TAMPA, FL — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is enhancing its 911 Dispatch Center operations with the implementation of Prepared, an AI-enhanced platform designed to improve how emergency calls are received, managed, and supported. Officials said the system is intended to strengthen dispatcher awareness and response coordination without replacing existing 911 operations.
According to HCSO, the Prepared platform allows callers to securely share live video and photos directly with dispatchers during emergencies. The media can be viewed in real time, documented, and shared with responding deputies to provide additional situational awareness before arriving on scene. Officials said any media collected as evidence will continue to follow established public records procedures.
Sheriff Chad Chronister said the technology helps strengthen communication between the community and deputies responding to emergencies by providing real-time visibility during critical incidents. HCSO also noted that emergency calls are instantly transcribed and supported by AI-generated summaries, helping dispatchers quickly identify important details while improving training and review efforts.
The system also includes automatic language detection and AI-assisted Spanish translation to improve accessibility for callers. In addition, dispatchers can use one-to-one text messaging with callers through pre-approved messages, including links to reporting tools, disaster resources, and requests for photos tied to active investigations.
HCSO said the implementation of Prepared reflects the agency’s continued focus on using responsible technology to improve emergency communications and support faster, more informed responses during emergencies.
SOURCE: HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
