AI on call: George Mason and Fairfax County dial up emergency response

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When you have a dire emergency you want help from wherever you can get it. Even if it's from an AI voice assistant.

George Mason University received a grant of nearly $1 million from the National Institute of Standards and Technology for enhancing emergency response, specifically using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve training and other capabilities of the emergency communication systems in Northern Virginia. The funding was made possible through the efforts of Congressman Gerry Connolly, who sponsored the proposal.

"As we strive to improve our emergency preparedness and response capabilities, it is absolutely critical that we recognize the potential of new and emerging technologies-including AI," said Connolly. "By utilizing this technology safely and effectively in our public safety systems, we can reduce response times, lighten the workload for 911 call centers and first responders, and better communicate with the community during emergency situations. I am so proud to have secured this important funding, and I look forward to seeing these federal dollars put to good use for the betterment of all of us who call Fairfax County home."

This work will be performed by George Mason's transdisciplinary Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities (C-RASC) team. "This work is only possible by engaging a unique transdisciplinary team representing three different colleges, toward enhancing emergency communications resiliency and effectiveness with AI," said Paul Houser, C-RASC executive director. "We thank Congressman Connolly and the George Mason transdisciplinary vision for the realization of this project, and look forward to making a difference in Fairfax emergency management and beyond."

Linton Wells II, executive advisor to the Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities and to the C5I Center at George Mason, said that the university is actively engaged with the Fairfax County Department of Public Safety and Communications (Fairfax County's 9-1-1 Center), as well as other emergency management organizations.

Fairfax County's 9-1-1 center receives around 400,000 emergency calls annually. Photo provided by Fairfax County

"We talked to public safety officials around Fairfax and the most receptive entity was the 9-1-1 call center," he said. "We were invited to join operators on the call center floor and observe them taking calls and dispatching people, which was very impressive. They really are interested in training and would like to spend more time talking to the community about what they do."

Wells added that AI can improve public safety effectiveness in numerous ways.

"It could help reduce delays in processing calls, enhance caller experiences, and improve dispatching efficiency, for example. The plan is to begin by using it to improve training, which is an excellent place to get immediate gains and learn more about how it best can be used."

George Mason will work with local communities to make citizens more aware of what's being done in emergency preparedness and will provide feedback to public safety officials. The technology can also help officials interpret public sentiment as a disaster is occurring, supporting another goal of the project, which is to improve stakeholder engagement and enhancing support to underserved communities.

Karina V. Korostelina, professor and director of the Sustainable Peace Lab at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict resolution said that the university will work with local officials on further outreach and communication efforts in support of the project. "Our task is to create a systemic community engagement plan that involves Neighborhood and Community Services, Immigration Services, Fairfax County Public Schools and libraries in educating community members about the use of 911 and the role of AI. We also will conduct multiple focus groups and townhalls to understand community concerns and facilitate participatory approaches to the improvement of Public Safety and Communications," she said. Her team that includes Ph.D. student and a post-doc will implement cutting edge practices of co-creation and community empowerment to enhance collaboration between communities and Government agencies in Fairfax.

"Since 9-1-1's inception in 1968, voice communication has been the cornerstone of 9-1-1 emergency services," said Andrew Clarke, Assistant Director of Operations in the Department of Public Safety Communications, Fairfax County 9-1-1. "However, with the rise of smartphones, smart homes, and AI, our community has moved beyond traditional voice-based interaction" noted Clarke. "This new partnership with George Mason will allow us to reimagine our workflows, not just improving service, but setting a new benchmark for community engagement. We are transforming the 9-1-1 landscape to ensure we are as innovative and forward-thinking as the technologies that surround us today."