Members of the Westland Fire Department are using technology to help keep residents safe.
"When responding to a residence, there is often critical information that would assist in how we respond to that incident. Letting us know who the best point of contact is in case of an emergency, if yourself or family members have functional needs that we should prepare for, or even if you have pets we should look out for, can really help us serve you in the most effective way possible when it matters most", stated Fire Chief Darrell Stamper.
To facilitate that safety information, the fire department has implemented Community Connect, a computer application focused on protecting residents and their property in the most effective way possible during an incident or major disaster.
Community Connect is a secure, easy to use platform that allows residents to share critical information about their household. That information is often critically important to first responders and emergency service personnel and helps them respond more efficiently and effectively; ultimately resulting in better incident outcomes, Stamper noted.Community Connect is completely voluntary and residents are individually able to decide what information they are comfortable sharing. Residents simply create a profile and enter critical property and occupant information which is then made available to public safety agencies at the time of dispatch. Data provided by residents within Community Connect is 100 percent secure and is used only for the purpose of better serving the resident during emergency situations, city officials said.
In addition to residents sharing information about their family, home, pets, and critical details with the Westland Fire Department, Community Connect has also made it possible for residents to request smoke alarms right through the website.
Community Connect is now available for residents to create household profiles and begin using the service. Westland officials said they intend to listen to resident feedback and improve the service overtime.
"We are very pleased to add another element for our residents and first responders to keep us a regional leader on safe community practices. This initiative adds to our recent free business inspections, CPR training classes for the public and city staff, and the Westland Police Department's many initiatives, such as the 911 Disability Awareness Registry", said Westland Mayor Michael P. Londeau.
For more information about the Westland Community Connect visit: https://www.communityconnect.io/info/mi-westland.
