Broward County approves 911 system with video streaming

Broward County residents will soon be able to livestream emergencies directly to 911 dispatchers under a major technology upgrade approved by county commissioners this week.

The Broward County Commission unanimously approved a $25 million agreement with Motorola to implement a Next Generation 911 system, a digital emergency communications platform designed to improve response times and provide dispatchers with more detailed information during emergencies.

The new system will allow callers to send recorded videos, livestream incidents in real time, and share more precise location information with emergency operators. Officials say the enhanced capabilities will give dispatchers and first responders a clearer understanding of situations as they unfold, helping them make faster and more informed decisions.

"This takes it to a whole other level of technology," Broward Mayor Mark Bogen said following Tuesday's vote. "This is like going from the modem to high-speed internet."

According to Bogen, the upgraded system will significantly improve the information available to emergency personnel before they arrive on scene. In addition to traditional voice calls, residents will be able to transmit video footage directly to dispatchers, providing visual details that could prove critical during medical emergencies, crimes in progress, fires, and other dangerous situations.

Officials noted that the technology could also benefit callers who are unable to safely speak during an emergency. In certain situations, a person could share video or other information without verbally communicating with a dispatcher.

The system will also feature enhanced digital location-tracking capabilities, enabling dispatchers to more accurately determine a caller's location. County leaders say this could reduce response times when callers are unable to provide their exact whereabouts.

Another key feature of the upgrade is its ability to automatically reroute calls to other emergency communications centers if one center becomes overloaded or experiences technical difficulties. Officials say the added redundancy will help prevent delays and ensure calls are answered more quickly during periods of high demand.

The project is part of the broader transition to Next Generation 911 technology occurring across the United States. According to 911.gov, Next Generation 911 is an internet protocol-based emergency communications system that replaces aging analog infrastructure and supports the transmission of voice, text messages, photos, videos, and other digital data to emergency call centers.

Similar technology is already being utilized in neighboring Miami-Dade County.

Funding for the Broward County upgrade will come from Florida's Department of Management Services through revenues generated by the state's 911 fee. The contract covers implementation and support over the next 10 years.

Bogen said the investment reflects the county's commitment to improving public safety and equipping first responders with modern tools to better serve residents.

County officials expect the new system to be fully operational by the summer of 2028.