Mathews County announced on Tuesday that it is in compliance with Virginia’s Marcus Alert System, which provides statewide mental health awareness response and community understanding services through Rave Mobile Safety’s Rave 911 Suite and Smart911.

According to a press release, the Marcus Alert System legislation mandates that localities establish protocols to initiate a behavioral health response when there is a behavioral health crisis that’s secondary to mental illness, substance abuse, and/or developmental disabilities. By July 1, each locality must have a voluntary database to be made available to the 911 alert system and the Marcus Alert System that includes mental health and contact information for emergency responders to access in the event of an emergency.

Mathews began using the Rave 911 Suite and Smart911 last year, and is thus already in compliance with the requirements, said the release. Residents who sign up for Smart911 may voluntarily provide information they want to share, such as medical and health information, photos, and emergency contacts.

“We have worked diligently over the last six years upgrading equipment, bringing the most modern technology to the Mathews County 911 Center to provide the highest possible level of services to our citizens,” said Sheriff Mark Barrick in the release. “I was very pleased to discover we were already in compliance with the Marcus Alert requirements.”

Residents are encouraged to create their Safety Profile with Smart911, said the release, adding that information is made available to the 911 system only in event of an emergency call.

To create a profile, visit www.Smart911.com.