In Tampa, Florida, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is stepping up its emergency response game with an innovative AI-driven platform at its 911 dispatch center. This new technology, known as Prepared, aims to enhance the efficiency of call handling, improve dispatcher situational awareness, and streamline response coordination without disrupting the existing 911 systems.
According to the HCSO, Prepared is not intended to replace their current operations but rather to fortify them. Sheriff Chad Chronister expressed that this platform serves to deepen the connection between the community and the deputies who respond to emergencies. “The real-time visibility Prepared offers enables informed decision-making during critical situations, leading to better outcomes for those in need and providing an additional safety measure for our deputies on the scene,” he remarked.
One of the key features of this enhancement is the ability it gives callers to securely transmit live video or photos directly to dispatchers. This real-time information can be documented and instantly shared with deputies en route to an emergency, offering them a clearer understanding of the situation they are about to face. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office believes that this capability could be crucial in improving both the speed and effectiveness of their response efforts.
Through the new enhancement, callers can securely share live video or photos with the dispatcher.
The information can be viewed in real time, documented, and shared directly with deputies responding to the scene, HCSO said.
Emergency calls are also transcribed instantly and are supported by AI-generated summaries to help personnel quickly identify critical details and enhance training and review efforts.
The new enhancement also expands language access through automatic language detection and AI-assisted Spanish translation, according to HCSO.
“When someone calls 911, they are often experiencing one of the worst moments of their life. Our responsibility is to meet that moment with clarity, speed, and precision,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is committed to evolving with the times, and emerging technology is a critical part of how we continue to serve our community.”
The new system will also have one-to-one text messaging with callers using preapproved messages, including links to reporting tools, resources during natural disasters, and photo requests for active investigations, HCSO said.