LIMA, Ohio (WLIO)- Allen County is preparing to implement Next Generation 9-1-1, a statewide upgrade aimed at speeding up emergency response times and giving dispatchers more accurate caller information.
This technology would replace the county’s older 9-1-1 system with a fully digital network. That means more precise location tracking from cell phone calls, and even the ability to contact 9-1-1 from a smart watch. Allen County Homeland Security Director Jared Gesler says it’s also built with backup pathways in case of an outage.
“There’s some times where, for instance, if you’re in an area that’s right on the line, you may get sent to the sheriff’s office when you’re expecting to get to the Lima Police Department,” Gesler said. “It’ll reduce those transfers back and forth and give you a more confident, GIS-validated location. Quicker response times and more precise locations when you’re in a rural area and you may not know where your exact location is.”
Allen County plans to launch the new system in January. Their current 9-1-1 system allows callers to text an operator, but in the future, it could also allow callers to send photos or videos.
