Owensboro-Daviess County Central Dispatch has introduced an artificial intelligence system to improve responses to emergency calls. Director Paul Nave said the local dispatch center is one of the first in the southeastern US to adopt AI technology, which is expected to streamline processes and improve response times.

“This technology is designed to help us multitask more efficiently. In 911, we are constantly juggling multiple streams of information, from phone to radio, and this system transcribes radio communications almost instantaneously,” Nave said. “Now we can see what was said on the screen in real time, eliminating the need to re-record.”

The AI ​​software, called Delphini, is designed for real-time public safety communications. Nave said it can recognize key emergency terms like “second alarm” or “Mayday,” flags the words on the screen and highlights them in bold red so dispatchers can quickly address them. He said the feature improves officer and firefighter safety by reducing the chance of missing critical calls for assistance.

“The system does not replace jobs; increases them. This is ultimately a matter of officer and firefighter safety,” Nave explained. “If we can save 15 to 20 seconds by responding instantly, that could be the difference between life and death.”

Nave frequently attends national 911 conferences, where he met Delphini and recognized her potential to benefit Owensboro-Daviess County.

“This technology is still developing and there are challenges along the way. But we are committed to improving it every step of the way as it learns and adapts over time,” he said.

The department will spend the next few months refining the AI ​​through continued use and feedback, allowing the system to “learn” local speech patterns and specific terms unique to emergency calls in the area, Nave said. He added that the system receives a batch of patches every two weeks, becoming progressively more accurate with each update.

“Our enemy is time in the 911 world. If we can shave a few seconds off every task, we’re succeeding,” Nave said. “This technology is a powerful new tool to help us serve our community.”