New safety app launching to make 911 calls more accurate

You might’ve heard the saying "There’s an app for that" and there usually is. Now, there’s an app that helps bridge the gap between the community and 911.

Heather Joyner is the assistant director of communications for Franklin County and when she came across the e-BodyGuard app, she knew it was something her community needed.

"e-BodyGuard is definitely an application that works," said Joyner.

The app uses GPS to share a caller's exact location - and sends it to 911 operators when you’re in an emergency.

”This actually puts more data into the hands of the telecommunicator as well as to the responders that we would not have otherwise," said Joyner.

Here’s how it works:

• You enter your name, phone number, email and create a password.
• It will then ask you to confirm your phone number in order to connect to the 911 emergency service.
• You then set up your voice activation
• lastly, you fill out your safety card.

The best part about this app? It’s voice-activated and you don’t need cell service for it to work.

Joyner realized that when she went out to test the app with Halifax County communications manager Henry Hedgepeth.

”It’s combining more than one app that is out there into one," said Hedgepeth

”We realize that the data was about 99% accurate every time from where we were even in those dead spots where we couldn’t get calls before and so that was promising," said Joyner.

In locations where there are not cell towers, like rural areas or hiking or biking trails, e-BodyGuard's patent-pending technology can locate an emergency.

Tyree Davis is the town administrator for Enfield. He was also the police chief for six years, so safety is at the top of his mind at all times.

”Anytime you can get as much information as you can before you get there that can be life saving," said Enfield. "When someone calls 911, sometimes they don’t say anything, but if they’ve already figured out how to get information to the center we know what we’re getting into. We know what to expect, or somewhat expect, when we arrive."

Another helpful feature on this app: if the person using the app is a victim of domestic violence – they can put pictures of the person who they’re are afraid of – which will also be sent to authorities.

The app launches nationwide Monday.