New 999 Call Centre Technology Reduces Emergency Response Times

A new technology upgrade at Ireland's 999 call centres has reduced average emergency response dispatch times by 15 seconds. The system uses advanced location tracking and AI-assisted call handling to speed up emergency response.

Advanced Location Technology

The new system incorporates Advanced Mobile Location (AML) technology, which automatically transmits a caller's precise GPS coordinates when they dial 999. This eliminates the need for callers to describe their location, crucial in situations where they may be distressed or unfamiliar with the area.

The technology works with all modern smartphones and provides location accuracy within 50 meters in most cases, compared to the several hundred meters typical of older cell tower-based systems.

"In emergency situations, every second counts. This technology upgrade means we can dispatch help faster than ever before, potentially saving more lives."

— Director, Emergency Call Answering Service

AI-Assisted Call Handling

The system also includes AI-assisted call categorization, which helps operators quickly identify the type of emergency and route calls to the appropriate service. The AI can detect keywords and urgency levels in callers' voices, helping prioritize life-threatening emergencies.

Investment and Training

The €8 million technology upgrade was funded by the Department of Justice and includes comprehensive training for all 999 call operators. The system has been tested extensively and is now fully operational across all emergency call centres in Ireland.