Fairfax County, VA – The Fairfax County Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), in collaboration with the Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC) and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD), has implemented new artificial intelligence (AI) technology to significantly enhance emergency response by identifying critical information from 911 calls in real time. This initiative also includes the permanent assignment of FCFRD personnel to the RTCC, strengthening inter-agency cooperation.
The AI technology continuously transcribes 911 calls, trained on Fairfax County’s dispatch protocols. This allows the system to recognize qualifying incidents and immediately notify RTCC personnel, enabling a Drone as First Responder (DFR) deployment while dispatchers continue their process. This provides officers and firefighters with real-time aerial intelligence before they arrive on scene, improving situational awareness and supporting faster, more informed decision-making. Callers can also voluntarily share live videos, photographs, or their location via a secure link.
Chief of Police Kevin Davis said, "The Real Time Crime Center continues to transform how we respond to emergencies by putting innovative technology to work in support of our officers, firefighters, and dispatchers. Using AI to identify critical information from 911 calls in real time allows us to deploy resources faster, improve situational awareness, and provide responders with the information they need to make better decisions." Chief Butler added, "The RTCC expansion is innovation in action. It’s proof of what’s possible when agencies come together with one mission."
The technology, which includes Axon’s Prepared platform, is designed to assist 911 professionals, not replace them. Dispatchers retain responsibility for evaluating information and making dispatch decisions, with AI serving as an additional tool. This reflects Fairfax County’s commitment to responsibly leveraging innovative technology through strong public safety partnerships. Director Brillman emphasized that interoperability combines technology, people, and trusted relationships for seamless coordination.