Title: New Hamilton County 911 Software Enhances Communication Options for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Hamilton County 911 has recently introduced new features to their call center that aim to improve communication for specific groups. The inclusion of these features will particularly benefit the deaf, hard of hearing, and individuals who speak languages other than English. By allowing 911 callers to text in real time, the new additions provide an efficient and effective means of relaying crucial information to emergency responders.
Real time text is important to the deaf and hard of hearing community, explained Jeff Carney, Executive Director of Hamilton County 911. There is a real big drive to make sure they can communicate with emergency services in the same manner that a hearing, speaking person can. And of course, we’re conversing right now in real time.
Hamilton County’s Emergency Communications District implemented a software built by Prepared in September, which has revolutionized their dispatch center. Through this software, the center can now livestream, receive photos and videos, and instantly locate callers.
We have done that quite a bit, said Carney, referring to the ability to request video or picture sharing from callers. Once we have contacted them, if the call meets certain criteria or if it is something where we think having a visual of the scene will help, we can send out a request for them to share video or pictures with us.
These new additions have significantly improved the 911 center’s emergency response capabilities by providing enhanced awareness to responders even before they arrive at the scene. Callers can now choose to receive a livestream link via text message from the dispatcher, allowing them to provide real-time visual information.
In addition to livestreaming, the Prepared software also incorporates real-time texting between callers and emergency responders. This advance is especially valuable for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, enabling them to communicate effectively during emergencies.
The software also features a text translation function that supports 160 languages. This functionality eliminates the need for dispatch centers to rely solely on interpreter services for voice calls, giving them greater flexibility to assist non-English speakers.
With these groundbreaking additions, Hamilton County 911 is enhancing its emergency response capabilities, ensuring prompt assistance to all members of the community. The ability to text in real time and access livestream links provides an inclusive and efficient means of communication during critical situations.
It is worth noting that the dispatch center is committed to maintaining a balanced and unbiased approach when handling emergencies. Efforts are made to present a fair perspective by including different opinions and viewpoints.
The implementation of these advancements aligns with the ongoing mission of Hamilton County 911 to continuously improve their emergency response systems. By embracing innovative technology, they are paving the way for a more accessible and efficient emergency communication infrastructure.
As Hamilton County 911 embraces these advancements, they elevate the standard of emergency communication by integrating technology that empowers individuals with disabilities and ensures that every member of the community receives the assistance they need, when they need it most.
