NG911: Advancing from Operational Foundations to Complete Situational Awareness Across Agencies
Posted in All, NGA911 on Jul 23, 2025
Simply answering 911 calls is no longer enough to meet today’s public safety needs and demands. Emergency response teams now require live insights, multimedia data, and multi-agency coordination to make crucial decisions faster and more effectively than ever before. That’s where NG911 (Next Generation 911) comes in—transforming 911 call centers into data-powered, interoperable command hubs.
In this blog from NGA, we’ll discuss how the shift from basic operational awareness to complete situational awareness is not just a technological transition—it’s an operational necessity for public safety.
Table of Contents:
- Operational Awareness: The Foundation of Next Generation 911
- From Reactive to Proactive: The Rise of Situational Awareness
- Breaking Silos: Multi-Agency Coordination in Action
- Technology Enablers: AI, GIS, and Live Dashboards
- Cybersecurity: Protecting the Flow of Information
- Timeline and Funding: What’s Available This Year
- Conclusion
Operational Awareness: The Foundation of Next Generation 911
NG911 was first envisioned to modernize outdated analog 911 systems by supporting live caller location sharing, digital call handling, and IP and cloud-based call routing. The system’s technology and the foundational shift to Next Generation 911 has brought meaningful improvements. These include, but are not limited to:
- More precise caller location information
- Faster 911 call delivery across jurisdictions
- Better handling of real-time text, voice, and TTY communications
However, these enhancements—while vital—still represent reactive operations. To boost public safety, agencies must shift from receiving data to actively using it in real time.
Important Note: As of 2025, over 75% of U.S. states have begun some level of NG911 implementation, but only a portion have achieved end-to-end IP-based interoperability. This means many agencies are still missing out on the full capabilities of the system.
From Reactive to Proactive: The Rise of Situational Awareness
Situational awareness regarding Next Generation 911 means having a complete view and understanding of an incident as it occurs. This includes not just the initial emergency call, but also supporting information that NG911 technology provides. This information includes:
- Live photos, text messages, and videos from 911 callers
- Real-time location tracking through GIS
- Live incident updates from IoT devices (connected cars, building alarms, street cameras)
- Cross-agency data like EMS vitals or CAD information
This richer data and context allow public safety responders to move from dispatchers to true operational coordinators.
Pro Tip: Agencies can unlock complete situational awareness by integrating NG911 systems with other powerful technology systems, like Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), RMS (Records Management Systems), and even drone and bodycam feeds.
Breaking Silos: Multi-Agency Coordination in Action
One of NG911’s most significant breakthroughs is the system's ability to connect emergency services and PSAPs across jurisdictions. This connectivity means:
- Agencies can share incident details in an instant using standardized formats like EIDO (Emergency Incident Data Object)
- A law enforcement dispatcher can see EMS and fire updates in real time
- Mutual aid and cross-county response is streamlined with fewer communication delays
As incidents become more complicated—ranging from natural disasters to active shooter events—this interoperability is crucial for unified situational command.
Did You Know? FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security now encourage states to include interagency Next Generation 911 plans in their regional emergency response grants.
Technology Enablers: AI, GIS, and Live Dashboards
Next Generation 911 is about more than just implementing better phone systems—it’s about using smart infrastructure to boost emergency response services and efficiency. Some of these enabling technologies include:
- AI and Machine Learning: Helps prioritize calls, detect false alarms, and recommend optimal resource deployment
- GIS (Geographic Information Systems): Enables precise caller location, layered with critical infrastructure maps
- Data Dashboards: Provide PSAPs with visual summaries of active events, personnel locations, and resource availability
Emerging Trend: More NG911 vendors are now building AI-enhanced features directly into dispatcher software to help with data triage, especially in high-volume situations like natural disasters.
Cybersecurity: Protecting the Flow of Information
With great information comes great responsibility. As NG911 systems grow more interconnected, cybersecurity becomes a top priority. Agencies must adopt:
- End-to-end encryption and secure data transport protocols
- Continuous threat monitoring and incident response plans
- Compliance with CISA and NIST cybersecurity guidelines
Failing to secure Next Generation 911 infrastructure risks not only operational downtime, but also the integrity of life-saving communications.
Timeline and Funding: What’s Available This Year
Many public safety agencies still worry about the expense of implementing NG911. While it’s a real concern, there are options available. Several funding streams exist, which include:
- State-level Homeland Security and Emergency Management funds
- FCC interoperability compliance support grants
Tip: Agencies should prepare readiness evaluations and implementation roadmaps now to qualify for competitive funding in the near future.
Conclusion
The future of emergency response relies on moving beyond answering the call—and toward understanding the entire incident ecosystem. NG911 enables agencies to do just that: advancing from basic operational capabilities to data-driven, dynamic, multi-agency coordination.
The tools are here. The infrastructure is being built. The question now is: Are you ready to lead with situational awareness? If so, contact our NG911 experts at NGA today to get started!