Georgia lawmakers are pursuing pathways to replace the state’s outdated 911 system, which is still operating on a system built for landlines, not smartphones.
To explore ways to update the state’s 911 system, a study committee was established earlier this year to help upgrade to Next Generation 911 (NG911). The committee recently met for the first time in preparation for a comprehensive review of the current 911 provisions and to develop an action plan to transition from legacy to modern centers.
Recent storms that have swept the southeast region have shown that the aging 911 system no longer provides the essential emergency services needed to save and protect lives. The technologies are also getting increasingly more difficult to repair and maintain as parts and qualified technicians are rendered obsolete, according to state officials. This can lead to significant downtime if the system is knocked down and needs repair.
Implementing Next Generation 911 (NG911) would follow the actions of other states across the nation to overhaul outdated legacy systems in preference for a system that is aligned and scalable with modern technological innovation. NG911 is an Internet Protocol-based platform designed with smartphone technology in mind to utilize precise location information alongside voice, text, images and video to help inform and direct emergency responders.
Perhaps the most notable solution addressed by NG911 would be the ability to pinpoint wireless caller locations. The current system is designed for landlines with fixed locations, despite more than 80% of calls now originating from wireless devices. The updated system would drastically improve location accuracy, enabling faster emergency services delivered to the appropriate 911 center in proximity to the call.
The integration of modern communication options – text messages, photos, videos – will ensure all callers can contact 911 using the optimal method for their situation. Critically, NG911 deployment would support consistent 911 operations across the state, removing disparities between different centers working at different capacities. 911 call centers can be easily overwhelmed, and having a modern system designed to handle call overload, disasters and other situations without impacting daily operations would be essential for delivering quality, fast responses.
Currently, the study committee is determining how deploying the cutting-edge system could be funded. Georgia has recognized the need for increasing its resilience in the face of increasingly frequent and severe storms, most recently emphasized by the damage wrought by Hurricane Helene. As resilience planning and implementation becomes more complex, Georgia will need systems and plans designed to mitigate risks, coordinate emergency responses and enhance local resilience efforts.
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