Smart911: Where it’s spreading, and why first responders want you to join

Alexandria (VA) is the latest locality in the DC area to join Smart911, a system that allows users to create a safety profile that first responders see when responding to calls for help. Information you can load in the system might include medical conditions, pets, emergency contact numbers and hazardous materials first responders might encounter, such as oxygen tanks and floor plans. “You can put in information about your location beyond the address,” City of Alexandria spokesman Craig Fifer said — “if you live in a basement apartment or if you have a guest residence in an outbuilding [in] your backyard. All of these pieces of information could help responders find the person who’s placing the call.”