Fairfax County, VA – The Fairfax County Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), in partnership with the Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC) and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD), has implemented new artificial intelligence technology that enhances emergency response by identifying critical information from 911 calls in real time. The announcement also marks the permanent assignment of FCFRD personnel to the RTCC as part of a long-term pilot program, further strengthening collaboration between police, fire, and emergency communications.
The AI technology continuously transcribes 911 calls as they occur and is trained using Fairfax County’s dispatch protocols and response procedures. This allows the system to recognize qualifying incidents and immediately notify RTCC personnel, enabling a Drone as First Responder (DFR) deployment while dispatchers continue gathering information and completing the dispatch process.
“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,” said Chief of Police Kevin Davis. “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. This is another example of how technology is helping us solve crimes, strengthen investigations, and better protect our community.”
By launching drones earlier in the response, officers and firefighters can receive real-time aerial intelligence before arriving on scene, improving situational awareness and supporting faster, more informed decision-making. When appropriate, the technology also allows callers to voluntarily share live videos, photographs, or their location through a secure link, providing additional information to emergency responders.
“The RTCC expansion is innovation in action. By working alongside our police and communications partners, FCFRD can get more accurate information, leading to the faster dispatch of needed resources and allowing our crews to arrive on scene with a clearer picture of what’s waiting for them. It’s proof of what’s possible when agencies come together with one mission. It’s why Fairfax County continues to stand out as one of the most progressive and innovative public safety communities in the country,” said Chief Butler.
The technology, which includes Axon’s Prepared platform, is designed to assist, not replace, 911 professionals. Dispatchers remain responsible for evaluating information and making dispatch decisions, while AI serves as an additional tool to enhance situational awareness and improve emergency response. This initiative reflects Fairfax County’s continued commitment to responsibly leveraging innovative technology through strong partnerships between public safety agencies.
“We’re incredibly proud of the relationships we’ve built with our public safety partners. Those partnerships are the foundation of everything we do. Interoperability is not just technology; it’s the combination of technology, people, and relationships. Technology provides the capability, people bring the expertise, and trusted relationships make it all work. When those three come together, we’re able to deliver the seamless coordination our community expects and deserves,” said Director Brillman
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