WASHINGTON — Anne Arundel County, Maryland has rolled out a new $2.2 million system for its 911 call center.
The new computer-aided dispatch system uses location verification and geolocation for emergency vehicles, so dispatchers can easily see who is closest to an emergency and shorten response times.
It also has the capacity to hold 16 million records, making it easier for police and fire departments to access them in investigations.
“We need to ensure our first responders have the best equipment available as they work to protect every citizen of Anne Arundel County,” said County Executive Steve Schuh in a news release. “The system upgrade is another step in our efforts to ensure we have the best public safety infrastructure in the State of Maryland.”
The old dispatch system had been installed in the early 1990s.
In addition to the location services, the new system sports a user-friendly interface and can easily be integrated into other technology systems and apps.
The county had been working with Infor, a software company that mostly creates systems for businesses, for over two years before the switch was made on January 30.
“The efficiencies and effectiveness gained by the upgrade to the 911 Call center technology is the first of many we hope to accomplish as part of the County Executives system modernization programs,” said Rick Napolitano, director of the county’s Office of Information Technology, in the release. “The team did a superb job and we hope all future cut overs go this smoothly.”
