Cleveland - Cuyahoga County commissioned a countywide assessment of the local 9-1-1 system in 2013. A robust 9-1-1 communications system, capable of accepting all calls for emergency services, is a critical element of public safety. The assessment revealed that the 9-1-1 technology in Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) across the County averaged nearly 10 years old. Much of the 9-1-1 equipment in use was no longer even being manufactured.

In response to these findings, Cuyahoga County took steps to fulfill the urgent need to upgrade the local 9-1-1 system. In August of 2013, the County entered into a contract with Emergency CallWorks (ECW, since acquired by Motorola Solutions) to implement a system upgrade, and separately contracted with AT&T to provide the network for the 9-1-1 upgrade.

As of this week, every primary dispatch center in the County and two secondary dispatch centers, 37 centers overall, have received the new equipment and are completely live on the system. The entire contract includes 10 years of equipment and maintenance for all PSAPs, funded by the County, with the option to reevaluate if funding streams change. The system includes a complete 5 year refresh as part of the contract. Network fees are also covered.

Additional information: 

• Partners include ECW (Motorola), County Public Safety, 911 TAC, LR Kimball Public Safety Consultants and AT&T.
• Cuyahoga County paid for/provided hardware, training and the network. The total project cost (10 years) is approximately $15 Million.
• The City of Cleveland went live in their new dispatch center Tuesday September 29th.
• The system has updated mapping capabilities, with significant upgrades in mapping/technology from what previous systems provided.
• The system contains the ability for any dispatcher to go to another center, log in, and immediately receive calls –previous 9-1-1 systems in the County did not have this capability.
• The new network is Next Generation 9-1-1 ready for when the State of Ohio installs the core services.
• Now the entire County is networked as one 9-1-1 system, rather than each entity being independent. The system is built with significant room for expansion, so that others, including contiguous counties, could also be part of the system.