Smart911 emergency service comes to Hainesville

Village officials in Hainesville put out the call this week for residents to sign up for Smart911, a service they say can provide first responders with more information during an emergency.

When residents of villages that use the service create a profile at Smart911's website, they include whatever information they want 911 and police response teams to have in an emergency. That information will be automatically displayed to the 911 dispatcher, according to a news release issued by the village of Hainesville Wednesday.

Residents can include descriptions of family members as well as important medical information and preferred medical providers that could be pertinent in an emergency. They also can add information about pets in the house.

Grayslake Police Chief Phil Perlini said the service can save time and ultimately the lives of residents.

"The additional information provided in a Smart911 Safety Profile enables us to know exactly where we are going and who we are looking for in a house fire or at the scene of a vehicle accident," Pelini said. "Those details can help us respond faster and more efficiently."

Grayslake residents have been able to sign up for the service since November. Grayslake police provide emergency services for Hainesville, which closed its police department in 2010. Last year the agreement between the two villages was extended until 2025.

Smart911 is available in more than 1,500 municipalities in 40 states. Hainesville residents can sign up at www.smart911.com.