Gasconade County first to install new Next Generation 911 system

HERMANN, Mo. (KMIZ)

Dialing the number 911 instead of a seven-digit number for emergencies started in Gasconade County in 1995 and the county is now implementing a new system to better connect callers to first responders in emergencies.

The new system, called Next Generation 911, was created by ATT and will replace the decades-old 911 analog infrastructure. NG911 uses IP addresses from callers and sends the location to dispatch quicker and allows the caller to send photos and videos as well.

Lisa Thacker, director of Gasconade 911, said the system was installed on June 13 and has been working well for dispatchers.

"It's been working great, the location is better," Thacker said. "Most of the time it just pinpoints exactly where the phone is calling from.

"There many times, especially if there's a vehicle accident or something and they're [the caller] disoriented and they can't tell you where they were at or where they were driving. Having this, I mean, it's the difference between life and death sometimes."

According to a Facebook post from Missouri 911, 13 counties in Southeast Missouri are expected to get an NG911 system update by the end of the year, including Dent, Shannon, Oregon, Carter, Ripley, Perry, Bollinger, Madison, Wayne, Reynolds, St. Francois, St. Genevieve, and Iron County.

The system is being funded by the Missouri 911 Services Board Grant opportunity.