Technology a trending topic at the 911 Summit in Glasgow
GLASGOW,Ky.-Technology is quickly changing how 911 centers operate in the southern Kentucky region. At the annual 911 Summit in Glasgow Thursday, directors and managers discussed the use of emerging technologies at 911 centers in the area.
From cell phone video to Apple location apps, leaders in the 911 community are looking for ways that new technology can help them better serve local communities.
“We are probably one of the most technological 911 centers with the new things coming in our state with the ability to do what we’re going to do, and hopefully that technology will be up and running by the end of the week,” said Chris Freeman, Barren-Metcalfe Emergency Communications Center director
Robert Stack from Lexington 911 led panel discussions at Thursday’s summit. Stack said he’s looking forward to the changes that will come with new technology.
“With Rapid S.O.S used through Apple phones you can get within feet of where that person is standing. Instead of relying on the cellular network it’s delivering data through the wi-fi networks that are available in the community,” said Stack.
Stack also said that video technology is quickly changing how 911 centers across the state operate.
“Now we’re going to have 911 call operators seeing video live of what’s going on at that scene. The next step will be pushing that video out to the fire truck or police car where the responders can see what’s going on at that scene,” said Stack.
While many 911 centers are looking forward to how technology will improve service they offer, Freeman says there’s still so much to learn.
“The way that we take the technology in, we have to take that and be portable with it. So creative ways to do that is what’s going to shape the future of 911. We’re still in the learning phase. We don’t know what we don’t know yet,” said Freeman.
The Glasgow 911 center recently launched 911 texting and has plans to partner with schools in Glasgow to roll out a two-way live video feed system in the coming weeks.
