Gwinnett 911 adds AI for faster emergency response
Gwinnett County is investing $2.5 million to upgrade its 911 system with artificial intelligence and next-generation 911 capabilities. This redesign will allow dispatchers to directly receive photos, videos and text while using AI for real-time translation and transcription in one of Georgia’s most diverse counties. The project, funded by mobile phone billing fees, aims to triage high call volumes and is expected to be fully operational by December 2026.
GWINNETT COUNTY, GA. – Gwinnett County is set to move forward with a multimillion-dollar upgrade to its 911 system, which is being funded through this year’s county budget.
What we know:
The approximately $2.5 million upgrade was included in the county’s $2.5 billion 2026 budget, which was adopted by commissioners on Jan. 6.
“Funding for 911 actually comes from what you pay with your cell phone bill,” said Russell Royal, the county’s financial services director. “It’s a tax there and it’s specifically for that purpose.”
Royal said the county’s 911 system was last revised in 2013, with its most recent update in 2019.
What they say:
Royal said the project will allow people to text and send photos and videos directly to 911.
“This will provide our dispatchers with more information that can be relayed to our officers, so they are better prepared when responding to calls,” he said.
Officials and police said artificial intelligence should be included to help with translation and transcription.
“Gwinnett has a very diverse community. Many different languages are spoken,” said Gwinnett County Police Cpl. Ryan Winderweedle said. “Sometimes these calls come in and they need help translating to get the quickest response time possible. »
Police said the project could ease the burden on call takers when multiple calls come in regarding the same incident.
“I hope these systems can help triage these people to other call takers, who will be available for other emergencies coming into 911,” Winderweedle said.
What’s next:
Royal said the county will be putting out a request for bids for the project soon. He said he expects the upgrades to be installed by December.
The source : Gwinnett County Police and the county’s director of financial services spoke with FOX 5’s Rey Llerena for this story.
