Starting Monday, September 16, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FSCO) will be able to accept live feeds from Apple Phone users during an emergency call.
Apple will launch their new iOS18 software upgrade this week. Once Apple users complete their upgrade, they will be able to share live stream videos or recorded media to FSCO dispatchers during emergency calls received though FCSO’s RapidSOS portal. According to RapidSOS, about 5,700 Emergency Communication Centers across the country use their RapidSOS UNITE core module covering 99% of the U.S. population.
Here’s out it works. If someone makes an emergency call from an Apple phone, the dispatcher can request access to the caller to share live video or photos over a secure connection. It’s important to note, FSCO will not be able to access anything on a person’s phone without their consent, nor will FCSO retain access to video or media once the call ends. Access is terminated once the call is disconnected.
FSCO has been able to receive live stream video through other devices since early 2023.
“The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office continues to implement cutting-edge technology as technology evolves,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “The ability for dispatchers to see live video from a scene is critical in today’s fast-paced world. This will allow trained dispatchers to quickly see and accurately update responding deputies to what is happening while they are responding during an emergency in real time.”
