Smart911 is a free and secure service available to residents of Hennepin County that allows you to create a personal safety profile for your household. This information is automatically displayed to 911 dispatchers and first responders if you place an emergency call from a phone associated with your profile.
The service was adopted by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office to improve emergency communication and response time. Since a majority of 911 calls now come from cell phones, which provide limited caller information, a Smart911 profile gives dispatchers crucial details they would not otherwise have access to.
How Smart911 works in Hennepin County
You sign up online or through the mobile app to create a Safety Profile for your household.
You can enter as much or as little information as you want. Examples include:
-
- Household members and associated phone numbers
- Medical conditions, medications, and allergies
- Photos and physical descriptions, especially useful for individuals with special needs
- Home details, such as layout, utility shut-off locations, and information on pets or service animals
- Vehicle descriptions
- Emergency contacts
If you call 911 from a registered phone number, your Safety Profile automatically appears on the dispatcher's screen.
This pre-loaded information can be life-saving if a caller is unable to speak due to a medical emergency, a threatening situation, or a poor cell connection. The dispatcher can relay these vital details to emergency crews while they are en route.
Your information is encrypted and only accessible to authorized emergency personnel if you initiate a 911 call.
The service is available nationwide. If you travel to another community that uses Smart911 and need to call 911, your profile will still be accessible.
Local alerts and notifications
The Smart911 system can also be used for sending public safety alerts and notifications.
- Customizable alerts: Users can sign up for targeted alerts regarding severe weather, traffic incidents, road closures, or public safety issues. You can choose to receive these alerts via text, email, or phone call.
- Opt-in services: Many Hennepin County communities, like Edina and Minneapolis, manage their own alerts through Smart911. For example, you can text a specific keyword to a shortcode to subscribe to alerts for that city.
How to sign up
You can create a free Smart911 Safety Profile by visiting the website at Smart911.com and choose to sign up. You can also download the Smart911 app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. You will be prompted to log in and confirm your information every six months to ensure it is current.
Frequently asked questions
In Hennepin County, a Smart911 Safety Profile can include a wide range of information beyond medical details that can assist first responders. This information is particularly valuable when a caller is unable to speak or provide clear information due to panic, a dangerous situation, or a poor cell connection.
Details helpful for first responders
- Property information: Critical details about your home, such as the layout, photos of the interior and exterior, or locations of utility shut-offs. This can help fire departments plan their response and ensure their safety.
- Special needs: Indicate if a household member has a physical or mental disability, a behavioral or medical condition, or uses specific communication devices. You can also upload a photo and physical description of vulnerable individuals to help locate them if they wander.
- Mental health history: First responders can better assess and de-escalate situations if they are aware of a person's mental health needs.
- Emergency contacts: List family members or other trusted individuals to notify in an emergency.
- Pet information: Specify the number and type of pets in the home, including service animals. This helps first responders account for all occupants and ensure pets are not harmed during a rescue.
- Vehicle details: List vehicle descriptions, makes, and license plates. This can help dispatchers and officers identify a vehicle in case of a theft.
- Gate or access codes: Provide codes to gated communities, apartment buildings, or home access codes to grant first responders quick and easy entry.
- Functional needs registry: If you have special needs that would require assistance during an evacuation, you can opt to make this information available to Emergency Management agencies for their planning purposes.
- Primary language: If English is not your primary language, you can specify this in your profile to ensure an interpreter is dispatched.
Hypothetical Smart911 Safety Profile
Main Account Holder: Jane Doe
Associated Phone Numbers:
Associated Phone Numbers:
- (612) 555-1234 (Mobile)
- (763) 555-4321 (Landline)
- (612) 555-9876 (Work)
Home Address:
- Primary Residence: 1234 Main Street, Dayton, MN 55327
- Home Details: Two-story blue house with white trim. The key is in a lockbox next to the back door, code 54321. The utility shut-offs are in the basement furnace room.
Household Members:
- Jane Doe: 45, Female. Known medical conditions: Type 1 diabetes (carries an insulin pump) and severe bee allergy (carries an EpiPen). Takes insulin and metoprolol daily.
- John Doe: 48, Male. Known medical conditions: Hypertension.
- Child 1: 12, Male.
- Child 2: 9, Female.
Pets and Animals:
- Dog: Max, Golden Retriever, 8 years old, yellow. Friendly but protective. Has a microchip.
- Cat: Bella, black cat, indoor only. Skittish around strangers.
Vehicles:
- Vehicle 1: 2020 Honda Odyssey, gray. License plate: ABC-567.
- Vehicle 2: 2018 Ford Escape, blue. License plate: XYZ-123.
Emergency Contacts:
- Primary Contact: Jane's Sister, Mary Smith. Phone: (612) 555-1111.
- Secondary Contact: Neighbor, Bob Johnson. Phone: (763) 555-0000.
Special Notes/Other Information:
- Jane and John have a ring doorbell with a security camera at the front door.
- The house has a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector system.
- Firefighters and EMTs should be aware that there are children in the home.
When Jane or John calls 911 from a registered phone, this entire profile is automatically displayed to the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office dispatcher. This gives them crucial information instantly, allowing for a faster, more tailored response
There are no significant limitations on the type of information you can include in a Smart911 Safety Profile. The service is voluntary and designed to be customized by the user, who can provide as little or as much detail as they feel comfortable sharing.
You control what is entered into your Safety Profile, with categories designed to organize critical information for first responders.
Common information included in a Smart911 profile
- Household Members: Names, photos, physical descriptions, and basic information for all residents, including any special needs.
- Medical Information: A person's medical conditions, disabilities, medications, allergies, and mental health history.
- Home Details: Information about your residence, such as utility shut-off locations, property layout, and home access instructions like gate codes.
- Contacts: Emergency contacts to be notified in case of an emergency.
- Vehicles: Descriptions of personal vehicles, including the make, model, color, and license plate number.
- Pets and Service Animals: Details about any pets or service animals in the home, which can alert responders to their presence and needs.
Special registries and considerations
- Functional Needs Registry: For individuals with special needs, you can provide details about potential evacuation difficulties or equipment you rely on.
- Emergency Management Sharing: In some jurisdictions, you can choose to make some profile information available to Emergency Management agencies to assist with planning and response during large-scale incidents.
- Business Information: Business owners can also create a profile to provide details like floor plans, after-hours access procedures, and locations of hazardous materials.
No limits on the number of entries
You can add multiple phone numbers, addresses (for home, work, or vacation), and people to a single profile. This allows a single household account to cover all residents and their different contact points.