November 18, 2016
WALTHAM, Mass. – A new smart device app launched today by National Grid will give first responders in New England the capability to report emergency situations involving the company’s gas and electric infrastructure. The company is the first in the U.S. to utilize the new application.
The app, called “First Responder” by iRestore, will enhance communication during urgent situations by giving police and fire departments the ability to send photographs of infrastructure damage directly to key National Grid personnel in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This allows the company to determine the quickest and most appropriate way to remedy the situation before arriving on scene. National Grid anticipates that use of the app will reduce overall storm restoration time because the company will have an advance on storm damage as emergency responders send photos in real-time.
“National Grid is a leader in emergency response because after every restoration we challenge ourselves and explore, could we have done anything better?” said Marcy Reed, president, National Grid, Massachusetts. “First Responder is an exciting tool that will help enhance emergency response. We are excited to work with first responders so we will know exactly what we are dealing with before we even arrive on the scene.”
During every single emergency or service restoration effort, National Grid takes the opportunity to examine its crisis and response planning. By listening to customers and the communities it serves, it worked to develop the First Responder app as another tool to enhance communication during emergencies and help protect the public safety and the safety of our employees.
“The Ware Fire Dept. is excited to see the roll out of the National Grid First Responder App. We were pleased to help National Grid provide first responders such a great app that will help to swiftly transfer the needed information on what resources are needed on scene,” said Thomas Coulombe, Ware Fire Chief. “By providing real-time scene information quickly and easily first responders can focus on other duties that may be required to assure the scene is restored to normal as soon as possible. We thank National Grid for allowing us the opportunity to partner with them to help make this app a useful tool for first responders.”
Currently, police and fire departments report field incidents by calling in reports to a dedicated line at National Grid. With the First Responder App, they will now augment that process by snapping a geographically-targeted photo and giving utility workers visual and additional details prior to arriving on the scene. Once the report is submitted, notification will be sent to responding National Grid personnel for advance field assessment.
There are more than 500 first responders across Massachusetts and Rhode Island registered for the First Responder App. Interested communities should contact FirstResponderAppSupport@nationalgrid.com for additional information.
About National Grid
National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE: NGG) is an electricity and natural gas delivery company that connects nearly 7 million customers to vital energy sources through its networks in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the Northeast. National Grid also operates the systems that deliver gas and electricity across Great Britain.
Through its U.S. Connect21 strategy, National Grid is transforming its electricity and natural gas networks to support the 21st century digital economy with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions. Connect21 is vital to our communities' long-term economic and environmental health and aligns with regulatory initiatives in New York (REV: Reforming the Energy Vision) and Massachusetts (Grid Modernization).
For more information please visit our website, or our Connecting website, follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube, friend us on Facebook, find our photos on Instagram
