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County reviews Emergent 3 safety software after demonstration; vendor quotes $5,000/year
Summary
Saint Clair County commissioners heard a demonstration from Emergent 3 of an emergency‑safety platform that automates alerts, interactive maps and staff check‑ins. The vendor quoted $5,000 annually on a three‑year term covering six sites; commissioners asked staff to check 9‑1‑1 integration and IT/insurance implications.
Saint Clair County commissioners on Thursday heard a demonstration of an emergency‑safety platform from a vendor that said it could provide countywide alerts, interactive building maps and staff accountability tools.
Carson, a director with Emergent 3, demonstrated the software and told commissioners the company’s quote was $5,000 a year on a three‑year contract that would include building map creation, unlimited users at each covered site and ongoing support. "We don't charge you for ongoing support," Carson said during the presentation, adding the package would include customized alert types, site maps and first‑responder integration.
County safety officer Sean introduced the vendor and described the pitch as a way to replace static paper evacuation diagrams with real‑time steps on staff devices. Sean said the system would allow staff to check in as "safe" or "unsafe," show location on an interactive map and provide a time‑stamped post‑event log for after‑action review.
Commissioners pressed the vendor on integration with public safety answering points (PSAPs) and county dispatch. Carson said the firm was developing PSAP integration and expected a summer update that would allow a phone call into 9‑1‑1 centers; today, dispatch would need the application on its desk to receive alerts. He also said the system can bypass do‑not‑disturb settings on mobile devices, comparing the behavior to an Amber Alert. "If it's on their cell phones ... it will act similar as, like, an Amber Alert," Carson said.
Other questions focused on contract length and coverage. The vendor confirmed the initial quotation assumed coverage for six buildings chosen by the county and said adding sites could incur additional fees; commissioners also asked whether the county’s panic‑button devices and existing notification methods could be integrated. Carson said the firm supports custom integrations and unlimited end‑user devices at covered sites.
Commissioners asked staff to check with the county’s IT and insurance advisors about cybersecurity, interoperability with the county’s phone and dispatch systems, and whether the vendor’s proposed PSAP integration meets local Text‑to‑911 capabilities. No formal vote was taken; commissioners signaled they would consider placing authorizing language on the next meeting agenda after those technical checks.
The presentation and public Q&A also touched on training and exercise functions: the system tracks drill check‑in times and produces a post‑event report that administrators can use for training and incident review.
Next steps: staff will discuss technical integration with IT and dispatch, consult the county insurance carrier about potential benefits to liability or coverage, and return with recommendations and contract language for a future meeting.
