Technology offers many perks and purposes for its users.
This year, it helped emergency personnel save someone’s life.
Jeremy Schmeltzer experienced an asthma attack while cleaning a guinea pig cage in April, according to a release from Prince William County.
After attempting to use his inhaler and nebulizer — both of which were unsuccessful — he called 911.
Telecommunicator Jeanette Watson received his call and couldn’t understand Schmeltzer, who was unable to talk.
Watson’s co-worker typed Schmeltzer’s cell phone number into a RapidSOS system. It can trace a cell phone’s location.
“We pinpointed [the address],” Watson said in a release. “I put it in, and as soon as I did that, I let him know that … we were getting somebody out there.”
This allowed responders to find the correct home and assist Schmeltzer.
The RapidSOS system is one way county officials have updated its emergency services.
“Real-time location accuracy technology is the latest improvement we’ve made, and we’ve proven that it is absolutely critical to have in this day and age to help save lives,” Public Safety Communications Director Eddie Reyes said in a release.
During a revent visit to the emergency communications center, Schmeltzer met those who saved his life.
“That was one of the worst days I ever had,” he said in a release. “If wasn’t for the combination of all the efforts of everybody in this room … I would not be here right now.”
