Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does the app work?
Does the app track my location?
What is the difference between a Hero911 active shooting alert and a Nationwide Situational Awareness Message System (NSAMS) alert?
The Hero911 active shooting alert is sent only to first responders within the general vicinity of a reported active shooter.
This alert includes an audio alarm, a popup screen to acknowledge uniform, plain clothes, or out of area, and a mapped location of the threat, with a running counter of officers that have responded.
The NSAMS, sent to all first responders in the Network, is for general information on active shooting events that are happening anywhere in the nation. This message is meant to keep first responder informed of how frequently active shootings take place all across the country.
How does the active shooting alert operate?
In the event of a nearby active shooting, an alert is sent to the Hero911 Network app on your phone.
This alert includes an audio alarm, a popup screen to acknowledge uniform, plain clothes, or out of area, and a mapped location of the threat, with a running counter of officers that have responded.
To hear the alert sound and see how the alert operates, press the Test Alert button on the menu at the bottom of the app. If you do not have a Test Alert button, upgrade to the latest version via the Apple or Google Play store from your phone.
What about officer safety & scene management?
The app is activated only during armed intruder and school shooting massacres and provides you with situational awareness.
If you are a police officer, on duty or off, do you want instant notification that an armed intruder or school shooting massacre is reported near your location, yes or no?
The Hero911® Network app may provide a patrol car a life-saving minute or two head start, or more. Non-uniformed officers may be closest and at a minimum, need to be aware.
These senseless acts of violence that occur in our schools end within minutes before most multiple officer scene management issues even begin. In the spirit of rapid response active shooter training models, the Hero911 Network can put an officer in a position to confront a killer quicker, When Seconds Save Lives.
Officers without proper training, skill and identification should not respond, but remain vigilant after receiving the alert. Statistics show twenty percent of active shooters move to other locations. All laws, home agency policies and protocols must be followed.
Officer safety is a major concern during these catastrophes. Please consider purchasing a well-stocked “Go-Bag” for your personal vehicle. Hats and vests with bold POLICE markings are strongly recommended.
I haven’t received my approval notification.
It’s possible that during the signup process you did not allow for the Hero911® Network app to send you Notifications. To check this, go into Settings on your phone and make sure Notifications are enabled for the Hero911 app.
If your Notifications are enabled, the alert may already be in the Notification queue on your phone. You may need to swipe down from the top of your screen near the clock and check for the approval notification.
Questions about the approval notification can be directed to [email protected]
The app doesn’t seem to be doing anything.
The Hero911® Network app should show a message on the main screen that reads… Active and ready to receive alerts. This message indicates that the app is installed correctly and is working on your phone. The app will stand by and listen to active shooting alerts in your area.
Has there been any discussion on officer liability or workman’s comp if I download the app?
The Hero911 app is intended to provide situational awareness to officers. After receiving a Hero911 alert, officers should attempt to communicate with the appropriate dispatch center. All officers are reminded to adhere to home agency policies, protocols, and laws. Officers should not respond to incidents off duty if they do not have authority, training and a means to properly identify themselves. Liability and workman comp issues would be similar to taking action while inadvertently stumbling into a robbery in progress or a crash while off duty.