DC government teams up with Uber to launch in-app 911 feature

Last week, Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Office of Unified Communications (OUC) and Uber launched a 911 integration pilot within the ridesharing app for D.C. passengers. In September, Uber announced it would be expanding its 911 integration to the District, with the service already being active in other major cities across the U.S., Canada and India.

“For many years, the biggest challenge in the 911 industry has been location accuracy. A faster response with enhanced location services will save lives, and we are so grateful for partners like Uber who have stepped up to change the landscape. Mayor Bowser is committed to utilizing cutting-edge technologies to keep residents safe and continuing to raise the bar for emergency communications across the District.” Karima Holmes, director of the Office of Unified Communications said in a statement.

The in-app emergency button notifies the Office of Unified Communications of an emergency and the office will instantly share the passenger’s real time location, the car make and model, and license plate number with 911 call takers. The Bowser Administration contracted RapidSOS to develop the tech used in the app to help reduce the length of time between a call taker and a first responder being dispatched in an emergency situation, the press release states.

This isn’t the first time Bowser is teaming up with Uber. Earlier this year, the Bowser Administration and Uber opened a Greenlight Hub in the East River Park Shopping Center in Ward 7, providing access to support services for Uber drivers and UberEATS couriers.