AGENCY TESTIMONY
Discussion of Introduction 197: Reporting on text-to-911 language availability
0:08:31
·
76 sec
Barbera addresses Introduction 197, which proposes requiring OTI to report on the future availability of text-to-911 in designated city languages.
- Currently, on-site language translation support for 911 is available in Spanish, with other languages supported through LanguageLine.
- No changes to language availability are anticipated when the first phase of NG911 is completed next year.
- Future enhancements may include real-time translation technology for text-to-911 in multiple languages.
- Barbera suggests that progress reporting on language accessibility could be incorporated into existing reporting schedules.
Robert Barbera
0:08:31
Next, introduction 197 proposes to require OTI to report on the future availability of text to 911 in the designated city languages.
0:08:44
Today, on-site language translation support for 911 callers and texters is in Spanish, with other language translation services supported through LanguageLine.
0:08:56
There is no anticipated change to language availability when the first phase of NG 911 is completed next year.
0:09:04
However, one of the major advantages of Next Generation 911 is that the foundation of a modern system allows us to evaluate newer technologies to continue to enhance callers' and texters' experiences.
0:09:20
While our focus and priority at this stage in implementation is to make a seamless cutover to the new IP based system, acquiring technology that would be able to translate text to 911 in real time is in our roadmap for future enhancements.
0:09:38
Reporting our progress on this endeavor could be folded into our existing reporting schedule to keep the council and the public informed.
