SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (KMOX) - Illinois will begin to implement a new, internet-based 911 system later this year that is expected to improve communication and response time between residents and authorities.
Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Brendan F. Kelly and Statewide 911 Administrator Cindy Barbera-Brelle announced the statewide Next Generation 911 (NG911) network will "be more reliable, reduce response times, and provide greater accuracy in delivering calls to the proper responding agency." It will also allow for residents to text 911 and send pictures or video to telecommunicators.
“This critical mission was given to the Illinois State Police because it is vital to public safety and we are getting it done. A whole generation of people grew up learning the three numbers that would bring help. With NG911, we’ll have expanded functionality to provide emergency response for the generation who grew up with the Internet,” said ISP Director Kelly.
The initial price of the project is estimated at approximately $109 million dollars over a span of 10 years. Work on the project is expected to begin in the last quarter of this year.
“This is an exciting opportunity for the State, the first responder communities, and the citizens of Illinois,” said Administrator Barbera-Brelle. “NG911 will improve the public’s access to emergency response services by allowing 911 centers to exchange additional data and information with responders, improve call processing times, enhance situational awareness, and increase responder safety.”
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