REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. — The Rehoboth Beach 911 Center has added new tools to enhance emergency response like multimedia-to-911 capabilities and real-time text translation services.
The center says the upgrades are designed to provide more effective and inclusive service to locals and visitors alike. Through the multimedia-to-911 tool, callers can now send videos and photos during emergencies. This technology allows dispatchers to see what the caller is experiencing, helping first responders better assess and respond to situations before arriving on scene.
“The more information we can give responders, the better care they can provide,” said Rehoboth Emergency Communications Manager Nicholas Priddy. “This is another critical tool in our toolbox.”
Priddy added that the 911 Center will continue to prioritize gathering information through traditional dispatch protocols, using videos and images when they are relevant and helpful. Priddy highlighted specific situations where the video feature could be especially useful, such as water rescues, reports of missing children or when the caller is unfamiliar with the area.
In addition to multimedia support, the center has also introduced a significant improvement for people who do not speak English. Text messages sent to 911 in a variety of languages can now be automatically translated so dispatchers receive the message in English. Their responses are then translated back into the caller's original language, creating a more inclusive emergency communication system.