Next Generation 911 Technology Coming to Williston | Video

Evan Kruegel | 7/13/2012

The Williams County Commission has approved a measure which would upgrade its current 911 system to the aptly titled "Next Generation 911".

The new system will use a broadband IP network to provide pictures, video, and vehicle information to help emergency responders. Emergency personnel will also be able to receive GPS coordinates for every call that comes in to dispatch.

Williams County Emergency Services Director Mike Hallesy says the new technology will be useful in numerous ways.

"As technology changes, being able to send a text message, send a video, send a photo, may help the responders know what they will be encountering."

The new system will also eventually allow emergency dispatch to handle text messages from those in emergency situations, but that technology is still a few years away.

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