North Texas Cities Adopt New AT&T 911 Emergency Tech; Stacy Schwartz Quoted

The North Texas Emergency Communications Center has used AT&T-based technology to update its 911 emergency communications across four cities and towns.

The company said Thursday its new NextGen911 system builds on AT&T’s Emergency Services IP Network, or ESInet, platform, service designed to route calls for public safety answering points.

ESInet offers a network architecture that allows for a modernized 911 experience with boosted reliability. The NextGen911 system also complies with the National Emergency Number Association’s i3 architecture standards.

NTECC partner cities Carrollton, Coppell and Farmers Branch as well as the town of Addison have all implemented the new 911 system.

“We needed a system that was built to carry the load of the entire organization, so when someone calls 911, their call will be directed to the call taker in the best position to help them,” said Terry Goswick, executive director at NTECC.

NextGen911 is designed to allow for situation-tailored response, accommodate large call volumes via distribution, resume service during disasters and boost situational awareness.

“We’ve made it our mission to provide efficient and effective enhanced 911 emergency communications that assist cities, counties and states in responding to emergency calls,” said Stacy Schwartz, vice president for public safety and FirstNet at AT&T.