South Dakota is on the leading edge for 9-1-1 dispatch services with a new network that will link all dispatch centers in the state, and Mitchell was among the first to implement the new technology.
Dispatch centers, officially known as public safety answering points, around the state are implementing a system called Next Generation 9-1-1, which is a system of hardware, software, data and operational policies that includes a statewide digital telephone system and an IP-based network that links all dispatch centers together. "This is a first for South Dakota," said State 9-1-1 Coordinator Shawnie Rechtenbaugh. "We are blazing new territory with this statewide deployment of our Next Generation 9-1-1 system."
With NG 9-1-1, a dispatch center that is unable to answer 9-1-1 calls due to a power outage or other disaster could route its calls to a neighboring center. As well as allowing PSAPs to transfer 9-1-1 calls to other dispatch centers, NG 9-1-1 will allow people to make 9-1-1 calls via text, photo or video messages.