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Owensboro dispatch demonstrates CAD, texting and drone/air-evac integrations in 9-1-1 presentation
Summary
Central dispatch detailed its computer-aided dispatch, wireless mapping, text-to-9-1-1 and air-evac coordination capabilities and explained why the city replaced a reverse-911 product and is migrating sirens to 800 MHz.
Paul Neddy, Owensboro central dispatch lead, gave an overview of the city’s emergency-dispatch technology on Sept. 16, demonstrating how computer-aided dispatch (CAD), mapping, text-to-9-1-1 and integrations with external dispatch centers and air-ambulance services reduce response time.
Neddy described the city’s responsibilities—Owensboro Police and Fire Departments, Daviess County Sheriff and Fire Departments, school police and animal control—and showed an audio clip and timeline of a medical call to illustrate that CAD-initiated responses can mobilize EMS and fire units in roughly 40 seconds. He explained the CAD-to-CAD transfer that allows neighboring centers to receive call data and begin emergency medical dispatch while units are en route.
Neddy said Owensboro discontinued its reverse-9-1-1 service after landline coverage declined and low registration rates made the product cost-ineffective. He described the city’s radio infrastructure (multiple towers and multiple channels by discipline), ongoing migration of tornado sirens to more secure 800 MHz technology and the city’s texting-to-9-1-1 capability, which Owensboro was among the first in the state to adopt.
Other technologies Neddy demonstrated included high-resolution GIS parcel and block-range data to improve address validation, the what3words location service for pinpointing callers in remote or trail areas, aerial photography updated every two years and a portal to notify and coordinate with AirEvac (including lat/long and landing-zone details).
Commissioners praised dispatch work; Commissioner Curtis Maglinger and others recounted a recent call in which prompt 9-1-1 response assisted a family member. Neddy said the city handled 14,493 calls resulting in medical responses last year and that the map-based tools are crucial for triage and accurate response.
Neddy concluded by acknowledging federal support for 9-1-1 funding from Congressman Guthrie’s office and said the system’s components reduce response time and increase coordination across agencies.
City officials thanked dispatch staff for the presentation.
