The Lewis County E-911 Dispatch Center has completed its migration to Next Generation 911, marking the most significant upgrade to the county’s emergency communications system in decades, following several weeks of preparation and two days of testing and system migration.
The transition replaces the legacy analog-based 911 network with a modern digital system designed to improve the speed, accuracy, and reliability of emergency communications while providing new capabilities that will continue to expand in the coming years.
Emergency Management Director Dennis Brown said the successful migration positions the county to provide faster, more effective service while leveraging technology that simply wasn’t possible under the previous system.
“Next Generation 911 is a tremendous step forward for Lewis County,” Brown said. “Our dispatchers now have access to more accurate location information, improved reliability, and a platform that will continue to grow as additional features become available. When someone calls 911, every second matters, and anything that helps us locate callers faster and provide better information to first responders has the potential to save lives.”
One of the most significant features of the new system is enhanced Text-to-911 capability.
Brown said the technology provides a vital communications option for people who are deaf or hearing impaired, as well as victims of domestic violence, active violence incidents or other emergencies where speaking aloud could place someone in greater danger.
“There are situations where making a voice call simply isn’t possible,” Brown said. “Text-to-911 gives people another way to reach help when remaining silent is critical or when they are unable to communicate by voice. That capability alone makes this upgrade incredibly important.”
The new platform also provides more accurate caller location information through advanced mapping technology and establishes the foundation for future capabilities, including the ability to receive photos, videos and additional real-time data from compatible devices as those features are implemented statewide.
Judge Executive George Sparks said the transition reflects the county’s continued commitment to investing in public safety.
“Our dispatchers are the first first responders,” Sparks said. “This modernization gives them better tools to do their jobs and helps ensure our law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel receive the most accurate information possible while responding to emergencies. It’s an investment in the safety of everyone who lives in or visits Lewis County.”
Gov. Andy Beshear announced the statewide rollout of Next Generation 911 in June as part of an effort to modernize all 117 public safety answering points (PSAPs) across the Commonwealth by the end of 2027.
The digital system replaces aging infrastructure and is designed to improve interagency communications, increase system resiliency, and provide more precise caller location information.
Amy Hess, executive director of the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, said this new system will modernize the current system, which gathers only minimal location information and emergency data.
“It transforms emergency access by allowing text, voice, photos and video calls from any compatible device,” she said. “This gives dispatchers and first responders far greater situational awareness of what they’re facing before they arrive on scene.”
First responders will be directed to a more precise location because of the added benefits of mapping technology.
Brown said completing the migration places Lewis County among the growing number of Kentucky dispatch centers now operating on the Next Generation 911 network. Lewis County 911 is the 26th PSAP in the state to make the upgrade.
“Our telecommunicators handled the transition exceptionally well,” he said. “The planning, testing, and migration process required a tremendous team effort, and we’re pleased to have successfully completed the upgrade while continuing to provide uninterrupted emergency communications service to the public.”
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