JERUSALEM (JTA) — An emergency app called “SOS” has been released in Israel by the United Hatzalah volunteer emergency rapid response service.
The emergency alert app allows users to send a distress call with their precise location to United Hatzalah and the Israeli police.
The app uses technology created by the Israeli company NowForce to map out and respond to emergencies. The technology allows medic volunteers closest to the emergency to receive the mobile alerts and be dispatched.
Following the kidnapping last week of three Israeli teens, United Hatzalah and NowForce accelerated the launch of a public version of “SOS.”
In addition to tracking the user via the smartphone, the system contacts any family or friends that are pre-programmed into the system during registration.
The app is available on sos.nowforce.com in English and Hebrew.
