Mercer Island residents are being encouraged to participate in a new public safety option called Smart 911.

The service, which is now available to all King County residents, allows Islanders to set up a profile, which can be seen by emergency responders when a person calls 911. Information can be as simple as home address, and can include medical and disability information. Those will specific disability or medical information are especially encouraged to sign up.

When a person calls 911 from a cell phone only the general location is provided, so registering where a person works, lives and a home address can help the responders.

To learn more, visit www.smart911.com.