Responding quickly during an emergency may spell the difference between life and death, and first responders need to be armed with vital information and have it at their fingertips even before reaching the spot.

This is where Smart 911fom AT&T (News - Alert) plays an important role as it shortens the time-consuming process of gathering background information, enabling 9-1-1 operators to dispatch the necessary help immediately to wherever it is required.

"Smart911 from AT&T provides public safety agencies with the information they need to better assist 9-1-1 callers. It also gives those callers peace of mind in knowing that first responders have the data necessary to help them in critical situations," said Mel Coker, vice president, public safety solutions, at AT&T Business Solutions.

For starters, citizens need to visit the Smart911 website and create their own SmartSafety profiles, which are stored securely in the Smart911 database.

The information can record medical conditions, any special needs, allergies, their addresses and those of friends or relatives, the exact location of their houses, and any other information that would help operators in the case of an emergency call.

When an emergency occurs, 9-1-1 operators will have access to the SmartSafety profiles that have been created in Smart911 and can be better prepared to tackle the situation. Access to such information as is present in the SmartSafety profile can make a huge difference in how first responders tackle an emergency.

Traditional 9-1-1 services provide operators have only the bare details, a phone number and

 location information, when they receive calls. As getting information from a frightened or injured caller is difficult, it makes sense that these centers purchase Smart911 from AT&T.

Interestingly, at the APCO International Conference and Expo, AT&T announced that it will begin offering Smart911 from AT&T to 9-1-1 centers across the country next month. It will deliver Smart911 from AT&T in collaboration with Rave Mobile Safety, a provider of software for campus and public safety

Also AT&T will honor young people and 9-1-1 dispatchers for their extraordinary efforts in emergency situations.

AT&T is now offering wireless customers in the greater Boston and Providence areas the opportunity to access a microsite depicting enhancements which have been made to the wireless network.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2012, taking place Oct. 2-5, in Austin, TX.  Stay in touch with everything happening at ITEXPO (News - Alert). Follow us on Twitter.