ROSWELL, GA — The Roswell City Council has approved $2 million in funding to upgrade the city’s outdated 911 dispatch and records system, with plans to improve emergency response times and expand communication options for residents.
The funding includes a $1 million federal grant and an additional $1 million from the city.
Roswell Police Maj. Noah Caplan says the federal grant requires the city to contribute an equal amount toward the project.
“The city is required to provide a 50% match. The grant request for $1 million with a required city match of $1 million,” Caplan said.
The upgrades come after the city’s current system experienced ongoing technical problems that officials say have affected emergency operations.
“We’ve experienced frequent outages,” Caplan said.
Caplan says the outdated technology has also created challenges for emergency responders.
“These deficiencies hamper response times and they increase the operational risk for Roswell’s residents,” Caplan said.
The upgraded system is expected to improve response times while allowing residents to communicate with 911 dispatchers through text and video in addition to traditional voice calls.
The improvements follow the opening of a new E-911 center in Roswell earlier this year.
City officials are still working to establish a timeline for installing and launching the upgraded system.
WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Keith Cromwell contributed to this story.