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Q&A
Challenges and plans for expanding language support in NG911
0:21:44
·
104 sec
Deputy Commissioner Barbera discusses the challenges and future plans for expanding language support in the Next Generation 911 system.
- Phase 2 of NG911 will involve evaluating additional technology for automatic language translation
- Current E911 and NG911 systems do not have automatic translation capabilities
- Spanish support is currently provided by Spanish-speaking call takers, not through automatic translation
- Expansion to other languages would require evaluation and testing of new technologies
Robert Barbera
0:21:44
The plan for phase 2 would involve evaluating additional technology to be layered on top of the next gen 911 system to translate incoming languages, transcribe them, and then translate them back.
0:22:03
This, the current e 911 system nor the current next gen 911 system has that capability today.
0:22:11
It's something that we would have to evaluate and test.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:22:15
It does have or does not have?
Robert Barbera
0:22:16
Does not have.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:22:17
Okay.
0:22:17
Yeah.
0:22:19
And, but does have it for Spanish?
Robert Barbera
0:22:24
It cannot automatically translate any languages.
0:22:27
The Spanish support is provided by Spanish speaking call takers.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:22:31
I see.
0:22:32
But if and you don't have the capability to do the same for a person in that additional language?
Robert Barbera
0:22:41
So, from an operational staffing perspective, that's supported by NYPD and FDNY.
0:22:47
Mhmm.
0:22:47
We'd have to take that question back to, the agencies and get back to you.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:22:52
Okay.
0:22:52
Because my understanding is, that they do have Obviously, they have persons or people to do those translations in those languages.
0:23:04
I don't know I'm not sure if it's necessarily language line.
0:23:07
So that's why I'm asking logistically how that's transcribed from someone texting in Spanish to 911.
0:23:12
You're saying it's it's a it's a person.
0:23:14
It's someone that's able to to interpret and then translate.
Robert Barbera
0:23:18
Correct.
0:23:18
English and Spanish only.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:23:20
Okay.
0:23:21
I'm gonna pass it off to council member Paladino, who I know has a couple questions and has to leave.
0:23:27
And and I'll come back.