Multiple Ohio counties will soon transition to modernized 911 system

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – More Ohio residents will soon be able to send text messages and photos to 911, as the state rolls out a modernized system that can pinpoint users' locations.

Unlike traditional 911 systems, Next Generation 911 can receive texts and photos, as well as track down users’ precise location, ensuring first responders are sent to the correct place. 

“The most important function of government is to protect its citizens, and Next Generation 911 is a critical investment to protect the safety of Ohioans and help our local law enforcement agencies,” Ohio Gov. Mike 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 911 does.”

Ten pilot counties have already fully implemented the system, including Athens, Carroll, Champaign, Columbiana, Harrison, Monroe, Morgan, Union, Van Wert and Washington.

Earlier this month, DeWine announced that 15 more counties will soon deploy it, including Allen, Belmont, Fairfield, Guernsey, Hardin, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Marion, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Ross and Vinton. The Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) estimates the counties will implement the technology by early 2026. 

The state selected counties to implement to system based on a number of factors, such as their dispatch centers’ current technology and locations, with neighboring counties taking priority to ensure the smooth transfer of calls when needed, according to the DAS. 

Traditional 911 systems estimate a caller's location by measuring their distance from cellphone towers, often identifying a general area rather than an exact location. Cellphone triangulation can be less accurate in rural areas, due to them having fewer cellphone towers. 

Meanwhile, Next Generation 911 uses a combination of technologies to get a more precise location, including geolocation, which is heavily used by rideshare apps. Not only does this help first responders find the location of an emergency, but it ensures calls are routed to the correct dispatch center. Traditional systems can result in slower response times when dispatchers have to transfer calls to the appropriate center, and callers have to repeat themselves. 

Data from Washington County, one of the first counties in Ohio to fully implement the system, shows a “significant” increase in calls being routed to the correct dispatch center, according to DeWine's office. Between December, when the county began using the system, and June, its sheriff's office experienced a  42.7% decrease in wireless 911 calls compared to the same time period the previous year.

“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 Madden, director of the DAS.

Although Columbus has not yet implemented Next Generation 911, the city added new features to its 911 system in April, including artificial intelligence technology that translates texts to 911 from 55 languages. The new upgrade also allows dispatchers to send a link to users' phones and, with permission, see through their front and back cameras.

According to the DAS, Next Generation 911 can accommodate a similar video feature; however, at this point, it must be purchased separately. Some counties have purchased video, and the feature will be provided as a part of the state’s system once it becomes a standard of the National Emergency Number Association, which are best practices recommended by industry professionals. 

The DeWine Administration has invested $62 million into the system over the past two state budgets. Ohio’s budget, passed last month, increased a Next Generation 911 fee included in residents’ cellphone bills from 40 cents a month to 60 cents a month to help pay for the expansion. 

The state is requiring all counties that do not use Next Generation 911 to implement it within the next five years. The DAS is currently working to ensure the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Ohio Department of Natural Resources transition to the system.