Press release from Henderson County:
The Hendersonville Fire Department is excited to announce the launch of Community Connect, an application focused on protecting residents and their property in the most effective way possible during an incident or major disaster.“There is often critical information that would assist our team when we are dispatched to a call,” said Hendersonville Fire Marshal Michael Ostrander. “By providing information about their household, City of Hendersonville residents can help us know about potential hazards, family member’s mobility needs, or if pets may be in their home. The information they share can save time and help us protect what matters to them most.”Community Connect is a secure, easy to use platform that allows residents to share critical information about their household in order to aid emergency service personnel to respond more efficiently and effectively; ultimately resulting in better incident outcomes. In addition to the residential portal, Community Connect also helps business owners and managers keep people at their commercial properties safe by giving firefighters access to critical documents such as evacuation procedures, occupant rosters, hazardous material lists and more.Fire Marshal Ostrander also explained business owners can designate contacts at properties to receive immediate alerts via text message when firefighters are dispatched to the building address.Community Connect is completely voluntary and residents are individually able to decide which information they are comfortable sharing. Residents simply create a profile and enter critical property and occupant information which is then made available to the Hendersonville Fire Department at the time of dispatch. Data provided by residents within Community Connect is 100% secure and is used only for the purpose of better serving the resident during emergency situations.The fire department has been working closely with technology partner First Due to release Community Connect in Hendersonville to build a safer community through prevention, preparedness and response.The public may also be familiar with Smart911, a program used in Henderson County and the City of Hendersonville that allows the public to share information with telecommunicators when they dial 9-1-1. Community Connect is not a replacement for Smart911 but should be used as an additional tool to connect first responders with the information they need to respond to emergencies quickly and efficiently.To learn more about Community Connect and to create your profile, please visit www.hendersonvillenc.gov/community-connect
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