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The Cobb County Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) is proud to announce major technology upgrades that will make emergency responses faster, smarter, and more reliable.
With these upgrades, callers can now stream video directly to 911 professionals from the scene of an incident. And for some non-English speaking callers, real-time translation capabilities will provide additional support, allowing calltakers to process emergencies more effectively and communicate across language barriers.
These improvements mark the completion of the DEC’s transition to Next Generation 911 (NG911) with the implementation of AT&T’s Emergency Services Internet-Protocol Network (ESInet) digital infrastructure and the Carbyne APEX call-handling platform.
With the transition to NG911, Cobb’s 911 system has now been upgraded to a secure, IP-based infrastructure, replacing legacy analog systems. AT&T ESInet™ serves as the network that will provide the DEC with more accurate caller location, enhanced routing of emergency calls to the correct 911 center, faster call delivery, and advanced multimedia capabilities. ESInet also increases system resiliency, mitigating the risk that emergency communications could become non-operational during high call volumes, natural disasters, or other disruptions.
Alongside ESInet, the DEC has also implemented Carbyne APEX, a cloud-based NG911 call-handling platform. APEX incorporates artificial intelligence into its feature set to maximize responder efficiency. Key features include AI-powered translation and transcription, emergency call triage, and dispatcher-directed live video and messaging functions. During an active call, calltakers can send a text message to the caller containing a link that, when clicked, allows enhanced location sharing and the option for live video streaming from the caller’s phone, enabling public safety telecommunicators to see what’s happening on the scene before responders arrive.
Cobb County DEC is the largest emergency communications center in the United States to launch the Carbyne APEX platform.
“These upgrades represent a major step forward in how we serve our community,” said Melissa Alterio, Director of the Cobb County Department of Emergency Communications. “By embracing Next Generation 911 and the Carbyne APEX platform, we’re equipping our team with the tools they need to respond faster, smarter, and more effectively.”
The DEC’s tech upgrades have been a years-long collaborative project led by Deputy Director of Technical Services Kevin Gardner and the DEC’s Technical Services team, in partnership with the Cobb County Information Technology Services Department, Carbyne, and AT&T.
These upgrades were made with Cobb’s citizens, tourists, and responders in mind, and will enhance emergency response while supporting the DEC’s mission to provide professional and efficient service at the highest level possible.
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