Agency Chat
Product: Prepared
Audience: Call Takers, Dispatchers, Supervisors, and Administrators
Last Updated: 03/05/2025
Outcome Statement
After reading this section, you will understand how to use Agency Chat, a feature designed to facilitate easier communication between PSAPs, responders, and other public safety agencies through SMS, streamlining communication for a variety of scenarios.
Overview
Agency Chat provides an easy-to-use, unblocked communication tool to improve collaboration across local public safety agencies. It helps PSAPs communicate with saved contacts and groups via SMS, which frees up radio bandwidth, protects private communications, and simplifies coordination during non-emergency situations and large-scale emergencies.
Why is this valuable?
Easy, Unblocked Communication: Agency Chat allows for seamless, unrestricted communication, ensuring PSAPs can communicate at any time, without interference.
Alleviating Communication Strain: In times of high pressure or heavy communication, such as during large-scale emergencies, it allows PSAPs to stay focused on critical tasks.
Better Coordination: Helps coordinate with other agencies, call in off-duty workers, and share sensitive information securely, all while minimizing radio congestion.
Additional Notification Feature
🚨 Tab blinking for missed notifications: The Prepared tab title will now blink to notify you of new texts-to-911, caller texts, or agency chats when Prepared is minimized. Available to all customers.
What is Agency Chat?
Agency Chat is a feature for PSAPs to communicate via SMS with any saved contact. It enables direct communication between dispatchers, responders, and even other PSAPs to enhance coordination and efficiency during both emergencies and non-emergency situations.
Watch a demo of Agency Chat here:
Agency Chat Demo
What are some use-cases that Agency Chat unlocks? Who do they benefit?
Agency Chat benefits many stakeholders by improving communication in the following scenarios:
Use Case | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
Freeing up radio airwaves | Communicate with key responder personnel by text to avoid radio congestion for non-emergencies. | Improves radio efficiency and ensures vital communications are prioritized. |
Improving CAD communication | Communicating with responders through CAD is restricted to vehicle locations, but Agency Chat allows for more flexibility in communication. | Facilitates better communication with responders when they’re out of their vehicles. |
Cross-PSAP Communication | PSAPs often share phone numbers with neighboring agencies to facilitate case collaboration. Agency Chat makes this process easier over text. | Helps multiple PSAPs collaborate seamlessly without overloading radio frequencies. |
Privacy & Security | Sensitive or personal information shared over the radio can lead to FOIA concerns. Agency Chat offers a more secure platform for communication. | Protects sensitive data from being leaked and reduces concerns over media access. |
Handling large information volumes | Sharing detailed info through the radio can be cumbersome, but Agency Chat allows dispatchers to send and receive large amounts of info quickly. | Streamlines communication and reduces time spent on back-and-forth radio exchanges. |
Messaging off-duty responders | Agency Chat allows dispatchers to message off-duty responders or volunteers, simplifying the process of calling in backup. | Increases efficiency by quickly reaching off-duty personnel who do not have radio access. |
FAQ
Question | Answer |
|---|---|
What is Agency Chat? | Agency Chat allows PSAPs to communicate via SMS with saved contacts and groups, streamlining communication for emergencies and non-emergencies. |
How does Agency Chat benefit PSAPs? | It frees up radio bandwidth, simplifies communication with other agencies, and offers secure, private channels for sensitive information. |
Can Agency Chat be used to message off-duty responders? | Yes, Agency Chat is ideal for messaging off-duty responders or volunteers, making it easier to call for backup during emergencies. |
How does Agency Chat help with cross-PSAP communication? | It allows neighboring PSAPs to communicate securely and efficiently, avoiding radio congestion and improving collaboration on shared cases. |
Support & Additional Resources
Contact Prepared Support: Support@prepared911.com