Taylor Shores, a communications officer and shift leader at Athens-Limestone 911, answered Brian Burrus' emergency call on Aug. 1. She couldn't communicate with him verbally, but his Smart911 profile provided her with pertinent information about his seizure disorder.

An Ardmore man is crediting the Smart911 program with saving his life a seizure left him unable to speak to emergency dispatchers.

Brian Burrus and his wife Michele praised the program Thursday at a press event at the Athens-Limestone 911 Center on Elm Street. Without the free program, the couple said, the events of Tuesday, Aug. 1, may have had a different outcome.

Brian Burrus has suffered with a seizure disorder since 2012. He believes he had been unconscious about four hours when he finally came to and dialed 911.

Taylor Shores, a 911 communications officer and shift leader, took the 4 p.m. phone call. She said Burrus was unable to do anything more than grunt and moan, but his Smart911 information popped up on her screen.

“Luckily, they had the profile and they knew I had seizures and could go ahead and send everyone needed,” Burrus said.

Recognizing that Burrus was having a medical emergency, Shores dispatched an ambulance and the Ardmore Police Department to the residence. Personnel were on the scene within a matter of minutes, Burrus said.

“I don’t remember much,” he said. “They had me on a gurney and (paramedics) were talking to me and my head really hurt.”

A paramedic made the decision to take Burrus to a hospital.

“I’m glad they did,” he said.

Easy process

Michele Burrus said her husband’s seizure disorder led to her setting up a Smart911 profile about a month ago. The couple’s daughter had helped take care of Brian, but she’s in the Army.

“He’s home by himself more,” Michele said.

It took only a short time for her to set up the profile. Those profiles, Shores said, can include a wide variety of information that can help dispatchers and first-responders. That information includes address, phone numbers, names of persons who reside in the home, vehicle information, medical history, a list of medications, preferred hospital and a list of emergency contacts.

Shores added having the profile pop up on a dispatcher’s screen saves valuable time when the person on the other end is unable to verbally communicate.

“In Mr. Burrus’ instance, we did get an ambulance and responders on the way immediately, which saved precious minutes,” she said.

Setting up a Smart911 profile is available to all residents in Athens and Limestone County. The service costs nothing.

“It’s something you hope you never have to use, but if you do, you’re glad you have it,” Shores said.

When asked if they would recommend the program to others, the Burruses responded with a resounding, “Yes.”

“Even if you don’t have a medical condition, it’s a good program,” Michele Burrus said. “It’s an amazing program.”

For more information or to sign up, visit www.alc911.org/smart-911 or www.smart911.com.