see them having survived on water he filtered through a pair of sweatpants as it dripped from a highway drainage pipe just above his sunroof. De La Torre called 911 and got Porter County E911 Dispatch Supervisor Jeremy Nemeth on the line. 'You were an amazing caller!' Nemeth praised him as De La Torre's wife, children, and mother-in-law looked on. 'He used a really revolutionary technology to locate you,' E911 Director Debby Gunn told De La Torre. 'It's called Rapid SOS.' Reum said he didn't realize how hard the terrain his truck had rolled down until he visited the site last month. Firefighters had to cut a path through brush to get to him. 'Looking at the pictures and everything, that was a complex rescue,' Nemeth agreed of the scene handled by Portage Police and Fire and Burns Harbor Fire Department. Nemeth said it was random that he picked up the call that day and everyone in the dispatch center helped out on the call. 'It literally takes the whole team to get this accomplished,' he said. 'We're always helping each other out.' 'Jeremy's a unicorn. Aside from a dispatcher, he's also a volunteer firefighter,' Gunn said of Nemeth, who was voted Dispatcher of the Year by his peers. Despite 13 years as a dispatcher and 12 as a volunteer firefighter with the Lakes of the Four Seasons Volunteer Fire Force, Reum's visit was the first time Nemeth got to follow up with someone he'd assisted. 'A lot of calls, we never know what happens in the end,' he said. While follow-up stories in The Post-Tribune documented Reum's survival, it was touch and go for a bit following his rescue. 'The firefighters, they didn't think I was going to make it to the hospital once the engine was taken off my legs,' he said. Reum survived being airlifted and a stay in intensive care that included the amputation of his left leg at the knee. He had 18 breaks to bones of his right hand and had reconstructive surgery last month to repair tears to every ligament in his thumb, as well as muscle tears. He still has to have a rod in his hand removed, but that hasn't stopped him from taking up writing. Reum published a book, 'Still Standing: The Seven Miracles of Matthew Reum.' That has led to some speaking engagements that have helped fill the days as the former boilermaker ponders a new career. 'Workwise, I can't physically do like I did before,' said the 28-year-old, who has a long life ahead that he hopes will include the launch of a non-profit to provide prosthetic limbs to the homeless. 'I don't think anybody can go through something like this and not have an appreciation for life,' he said. And for those who helped save it. 'I don't think there's enough ways for languages to say, 'Thank you,'' Reum said.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Arlo Technologies Inc (ARLO) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Subscription Growth and ...
Release Date: February 27, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Arlo Technologies Inc (NYSE:ARLO) achieved significant growth in its subscription business, with annual recurring revenue (ARR) surpassing $250 million, growing over 20% year-over-year. The company reported a gross margin on service revenue above 80%, highlighting the efficiency and profitability of its subscription model. Arlo Technologies Inc (NYSE:ARLO) has nearly 11 million registered accounts and over 4.5 million paid subscribers, demonstrating strong customer acquisition and retention. The company is expanding its product lineup with the largest device launch in its history, expected to drive further growth and increase shelf space at major retailers. Arlo Technologies Inc (NYSE:ARLO) has formed strategic partnerships, such as with Rapid SOS and Origin Wireless, to enhance its service offerings and expand its market reach. The cost of customer acquisition increased from $100 to $200 in 2024, impacting profitability despite strong subscription growth. Product revenue declined by $22.1 million compared to the prior year, reflecting challenges in the hardware segment. Aggressive promotional activities in Q4 2024 led to decreased average selling prices (ASPs) and a decline in product gross margins. The company anticipates a potential temporary increase in churn due to the transition of subscribers to new service plans. Despite strong performance, Arlo Technologies Inc (NYSE:ARLO) trades at a lower revenue multiple compared to peers, suggesting that its market value may not fully reflect its growth potential. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 2 Warning Sign with ARLO. Q: Can you break down the factors contributing to the $300 million services revenue target for 2025? A: Kurt Binder, COO and CFO, explained that the target is driven by several factors, including ARPU expansion, increased subscriber volume, strategic partnerships, and favorable mix shifts. The company expects continued pricing increases and subscriber growth, supported by strategic partnerships and sales incentives. Q: How will the transition to the new services platform affect existing subscribers, and how will you manage churn? A: Matt McCray, CEO, stated that the transition involves migrating existing subscribers to new plans based on consumer behavior data. The transition is expected to be completed by the end of February. While there might be a temporary increase in churn, the company expects it to stabilize within the historical range of 1.1% to 1.3%. Q: With the largest device launch in company history coming up, how does this compare to previous launches, and why is product revenue growth expected to decline in 2025? A: Matt McCray highlighted that the launch will refresh nearly every camera in their lineup and expand into new segments. Kurt Binder added that despite the large launch, aggressive promotional activity and declining ASPs are expected to result in a decline in product revenue growth. Q: How do you view the current customer acquisition cost (CAC) and its impact on the LTV/CAC ratio? A: Matt McCray noted that the current LTV/CAC ratio of 4 is considered world-class, and the company aims to maintain it between 3.5 and 5. The ratio may fluctuate as they optimize household formation and subscription growth. Q: What is the expected rebound in product margins following the negative 12% in Q4? A: Kurt Binder indicated that while Q4 was heavily promotional, they expect product margins to rebound in Q1, potentially reaching neutral or positive levels, depending on market conditions. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Yahoo
‘It's that quick': New technology in Hampton Roads 911 call centers could save time and lives
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — This time last year, if you tried to call 911, the call taker would get your phone number and an estimated idea of where you were. When you're trying to get police or fire to your location, every second counts. Taking the time to explain the situation when you're in shock or having a medical emergency may not be possible. Thanks to new technology, call takers will not only be able to see exactly where you are in real-time, but also any medical history you choose to share using your phone. It's all possible through , a software used by public safety agencies such as Norfolk Emergency Services. 'It's called RapidSOS,' said Steven Summerlin, operations supervisor for E911 with the Norfolk Police Department. 'It's something that most Apple phone users have on their phone. They just have to allow that information to be available to us.' Previously: Southside cities enter 911 call center agreement From medical information to location details, the information can be lifesaving. The location features can provide blueprints from participating schools of their campus, and even live updates if you're walking or are in a moving vehicle. What if you're in a high-rise building and aren't sure what floor you're on? They've got that covered too — by being able to see your altitude. 'If you're in a building downtown, and you didn't know which floor you were on, we can look at the altitude, give that to fire-rescue personnel and say, 'Hey, we have a caller calling from this altitude,'' Summerlin said. 'They would have the ability to try to estimate where that is, so we're not searching multiple floors for no reason.' Some Norfolk private schools have already provided their blueprints to E911, allowing them to respond to calls more efficiently. For example, if E911 gets a call from a student who says they're in the art classroom, the call taker and first responders can see from the caller's location and the blueprint where that is in the school. This helps responding police or fire-rescue crews know exactly what area to stage at and enter the school, because they can access the same information while getting to the caller's location. Whether you have an Android or an Apple phone, the location services are already on for you. If you need to share any kind of health information, you can input that as well. It does look different depending on the phone type you use. In the near future, call takers will also have access to view responding police officers' body cameras on their computer screens after assigning an officer to a call. Stay with for more local news, weather and traffic. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
