(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today that Washington and Monroe counties are the first in the state to fully implement Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) technology. This milestone is a key part of the Governor’s 2024-2025 Executive Budget, which prioritizes the adoption of NG9-1-1 to improve emergency response times and save lives.
“Every second counts when we are talking about saving lives,” said Governor DeWine. “Next Generation 9-1-1 makes emergency services more efficient, especially in rural areas of Ohio, where it is critical to have strong and reliable communication infrastructure.”
NG9-1-1 brings advanced communication capabilities to emergency response, including text messaging and more precise caller location identification. These upgrades are expected to reduce call transfers between 9-1-1 centers, streamlining the response process and improving efficiency.
In Washington County, early data shows the positive impact of the system. Between December 18 and 22, 37% of calls were directly routed to the appropriate 9-1-1 center, eliminating the need for call transfers and speeding up response times.
Washington and Monroe counties are part of a group of ten pilot counties leading the way in the transition to NG9-1-1. Other counties in this initial phase include Athens, Carroll, Champaign, Columbiana, Hardin, Harrison, Morgan, and Union.
The state’s 2024-2025 operating budget allocated $46 million to fund the infrastructure costs associated with NG9-1-1. The Ohio 9-1-1 Program office, part of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), is overseeing the migration to the new system, coordinating with state, federal, and local public safety officials.
“Governor DeWine’s leadership was essential in advancing this migration, and we are thrilled to see Next Generation 9-1-1 becoming a reality in Ohio,” said DAS Director Kathleen C. Madden.
The statewide NG9-1-1 system is expected to be fully operational by the spring of 2025. Counties that have not yet migrated will have five years to adopt the new system, ensuring all Ohioans benefit from improved emergency response capabilities.