Columbus Enhances 911 Services with Multilingual Text Translation, Video Features

Columbus, Ohio has modernized its emergency response system by introducing AI-powered Text-2-911 translation and a Video to 911 feature, aiming to improve accessibility and inclusivity for its diverse population. The translation tool enables 911 texts to be automatically translated into 55 languages, helping non-English speakers, individuals with disabilities, and those unable to place voice calls due to safety or environmental constraints. The video-sharing capability allows callers to transmit live visuals of emergency scenes, providing dispatchers with enhanced situational awareness while addressing privacy concerns by terminating access after the call. Mayor Andrew J. Ginther emphasized that no resident should be deterred from calling 911 due to language or immigration status, reaffirming policies that prohibit using city resources to apprehend individuals solely based on immigration status. These advancements are especially significant for Columbus's multicultural community, including one of the nation's largest Somali populations. The upgrades are expected to streamline urgent communications, reduce response times, and better serve the safety needs of over one million residents.