KEARNEY — The technology that carried the first 911 calls to dispatchers barely could help victims to help themselves.
However, with advances in technology, tomorrow’s 911 calls will have all of the characteristics of how people communicate today.
That means dialing 911 will allow people at both ends of the call the ability to share richer, more detailed data — such as videos, images and texts.
In Kearney on Thursday, some of the Nebraskans playing a critical role in the implementation of NextGen 911 paused to celebrate their achievements and tell about their progress.
Buffalo County Sheriff Neil Miller said the first significant advances are happening in what’s called the South-Central/Panhandle Public Safety Answering Point Region.
“Those dispatchers are going to see livestreaming video from the scene,” said Miller, who chairs Nebraska’s 911 Service System Advisory Committee.
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The South Central/Panhandle region is the first to transition from the legacy 911 system of copper wire to the foundation of the NextGen 911 network.
The technology enhances dispatchers’ ability to receive 911 calls from mobile phones and devices, as well as receive text messages and faster, more accurate caller location information.
Once NextGen 911 is implemented, first responders, too, will reap the benefits of receiving more information in a more timely manner.
NextGen 911 already is being upgraded in many communities.
Miller said the plan is to have all of the state's 911 operations connected to NextGen 911 by the end of 2022.
Most dangerous cities in Nebraska
Dangerous Cities in Nebraska
See how your hometown ranks among the most dangerous cities in Nebraska. Ratings have been determined according to the number of violent crimes per 1,000 people in cities of at least 10,000, with violent crime being classified as murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault. The numbers are for 2019, the most recent year for which the FBI provides data.
6. South Sioux City
With 30 violent crimes in 2019 and a population of 12,771 (the smallest on our list), the city in northeast Nebraska had 2.35 violent crimes per 1,000 people.
Photo: An RV park in South Sioux City on the Missouri River.
5. Scottsbluff
The city of 15,862 had 53 violent crimes for a rate of 3.34 per 1,000 in 2019.
Photo: Gering Police Officer Jordan McBride talks with Scottsbluff Police Officer Michael Modeac as he puts up crime scene tape at the scene of an armed standoff in Scottsbluff in June 2021.
4. North Platte
With a population of 23,705 and 89 violent crimes, the city had a rate of 3.75 per 1,000.
Photo: Union Pacific train engines line up outside a service building in North Platte.
3. Lincoln
The Star City had a population of 291,128 with 1,115 violent crimes, a rate of 3.83 per 1,000.
Photo: Police in Lincoln investigate a shooting near the intersection of 14th and E streets in August 2019.
2. Grand Island
With a population of 51,821 and 236 violent crimes, the largest of the Tri Cities had a 2019 rate of 4.55 per 1,000 people.
Photo: Grand Island police and State Patrol personnel investigate after a body was found in a Grand Island yard in August 2020.
1. Omaha
In 2019, the state's largest city at 470,481 people had 2,833 violent crimes for a rate of 6.13 per 1,000.
Photo: Omaha police and University Police guard the entrance to the Nebraska Medicine Emergency room after an Omaha police officer was shot at Westroads Mall in March 2021.
A note about the numbers
With eight violent crimes in 2019, Boys Town topped the state at 13.82 per 1,000 people, which is a misleading stat because it only had a 2019 population of 579.
Photo: The statue at the entrance to Boys Town. It doesn't take much to skew the numbers.
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