Zello, a push-to-talk voice messaging service that enables communication and collaboration, launched emergency alerts, its new “panic button” feature. ZelloWork users in crisis situations can press a button to send (with high priority) both their location and an audio recording to a designated emergency channel. Doing so immediately shares the nature and details of the emergency to all parties who should know and can then respond accordingly.
Emergency alerts keeps customers’ employees safe, informed and connected. This add-on feature is available to ZelloWork users for an additional $2 per month per user. Through mass communication and geolocation sharing, employees can quickly respond to and resolve crises and emergencies.
Here’s how it works: Workers in distress press the emergency alerts button, accessible via the Zello app’s talk screen or on supported devices with a red alert button. Once the button is pressed, Zello automatically:
- Records and sends a message to the emergency channel.
- Sends the user’s location to the emergency channel.
- Gives emergency messages priority over other messages until the crisis ends.
Once the initiator of the emergency is no longer in distress, he or she can dismiss the emergency alert. Everything that occurs on the app during an emergency is recorded, providing a valuable record of the event that transpired.
“Workers in multiple industries around the globe use Zello to communicate live through voice over their smart devices to solve problems and connect in emergencies,” Zello CEO Bill Moore said in a statement. “Our new emergency feature takes that communication a step further, instantly connecting workers when they need it most.”
Emergency Alert is useful in any event when team members are at risk, including:
- When security guards need backup during an escalating incident.
- When housekeeping is working in a remote wing and their personal safety is threatened.
- Equipment malfunction or user error.
- Injuries and other urgent medical situations.
- Release of hazardous substances.
- Threats of violence.
- Emergency response to natural disasters like fires, earthquakes, hurricanes and floods.