Dispatches from the Cloud: The 9-1-1 Evolution
August 12, 2024
When a disaster strikes, there are three numbers we always turn to: 9-1-1.
Whether facing the aftermath of a hurricane or a car accident or the effects of a medical emergency, we expect 9-1-1 call centers or public safety answering points (PSAPs) to answer our calls. But it takes the right technology and connectivity to help PSAPs remain on the line.
AT&T ESInet™ is already advancing emergency communications and supporting 9-1-1 telecommunicators, dispatchers and first responders across the country by transforming the legacy 9-1-1 call routing to a NextGen 9-1-1 solution. This enables PSAPs to have more reliable service and interoperability. And full wireless backup through FirstNet®, Built with AT&T to 9-1-1 call centers means that network connectivity will be available when you need it.
With FirstNet – America’s Public Safety Network – AT&T is the only carrier providing end-to-end emergency communication solutions to support 9-1-1 telecommunicators, first responders in the field and other emergency personnel. When there is a crisis, speed is critical. And the better information our first responders have, the safer our communities will be.
Evolving 9-1-1 operations
Now, we are turning to the Cloud to evolve 9-1-1 operations even further and provide dispatchers and first responders with the information they need to get the help you need – faster.
By integrating the Cloud directly into applications used by 9-1-1 operators, dispatchers can better assess each emergency more quickly than ever before. Plus, with location-based routing, mapping, translation and transcription services, operators have more advanced situational awareness. This allows you to make smarter, faster decisions when coordinating first responders and emergency vehicles.
The Cloud provides a new level of flexibility for call handlers while still maintaining a high level of security. More centralized operations give PSAPs better system management and a faster implementation time and geodiverse access points provide redundancy and diversity within each cloud region.
Highlighting new architecture
At APCO, our experts highlighted just how AT&T is building an end-to-end architecture that combines AT&T ESInet with all Cloud-based PSAP solutions that include call handling, mapping, call recording, analytics, GIS management and more. These innovations mean more capabilities, better reliability and more redundancy to keep your PSAPs running – and first responders at the ready.
Through our recent collaborations with Motorola Solutions, Intrado and Carbyne, we’re able to modernize the 9-1-1 infrastructure and provide PSAPs with access to the latest technologies. These collaborations allow us to upgrade PSAP systems more quickly and bring better emergency response to communities across the country. And they help us provide top-tier connectivity and elevate cloud-native call-handling to new levels – setting PSAPs up for long-term success.
Benefits of technology
AT&T is committed to serving the public safety community and that means adapting well and quickly to new technologies. The AT&T NG9-1-1 PSAP Solutions ecosystem is continuing to evolve with further integrations for cloud-based call recording, analytics, and CAD/RMS solutions, as we move forwards into 2025. Future collaborations with cloud vendors and innovative technologies will allow us to bring every part of the 9-1-1 process to the Cloud and create better, more integrated emergency response.
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