In July 2025, DeWine announced that 10 counties were part of the pilot project, which included Athens, Carroll, Champaign, Columbiana, Harrison, Monroe, Morgan, Union, Van Wert, and Washington.
In addition to the 10 counties in the pilot project, Allen County was part of implementing the NG911 technology and began the onboarding process. The full implementation took place Jan. 29, and Allen County EMA Director Jared Gesler spoke about the process.
“Next Gen 911 uses GPS and GIS and is a digital system with a focus on the improved cell phone technology that we all enjoy. The goal is the same, to connect anyone in need of emergency services with a communications officer who can get help started their way,” Gesler said.
He added that the difference is the accuracy and safeguards that it improves on. With new technology, we meet the new technology standards in cybersecurity and data transfer. Location data will be much more precise.
Before the upgrade, all cell phone 911 calls were routed to the Allen County Sheriff’s Office public safety answering point, which used an analog location system that relied on a table of address points.
The new upgrade has all 911 calls routed directly to the Lima Police Department, allowing them to dispatch emergency services more rapidly. While it was being implemented, the sheriff’s office tested the system extensively, and to make the NG911 live, they tested the old system and recorded how everything was working, then performed the same tests after we switched over to NG911.
“This was a pretty tedious process and involved all service providers, members of the Ohio 911 office, and numerous partners making test calls,” Gesler said. “When a call came in, we looked at all the data being processed behind the scenes and ensured it was in the correct format and going to the right location. This was time-consuming but essential to deliver a service that the county deserves and expects.”
©2026 The Lima News, Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
