Lillian VestOhio Gov. Mike DeWine has announced the state will expand the Next Generation 911 technology (NG911) statewide to modernize call centers and enhance emergency response.
Following its successful implementation in 10 pilot counties, the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) will expand NG911 technology into 15 additional counties. The state has supported NG911 with investments totaling $62 million over the last four years, for the infrastructure, support and onboarding of new counties.
Counties that will begin the onboarding process include Allen, Belmont, Fairfield, Guernsey, Hardin, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Marion, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Ross and Vinton.
The NG911 technology seeks to make interactions with 911 more accessible by allowing citizens to text and use smartwatches and other wearable technology to contact emergency services. It also saves time when people call emergency services by reducing the number of call transfers between 911 call centers and by more precisely pinpointing the location of callers using cell phones.
Statistics from Washington County, among the first in Ohio to fully adopt the system, show the time-saving effects of NG911 by cutting down on call transfers. Since its implementation, call centers in the region have reported major gains in accurate call routing, with fewer emergency calls unnecessarily directed to and from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. From December to June, the Sheriff’s Office saw a nearly 43% drop in wireless 911 calls compared to the same six-month period the year before.
The Office of First Responder Communications Initiatives, part of the DAS, is overseeing Ohio’s long-term transition to NG911. Its next priority is ensuring the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources are fully operational and integrated into the system.
Ohio counties that haven’t adopted the system have a five-year deadline and should contact the 911 Program Office to start the migration process. Telecommunication provider, ComTech, has been awarded a contract to complete the initial buildout of the NG911 program, including support, hardware, software and installation services.
This program has made its way to other states as well, with 38 states having developed and adopted a statewide NG911 plan as of 2021. Some states that have adopted a plan include Texas, Florida, California, Arizona and Washington. The National 911 Program encourages states to submit Public Safety Answering Point data and work toward implementing NG911 technology to improve 911 accessibility.
Photo by Pixabay
