“Every second counts when it comes to saving lives,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said last week. “Next Generation 9-1-1 improves emergency services efficiency, particularly in Ohio’s rural areas where reliable communication infrastructure is essential.”

And who is on the forefront of bringing that kind of technology to its residents? Washington and Monroe counties are the first in the state to fully implement Next Generation 9-1-1. Among the features of NG9-1-1 is an increased number of options during an emergency. The system can now receive text messages, for example. The system also minimizes call transfers between 9-1-1 centers by using more accurate caller location identification.

If the goal is to improve emergency response time and therefore save lives, the system is already working. According to data from Washington County, between Dec. 18-22, 2024, 37% of calls were routed directly to the appropriate 9-1-1 center. That increases the speed of response.

“The leadership of the DeWine Administration has been instrumental in advancing this migration, and we are pleased to collaborate with our partners to bring Next Generation 9-1-1 to Ohio,” said Ohio Department of Administrative Services Director Kathleen C. Madden.

Washington and Monroe counties can be proud of having been the first of those partners to fully implement the system and blaze a trail for everyone else. The statewide system is expected to be operational by spring, though counties will have five years to finish the transition.

Well done, to local officials who have ensured that by that time Washington and Monroe counties will be old hands at using this new system to the benefit of residents experiencing an emergency.