The Dubuque Emergency Communications Center launched a new service called Prepared Assist. The software will allow callers to livestream their locations and update dispatchers in real-time.
Users will receive a text from the dispatcher with a link, allowing them to share photos, videos, and other information.
The program is completely optional and does not change how residents report emergencies.
Prepared Assist was created by three Yale students and has been used in 48 out of the 50 states since its public launch in 2021.