City Implements New Emergency Communications Technology
Published on September 14, 2023
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, Lincoln Police Department Assistant Chief Brian Jackson, and Lincoln Emergency Communications Center (LECC) Manager Jessica Loos today said innovative communications technology that connects the community with the LECC will better prepare first responders for emergency situations.
Prepared Live is an emergency communications platform that allows 911 and non-emergency callers to use their mobile phones to provide livestream video, text, photos and location details to emergency dispatchers. The new interface is designed to give first responders a more accurate awareness of an incident prior to arrival on scene.
“The preparedness and professionalism of our public safety personnel help make our community one of the safest in the nation. With Prepared Live, we equip our first responders and our residents with a tool that will deliver an even more accessible, inclusive, efficient, and robust public safety response,” said Mayor Gaylor Baird.
LECC dispatchers determine the appropriate level of response, then send a Prepared Live link to 911 and non-emergency callers that activates enhanced livestreaming and messaging options. The information from community members already on the scene of an incident is then shared in real time with responders on their way to the site.
“Obtaining the best possible information from callers and sharing it with our officers and fire personnel in the field efficiently and effectively can have an impact on the overall success of our mission,” Jackson said. “The potential ability to see what is occurring before our arrival provides significant safety benefits to the first responder and can facilitate decision making in advance of being on scene.”
The platform also expands community access by offering instantaneous translation into 140 different languages for written communication, and text access for deaf and hard of hearing community members, Loos said.
“Prepared Live enables our 911 professionals to collaborate with our community members and partners simultaneously in any emergency, removing those information-sharing barriers that once existed with the permission of the caller,” Loos said.
Loos noted that Prepared Live also allows emergency telecommunicators to respond to those that have dialed for emergency services and didn’t connect – to confirm whether services are needed. The LECC has received 7,753 abandoned 911 calls so far in 2023, she said.
Prepared Live is in service now, Loos said, and LECC tested the platform and trained staff during the summer. Implementation of the product and training cost $49,800.