Chesterfield ready to launch enhanced 911 system

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Chesterfield County Emergency Communications Center (ECC) is preparing to launch new software that will allow callers to voluntarily live stream an emergency scene if they need to.

The system is called Prepared911. When a resident calls the Chesterfield ECC, the dispatcher will first ask the caller to verify their phone number. The dispatcher will then send a link for that caller to voluntarily turn on their camera to show their surroundings to the dispatcher.

“Being able to actually point their phone and show us what they’re seeing, so we can get an accurate description to our responders, is going to be a huge help, so we won’t waste resources or time,” said Kathryn Zawadzki, an Emergency Communications Officer.

The technology will be used for specific types of calls — like violent crimes or fires — allowing the dispatcher and first responders to better gauge what resources are needed.

However, it will only work with the caller’s consent, and it will always start with the camera pointed away from the caller, but they can flip it around if needed. The county said the video call function does not provide Chesterfield ECC with access to contents or settings in the caller’s phone.

There’s also an option for the screen to go black if the caller is in a situation where the phone light might put them in danger. The dispatcher can also blur the screen on their end if it is too graphic and they want to protect their mental health.

“I think the more important thing about using this technology is to enhance what we can do in our efficiency and make sure we have call takers available for other emergencies that come in,” said Tommy Tucker, Director of Chesterfield Emergency Communications.

Tucker said the ECC had nearly 600,000 calls in 2023 — which is equivalent to around one call every 52 seconds. He also said that Chesterfield is now the second locality in central Virginia to get this technology, behind Colonial Heights.

After months of training, employees like Zawadzki are ready to use the software.

“Getting one more tool for us to use to help [callers] even better is always just going to make the job a lot easier. I feel like we’re going to be able to feel like we’re doing more,” Zawadzki said.

The software will officially be launched for the county on Sunday, Sept. 1.

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