Vivian Sade, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

Imagine not only calling 911 and reporting a traffic accident, but sending a text or video, as well.

That day is coming, thanks to new digital equipment being installed in 911 centers across the state.

This new technology will change the face of 911, said Timothy Lee, executive director of the Consolidated Communications Partnership, a merger of the emergency communication systems of Allen County and Fort Wayne.

The city and county are in the midst of replacing and installing the public safety communications and phone systems. The old analog systems were designed for landlines, but nationally more than 26 percent of 911 calls were made from a mobile device last year, according to the Indiana’s 911 website.

Of the 210,546 emergency 911 calls in Allen County last year, 71 percent were made from cellphones, according to Lee.

The new digital equipment not only will give the name and address of the caller – like the old system – but will give the exact geographical location and other pertinent information, as well, Lee said.

Counties will also be able to quickly transfer 911 calls – voice and data – when needed, something they were not able to do in the past, Lee said.

While the 911 call center handles emergency phone calls, Homeland Security is in charge of information management, said Allen County Department of Homeland Security Director Bernie Beier.

“The new digital equipment is cheaper and uses less space,” Beier said. “Right now the system answers the phones, but in the future it will do much more.”

Information will be stored in “information clouds,” a utility- type service that provides multiple users with access to a shared pool of information, accessible through the Internet.

“It takes up less space because all of the information is not in a physical tower that sits on the floor below your desk,” Beier said.  

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