(WKBN) — Columbiana County will be in the pilot program for a new 911 technology.
Next Generation 9-1-1 will provide Ohioans with advanced communication capabilities when calling for emergency services, including text messaging.
NG9-1-1 will also reduce the number of call transfers between 911 centers with more precise caller locations.
It’s an effort by Governor Mike DeWine to improve emergency response times and save lives.
“Every second counts when we are talking about saving lives,” DeWine said. “Next Generation 9-1-1 makes emergency services more efficient, especially in the rural areas of Ohio where it is critical to have strong and reliable communication infrastructure.”
The system is expected to be up and running by spring. At that point, counties will have five years to mitigate the system if they haven’t done so already.
Washington and Monroe counties in southeastern Ohio have fully implemented the program.
There is $46 million budgeted in the upcoming fiscal year for the NG9-1-1 program.