DISA Next Generation 9-1-1 solution helps save lives

by Lia Carvalho
Office of Strategic Communication and Public Affairs
April 18, 2022 

The Defense Information Systems Agency is leading a modernization solution and strategy that allows the military to transition to Next Generation 9-1-1, an updated 9-1-1 emergency response system that allows people to text 9-1-1 or make voice or video calls from any communications device.

Taking advantage of the latest technologies, Next Generation 9-1-1 saves lives by speeding up current 9-1-1 response times using enhanced location information and the latest multimedia processing.

Stationed on digital Internet Protocol-based networks, Next Generation 9-1-1 comes as an upgrade to current legacy analog technology, like that of old land-line telephones. It provides first responders and emergency management personnel, including 9-1-1 operators, fire and medical dispatchers, with new and better capabilities including:

• Integrated end-to-end information flow
• Text, video and imagery processing
• Enhanced location information
• Increased resiliency
• Interoperability with civilian mission partners
• Information sharing
• Enhanced mutual aid capabilities

DISA’s modernization strategy gives emergency communications centers the capability to receive callback numbers from the public, process and share 9–1–1 requests with other emergency communications centers regardless of jurisdiction, equipment, device, software or service provider.

Although this approach adds complexity, it promises a more comprehensive solution and ensures the integration and interoperability necessary within the Department of Defense.

Partnering with the DOD Chief Information Officer, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Emergency Communications Preparedness Center and the military, DISA will ensure the solution’s deployment maintains the integrity and security of the networks employed by the DOD.

The design will deliver a secure means of routing Next Generation 9-1-1 Session Initiation Protocol SIP-based calls over the DODIN – the Department of Defense Information Network.

“We look forward to working with the department to transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 and strengthen our nation’s emergency communications ecosystem,” said John Holloway, DISA Global Public Safety Communications Ecosystem Modernization deputy director.

DISA’s Next Generation 9-1-1 modernization solution and strategy will achieve cohesive 9-1-1 operating systems at civilian and military public safety answer points, or 9-1-1 call centers, and set a new standard for collecting, processing, storing, disseminating and managing information on demand to warfighters, policymakers and support personnel.