Upstate County switches to a personalized alert system to improve times

Anderson County Emergency Management has transitioned from Everbridge to the Smart911 platform, providing an enhanced alert system designed to keep residents better informed and improve response times in the event of a crisis.

"Every few years, the county goes through the process of renewing the alert system to ensure that we are getting the best for Anderson County," according to Joshua Hawkins, director of Emergency Management.

The previous alert system, Everbridge, focuses on sending mass notifications to alert the public to emergencies.

Smart911 enables residents to create safety profiles that provide essential information to 911 dispatchers during emergencies, such as medical conditions or household details.

Residents can include home addresses and layouts, emergency contacts and family details, pet information, vehicle descriptions, and more.

Hawkins explained that this improved personalized approach enables dispatchers to make more informed decisions and provide more accurate information to first responders.

"By having detailed profiles, responders can ensure they are prepared with the right resources and strategies before arriving at the scene," Hawkins said.

The county typically signs a three-year contract with an alert company, and the Everbridge agreement came up for renewal.

"While Everbridge was effective at sending alerts and messages, by switching to Smart911 for $48,000 over three years, the county saves taxpayer money compared to Everbridge, which costs $51,000 for the same period," he said.

"It was a no-brainer for us to make that move," Hawkins said. "Through integrating two separate systems, we have created a more user-friendly experience for both the general public and our 911 dispatch center."

Residents who previously subscribed to the Everbridge alert system need to register on Smart911 to continue receiving emergency notifications.

Visit smart911.com or download the Smart911 app to create your safety profile.

The Smart911 app is available for free download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 

The details provided are only accessible to 911 dispatchers and emergency personnel during an active emergency call.

Hawkins said that while the county still has access to information from the previous Everbridge system, residents must register with Smart911. This ensures that they can fully customize their alerts and receive all available updates tailored to their specific needs.

"We want to make sure everyone gets the most comprehensive and personalized alert experience possible," Hawkins said.

Smart911's personalized alert system also allows citizens to receive notifications from Anderson County and the National Weather Service once they sign up.

If you plan to go on vacation, you can temporarily update your location within the system to ensure you receive any relevant emergency alerts for that area.

This feature is handy during the ongoing hurricane season, providing timely updates and warnings to keep citizens informed and safe.

Abbeville County and Oconee County have already adopted Smart911, integrating it into their emergency response systems to enhance public safety.

Likewise, Clemson University utilizes Smart911 capabilities to ensure the safety and well-being of its students and staff.

It is unclear if Smart911 is currently active in Greenville, SC. However, counties in the Upstate of South Carolina, including Anderson, Abbeville, and Oconee have adopted the Smart911 emergency alert system. 

Greenville does have its own system for sending emergency notifications. The City of Greenville uses a map-based computer program to send alerts to residents in specific geographic areas. Additionally, the City of Greenville now has a "Text to 911" service available, which allows residents to text for emergency services.