Next Generation 9-1-1 Expanding to Area
COLUMBUS, OH — Governor Mike DeWine has announced the continued expansion of Ohio’s Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) emergency communications system, with 15 additional counties now onboarding into the program.
The announcement comes after the system’s successful rollout in ten pilot counties, including Athens, Carroll, Columbiana, Harrison, Monroe, Morgan, Union, and Washington counties. The next phase will extend the technology to Allen, Belmont, Fairfield, Guernsey, Hardin, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Marion, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Ross, and Vinton counties.
“The most important function of government is to protect its citizens, and Next Generation 9-1-1 is a critical investment to protect the safety of Ohioans and help our local law enforcement agencies,” Governor DeWine said. “When Ohioans are experiencing an emergency, they deserve to know that help is on the way quickly, and that’s exactly what Next Generation 9-1-1 does.”
NG9-1-1 upgrades the traditional 911 system by allowing emergency calls to be made not only by phone, but also via text, smartwatches, and other wearable technologies. It also provides faster call routing and more accurate location data from cell phones, which can save crucial seconds in emergencies.
The DeWine Administration has invested $62 million over the past two state budget cycles to support the statewide buildout, infrastructure, and ongoing support of NG9-1-1.
In Washington County, one of the first counties to implement the system, emergency services reported a 42.7% drop in wireless 911 calls to the Sheriff’s Office, significantly reducing misrouted calls and call transfers.
“Our pilot counties have taken more than 44,000 calls to date through the new system, and the reduction in transfers is saving critical time during emergencies,” said Kathleen C. Madden, director of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS). “We look forward to assisting additional counties as part of this vitally important project.”
The DAS Office of First Responder Communications Initiatives is leading the state’s migration strategy. Future plans include full integration of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources into the system.
Ohio counties not yet on NG9-1-1 have five years to migrate and are encouraged to contact the state’s 911 Program Office to begin the onboarding process.
Ohio Department of Administrative Services Press Release
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