When disaster strikes, having immediate access to reliable resources is essential to ensuring the safety of all those affected. That’s where OnStar Crisis Assist comes in.
OnStar’s Crisis Assist is designed to provide customers and non-customers, in certain situations, with timely and vital information to support them during emergencies. Whether offering evacuation guidance, suggesting alternate routes, identifying available hotels or shelters, or connecting individuals to loved ones and emergency services, OnStar Crisis Assist ensures a sense of security and preparedness for those in affected areas.
There to Assist
OnStar's Crisis Assist program takes a proactive approach to disaster response, constantly monitoring weather trends and potential hazards. “Our command center is monitoring conditions 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” explains Mitch Petterson, OnStar’s Public Safety Engagement Leader. “We watch for significant events, so we know when a crisis event is predicted or has occurred.”
OnStar deploys messaging through multiple channels, including the media, email, social media and, of course, the blue OnStar button, when large-scale incidents impact a significant geographic area. In addition, OnStar can deploy complimentary services, such as in-vehicle Wi-Fi, to individuals with OnStar-equipped vehicles that don't have active service. “We will offer that service for the duration of that crisis incident, until it has been resolved,” Petterson says.
Five Categories of Calls
Petterson says that calls to the command center fall into five different categories, including:
Provides critical situational awareness, such as power restoration times and road status updates.
Offers real-time navigation to safe locations during and after the crisis.
Assists in locating resources such as gas stations, food or available hotels along evacuation routes.
Activates in-vehicle Wi-Fi during a crisis, allowing drivers to stay connected with loved ones or access critical work-related resources.
Provides immediate support in emergency situations, assisting in coordinating help with medical or emergency responders.
By the Numbers
In 2024, the OnStar Command Center Team monitored 422 severe and critical events and 14,000 moderate or minor events. Trained OnStar Advisors managed roughly 140,000 Crisis Assist calls, providing real-time assistance during emergencies. While OnStar’s Crisis Assist is not intended to replace 911 services, it helps reduce the burden on public safety agencies by handling non-emergency situations and offering routing assistance.
OnStar's Crisis Assist program is dedicated to easing the burden on public safety, allowing them to focus on other critical issues during these major events. We're proud to be a part of this important effort.
