Most institutions (schools, universities, hospitals, office buildings) have an emergency protocol in place. That protocol, however, mostly relies on being able to contact the authorities in time. Notification and response times in violent incidents are crucial factors in the success of an intervention.
What happens when the traditional lines of communication are jammed, though? The response of the authorities is delayed, which can have severe consequences and result in lost human lives.
This is why it’s important to have access to a means of communication with the authorities and first-responders that is vetted and trusted. Guard911’s suite of emergency alert apps is now verified by and listed on FirstNet—a major recognition for our solutions and an extra benefit for all using Guard911 and in the Hero911 Network.
What Is FirstNet?
FirstNet is America’s public safety network, the first app catalog that features first responder applications and solutions. FirstNet’s catalog has more than 160 public-safety-geared apps.
For individual, organizational, and corporate users, FirstNet is the go-to platform for finding security and safety solutions tailored to their needs. With national coverage, FirstNet’s mission is to improve public safety for everyone and to offer solutions at citizens’ fingertips.
Moreover, FirstNet helps bridge the gap between first responders and the citizens that need their help through mobile modern technology. Its continuous expansion in recent years shows that we still have a ways to go in public communication and information regarding safety, as well as in implementing recent technologies in this field.
What Does it Mean to Be Listed on FirstNet?
Guard911, SchoolGuard, CampusGuard911, and Hero911 are all listed on FirstNet. For that to happen, they all had to pass rigorous testing and stringent conditions. Some of the areas these tests and conditions covered are:
- Security
- Data privacy
- Relevancy
- Quality
For the Guard911 users, this means extra peace of mind. You can rest assured that our applications have been vetted by yet another independent body, after being the ONLY emergency alert apps in the country backed by the federally approved Hero911 Network, which is comprised of more than 67,000 federal, state, and local officers.
In case of an armed intruder emergency, our users’ calls made via the app also contact all officers within the Hero911 Network in close proximity to the alert, on top of the officers that respond through 911 dispatch. More importantly, our apps give you the solution every organization needs: a way to call the authorities when a regular call can’t be made, which is usually the case in violent or armed intruder emergencies.
You don’t have to put yourself at risk by making a call. All you need to do is push a button on your smartphone and you will have notified the authorities for instant notification and their expedited response. It’s simple, it’s fast (remember that notification and response times are crucial), and it’s safe.
Furthermore, in an emergency, even if lines of communication are jammed for consumers, schools and other protected properties can be reassured that Guard911 communications will be given top priority over the FirstNet network.
If a large-scale event happens and communication lines get tied up, the apps on the FirstNet network will take priority. So if there’s an intruder emergency and everyone is trying to connect with loved ones, the emergency communication through Guard911 and Hero911 is more reliable. Thus, our presence on FirstNet doesn’t just mean that our solutions are vetted and trusted, but also improve situational awareness.
Final Thoughts
Safety and security aren’t things that should be taken lightly. At Guard911, we always emphasize the importance of staying informed and of choosing reliable information sources when it comes to your own safety or creating an emergency plan for your organization or building.
Choosing a panic alert app is even more important. The app you choose can make the difference between life and death. This is why it is crucial to choose an emergency alert app that has been vetted by third-party independent evaluators and has passed rigorous testing.
Ever since Guard911 was founded, we have continuously worked on improving our apps. Being listed on FirstNet is a recognition of our efforts. But this doesn’t mean that we’re stopping here. As new technologies become available and old technologies evolve, we will keep on making sure that our users have access to the best ways of ensuring their safety in case of emergencies.
Is your company, organization, school, or church looking for a modern solution to ensure safety? Guard911 is the third-party and federal-vetted application you’ve been looking for. Get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to help you increase the safety of your building or campus. (618) 973-9174