Stories get modified as it is passed from one person to another, some details will be omitted, added, and at some point, things get lost in translation. The same is true when 911 calls and its details are relayed from the call-taker to the dispatcher to the first responder on the field. Live911 is designed to ensure that the first responder gets the most accurate and detailed information they need to safely do their job of protecting and serving the community.

Joining this session are Captains Greg Goreck, Don Redmond, and Fritz Reber. Retired Captain Fritz Reber served Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) and was the visionary behind the concept of the Live911. Meanwhile, Captain Don Redmond, also from CVPD is currently overseeing the agency’s implementation of Live911 and Drone Operations. Finally, Captain Greg Goreck is from the Polk County Sheriffs Office where he’s currently the commander of the Southeast District.

Topics discussed in this webinar include:

• The inception of Live 911
  • Reber’s experience as a law enforcement officer assigned as a dispatch manager.
  • The key challenge he’s identified where time delay and data decay result in less than ideal outcomes for calls for service including case examples of these.
  • Live911’s roots in the academe and research in his aim to address the 911 Gap.
  • Partnering with Higher Ground to realize the vision that is Live911through their technology.
  • The integrations with other existing law enforcement systems serving as a force multiplier to the benefits of Live911.
• Chula Vista’s implementation of Live911.
  • The county’s challenges with manpower and response time and how innovations in technology allowed them to manage these.
  • Augmenting the real-time capability by using Live911 in conjunction with their Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program.
  • How Live911 benefitted Chula Vista by:
    • Allowing their first responders to respond in record time, provide appropriate response, and even de-escalate incidents.
    • Having better communication between end-users which improved efficiency.
    • Enhancing the relationship between the community and the first responders.
  • Polk County’s implementation of Live911.
    • The county’s geographic expanse which poses challenges in their aim to serve the public and the initiatives they employed to address this.
    • Going back to Mulberry in 1972 when the response to calls for service where timely and personalized and how Live911 made this possible in the present time.
    • The benefits of Live911 for Polk County:
      • A more timely, proactive, and effective response based on nuances gathered from the call itself.
      • Better teamwork between dispatchers and first responders as they have better empathy and understanding of each other’s roles.
    • Instances when Live911 allowed Polk County to successfully address calls for service, from petty disturbance calls to homicides, and even fire.
    • Factors that Polk County considered for implementing Live911 which includes the technology, training, policies, and raising awareness within the community.

Topics tackled in the Q&A were about:

• Incorporating Text to 911 to Live911.
• Live911 technology outside of the United States and outside of law enforcement.
• Higher Ground’s proprietary technology.
• Officers’ ability to access callers outside their geofence and playback calls.
• Dispatcher’s view of the calls and units responding.
• Integration with Rapid SOS.
• Prioritizing calls based on urgency.
• Responder’s ability to chime in the conversation and ask for clarifications.
• The cost of adopting Live911 for an agency.
• Types of details within the call that can serve as cues on how to respond to an incident more appropriately.

Audience Comments

• “It was nice to see and hear about this new tech and to hear the testimonials of those using the technology.” — David
• “It was great to hear the positive aspects this technology can bring to officers on patrol.” — Diana
• “Good technology for law enforcement to help the community and keep officers safe.” — Dan
• “I found the response from the officers very beneficial. Being able to hear the caller’s urgency or lack of extremely helpful. .. Also that the officers could understand our dilemma in obtaining the details and being accurate…..a lot of very good information. Thank you.” — Jenny
• “Great presentation on, Livestream 911 Calls Directly to First Responders for Improved Situational Awareness and Faster Response Times” — Tangela