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Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office implements next-gen 911 technology for faster emergency response

On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office announced the deployment of new 9-1-1 call-routing technology that uses the wireless caller’s location to route calls and reduce 9-1-1 call processing time.  “We received a five-year 9-1-1 Florida state grant to modernize our 9-1-1 infrastructure in the County,” said Okaloosa County Sheriff’ Eric Aden “We’re thrilled […]

On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office announced the deployment of new 9-1-1 call-routing technology that uses the wireless caller’s location to route calls and reduce 9-1-1 call processing time. 

  • The technology also enables call takers to more quickly relay accurate details on 9-1-1 caller location to first responders, so they reach community members in need faster, according to the OCSO.

“We received a five-year 9-1-1 Florida state grant to modernize our 9-1-1 infrastructure in the County,” said Okaloosa County Sheriff’ Eric Aden “We’re thrilled that our next generation 9-1-1 call routing system from Motorola Solutions is now in place. We’re improving our ability to save lives in Okaloosa County by shaving seconds off our emergency response.”

Historically, 9-1-1 calls have been routed using the location of the wireless carrier tower that the caller is connected to. If that tower is outside of the caller’s immediate area, they’re often connected to a public safety answering point (PSAP) that does not have the ability to dispatch local resources to respond, requiring a call transfer to the appropriate PSAP. 

  • The OCSO says that each call transfer can add an average of 40 seconds in wait time – a long time for callers reporting emergency situations like a cardiac arrest or a building engulfed in flames.

Okaloosa deployed Motorola Solutions’ NENA i3 compliant next generation call routing service, which uses the caller’s location to deliver the 9-1-1 call to the correct PSAP. The County also uses Motorola Solutions’ VESTA 9-1-1 call handling software to process 9-1-1 calls.

“We’re invested in improving critical infrastructure that can enhance the safety and security of the Okaloosa County community,” said Trey Goodwin, Chairman of the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners. “We were proud to partner with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office to complete and secure the state grant that made the County’s upgrade to next generation 9-1-1 technology possible. This is one more way we’re making community resources more accessible to better serve our residents.”

In 2022, Okaloosa processed 115,000 9-1-1 calls in the County across six PSAPs, an average of 315 calls per day. A total of 57 telecommunicators field these calls and dispatch police, fire and medical first responders to the scene. 

  • Its primary PSAP is located at the Emergency Operating Center in Niceville, and it operates five additional PSAPs across Eglin Air Force Base, Crestview, Niceville, Valparaiso and Fort Walton Beach.

One Response

  1. There are more grants they can apply for. UNICEF for Children mim 100,000. Max 300,000 long term grants. You have to show them how the Sheriff department will use the funds.

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