Robeson County Improves Emergency Response Time With New Dispatch Software

Robeson County 911 Emergency Operations installed new communications software that slashed call response times by over 90 seconds during its first month. The CAD-to-CAD system links the county's dispatch services with Lumberton's center, allowing instant data sharing.

The software has operated in Lumberton for just over a month. Chad Deese, communications director, said the system eliminates phone calls between dispatchers during crises.

"For years, when if calls came in from a city and they needed a county response or we've got it in the county and we needed a city response, we've constantly had to call each other, saying, 'we need an ambulance here; we need a fire truck there,'" Deese said, per The Robesonian. "We've integrated our systems so we can see updates and send data calls instantly between the two 911 centers here in Robeson County."

Officials also installed ASAP-to-PSAP software, which connects dispatchers straight to alarm companies' alert networks.

Alarm companies used to call 911 with details about triggered alarms. The system now automatically sends alerts to dispatchers' screens. Location data appears. Homeowner information appears, along with the sensor that was activated.

Shaving 90 seconds off response time makes a huge difference when lives hang in the balance. Deese said Pembroke and UNC Pembroke will meet with county emergency dispatch officials to discuss implementing the system in their areas.