The City of Alexandria was presented with a 2020 Solutions Award for being the first city in the country to enable 911 dispatchers to take calls from home. This allowed for emergency response staff to be distant from each other to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Computer Technology Industry Association and Public Technology Institute presents the awards each year to cities and counties that have implemented technology in the last 15 months that positively impacts local government performance and public service.
Alexandria was recognized in the Public Safety and Emergency Management, Community Resiliency category along with Travis County, Texas.
“The City of Alexandria is proud to be the first in the nation to introduce this innovative technology solution,” said City Manager Mark Jinks. “Not only has developing an at-home capability for 911 staff helped them to continue their lifesaving services during these unprecedented times, it also provides a replicable mode for governments and other organizations to follow.”
On March 6, a group of the City’s Department of Emergency and Customer Communications employees tested out taking non-emergency calls through wireless hotspots connected to FirstNet, a national public safety network FirstNet. After a successful month-long pilot, the program was expanded to all 911 calls, according to the City’s press release.
Before the program was expanded, workers were divided into groups to help reduce the spread of the virus across the staff.
The City assures: "Regardless of the location, staff comply with the same strict confidentiality and quality assurance standards, and have access to the same computer-aided dispatch system that helps route public safety resources."
Nine other local governments were given a 2020 Solutions Award for various initiatives, including Montgomery County, Maryland.
