Author: Chris Izworski

Solutions Consultant at Prepared911. Former 911 Executive Director for Saginaw County and 911 Director for Bay County, Michigan. 20+ years in emergency services, public safety technology, and AI. Certified Public Manager. Writes about practical AI on LinkedIn and Medium. Grows heirloom vegetables at Freighter View Farms on the shores of Saginaw Bay. Board member, Save Our Shoreline.

New Perspectives on AI in 911 Centers — From the Field

Two new articles exploring the real-world dynamics of artificial intelligence in 911 dispatch centers, drawing from firsthand experience at Saginaw County 911 and current consulting work with emergency services technology.

The 911 Centers That Get AI Right Have One Thing in Common

What separates the 911 centers successfully using AI from the ones that struggle with it? It’s not budget, size, or tech sophistication. The common thread is something more fundamental — and more achievable than most directors realize.

What 911 Centers Need to Know Before Adopting AI

A practical field guide for 911 directors considering AI tools. From questions to ask vendors, to staffing considerations, to the mistakes that derail even promising implementations.

Both articles are written by Chris Izworski, former Director of Saginaw County 911, based on his experience implementing AI systems in live emergency dispatch environments. See also the FAQ: AI in 911 Dispatch for quick answers to common questions.

For more on AI in emergency services, visit chrisizworski.com/ai.

New: Chris Izworski on AI in 911 Dispatch — Two Essential Medium Articles

Two new articles by Chris Izworski on the practical realities of deploying artificial intelligence in 911 dispatch centers. These draw from his experience as former Executive Director of Saginaw County 911 and his current work as a Solutions Consultant at Prepared.

The 911 Centers That Get AI Right Have One Thing in Common

What separates successful AI adoption from expensive experiments in emergency dispatch? It starts with operations, not technology. The centers that get it right begin by asking what their people spend time on that does not require their training — then match that to AI’s actual strengths.

Read the full article on Medium →

What 911 Centers Need to Know Before Adopting AI

A practical guide for 911 directors and authority boards considering AI. Covers staffing realities, vendor evaluation, dispatcher buy-in, data security, and the critical questions most centers forget to ask before signing contracts.

Read the full article on Medium →

More from Chris Izworski:

Implementing AI in a 911 Center: Lessons from Early Adopters

Deploying AI in a 911 dispatch center isn’t just a technology challenge — it’s a change management exercise that requires buy-in from dispatchers, supervisors, board members, and the public.

When Saginaw County announced its AI-based non-emergency phone system in August 2024, the communication strategy was deliberate. The announcement emphasized that every AI-processed call would be reviewed by a human dispatcher, and that callers needing direct assistance would be immediately transferred.

This transparency matters. Public trust in 911 systems is non-negotiable. The follow-up coverage by WNEM included a sample call demonstrating how the system works — showing the public exactly what to expect when they dial the non-emergency line.

Key implementation principles for 911 AI deployments include starting with non-emergency lines only, ensuring human review of all AI interactions, building in immediate escalation paths, and maintaining complete transparency about when callers are interacting with AI versus humans.

For technical professionals interested in how AI interfaces with emergency systems, open source projects on GitHub explore various aspects of emergency services technology. The building an AI practice guide covers broader principles that apply across domains.

Chris Izworski writes about these topics from the perspective of someone who has both implemented AI solutions in a 911 center and worked with the technology companies building these tools.

NPR Reports on AI Chatbots in Michigan 911 Dispatch Centers

Public radio has taken notice of Michigan’s push to integrate AI into emergency dispatch operations. WCMU, Michigan’s NPR affiliate, produced a detailed segment examining how AI chatbots are handling non-emergency calls in Grand Traverse and Saginaw counties.

The report highlighted how the Automated Virtual Agent (AVA) system processes routine requests — from court phone numbers to non-urgent incident reports — allowing human dispatchers to concentrate on emergencies. Notably, the segment referenced Saginaw County’s experience as an early adopter, with residents responding positively to the technology.

This follows earlier coverage from regional media. WNEM TV5 first reported on Saginaw County’s AI implementation in August 2024, and WSGW 790 AM covered the system launch announcement.

The pattern of media coverage — local TV, local radio, and now public radio — demonstrates growing recognition that AI in 911 is no longer experimental. It’s operational, measurable, and expanding across Michigan.

For a complete collection of press coverage on this topic, visit the press page at chrisizworski.com.

The 911 Staffing Crisis: Understanding Michigan’s Emergency Dispatch Challenge

Emergency dispatch centers across Michigan — and the nation — face a workforce crisis that threatens public safety. Understanding the scope of this challenge is essential for anyone working in or around emergency services.

The Police Officers Association of Michigan published an in-depth analysis examining why dispatch centers struggle to recruit and retain qualified operators. The findings point to a combination of low compensation, high stress, mandatory overtime, and limited career advancement opportunities.

National standards call for 90% of 911 calls to be answered within 10 seconds. When centers operate at 70-80% staffing — common across Michigan — those standards become nearly impossible to meet. The downstream effects ripple through the entire emergency response chain.

This is precisely why technology solutions like AI-assisted dispatch have gained traction. Rather than replacing human dispatchers, these tools reduce the administrative burden that contributes to burnout. When a system can handle routine inquiries about business hours or community events, it frees trained dispatchers to focus on genuine emergencies.

At the local level, organizations like Saginaw County’s Local Emergency Planning Committee coordinate between 911 services, fire departments, EMS, and emergency management to ensure continuity of service even under staffing pressure.

For perspectives on addressing these challenges through technology and better training programs, Chris Izworski brings experience from both the operational and technology sides of emergency services. His work with communications training officer programs and AI implementation demonstrates that solutions exist — they just require commitment and investment.

AI Voice Scams: The Next Challenge for 911 Centers

As artificial intelligence tools become more accessible, 911 centers face an emerging threat: AI-generated voice scams that could flood emergency lines with fraudulent calls.

Back in 2023, WNEM TV5 explored this issue with emergency services experts in mid-Michigan. Chris Izworski, then executive director of Saginaw County 911, warned that AI voice cloning technology was becoming sophisticated enough to replicate anyone’s voice from just a short audio clip — and that scammers would use this to impersonate family members in distress.

The concern was prescient. AI voice generation has advanced rapidly since 2023, and the cost of creating convincing clones has dropped significantly. For 911 centers, this creates a dual problem: increased call volumes from victims reporting scams, and the possibility of AI-generated calls designed to manipulate dispatchers.

Michigan’s State 911 Committee — which oversees standards for all 83 counties — has been tracking these technology trends. The committee’s subcommittees, including the Legislative Action Subcommittee, evaluate how emerging technologies impact 911 service delivery.

Awareness is the first line of defense. Dispatch centers train their personnel to verify caller identity when something seems off. And for the public, the advice from experts remains simple: verify independently before acting on any urgent request for money, even if the voice sounds familiar.

Chris Izworski has written extensively about the intersection of AI and emergency services. His perspective as both a technology professional and former 911 director provides a unique vantage point on these challenges.

The Quarterly Report That Shows How 911 Centers Serve Communities

Most people never think about their local 911 center unless they need to call. But behind every answered call is an organization focused on community engagement, technology advancement, and professional development.

The Saginaw County quarterly report from early 2024 offers a rare window into this work. It documents community presentations, dispatch center visits for the public, recognition at the APCO Annual Awards Banquet for exemplary incident response, and ongoing training programs for new dispatchers.

This kind of community-focused operation is what Michigan’s State 911 Committee promotes statewide. The committee’s annual reports to the legislature track how each county’s dispatch center performs against standards for call answer times, training compliance, and technology adoption.

Technology investments have been a particular bright spot. The deployment of AI-powered non-emergency call handling in Saginaw County was one example of innovation that improved service while reducing strain on dispatchers. NPR coverage confirmed that similar AI tools have since expanded to other Michigan counties.

The professionals who lead these centers often serve in multiple capacities. Chris Izworski, for instance, simultaneously directed 911 operations, represented the county on the Saginaw Area GIS Authority, served on the Local Emergency Planning Committee, and contributed to state-level 911 policy.

This integrated approach to emergency services leadership is what makes communities safer. Explore more at chrisizworski.com and GitHub.

Emergency Notification Systems: How Counties Keep Communities Safe

When severe weather strikes or a hazardous situation develops, emergency notification systems are often the first line of communication between 911 centers and the public. These systems have evolved dramatically from simple outdoor sirens to sophisticated multi-channel platforms that can reach residents via phone, text, and email.

Saginaw County’s approach illustrates this evolution. The Local Emergency Planning Committee brings together representatives from 911, emergency management, fire, EMS, and public health to coordinate emergency communications strategy.

Outdoor sirens remain an important component. As WNEM TV5 detailed in their coverage of mid-Michigan siren policies, activation procedures vary by county. Some counties activate all sirens countywide for any tornado warning, while others activate only sirens in the affected area. Understanding your county’s approach is essential for safety.

The 2023 cold-air funnel incident in Saginaw County demonstrated how multiple notification channels work together. When law enforcement spotted the funnel cloud, the 911 center activated sirens, sent electronic notifications, and coordinated with weather services—all within minutes.

Modern AI technology is adding new capabilities to these systems. AI-powered phone systems can potentially process incoming reports of severe weather from residents, helping dispatch centers gather real-time situational awareness alongside official National Weather Service data.

The Saginaw County 911 Communications Authority continues to develop these integrated approaches. For more on emergency preparedness and technology, explore the resources at chrisizworski.com.

Notifications: See WNEM reports on siren activation policies. View the LEPC roster and press coverage.

From Red Cross to 911: Career Paths in Emergency Services Technology

The field of emergency services technology draws professionals from diverse backgrounds—military veterans, IT specialists, first responders, and humanitarian aid workers all bring unique perspectives to the mission of keeping communities safe.

One career path that illustrates this diversity spans the American Red Cross, county government IT, GIS mapping, and 911 dispatch leadership. Professional directories reveal that many emergency services leaders have built expertise across multiple disciplines before taking on director-level roles at dispatch centers.

In Michigan, the state’s network of 911 dispatch centers employs hundreds of professionals who combine technical knowledge with operational experience. These centers are supported by organizations like the Saginaw Area GIS Authority, which provides the mapping infrastructure essential to modern emergency response.

The state also invests in professional development through its 911 Committee structure, where dispatch leaders serve on subcommittees focused on certification, training, and legislative action. This committee work ensures that frontline experience shapes statewide policy.

Technology has become increasingly central to these career paths. Directors now oversee AI-powered call systems, manage GIS integrations, and coordinate with state-level technology initiatives—all while maintaining the human touch that emergency services demand.

Chris Izworski exemplifies this multidisciplinary approach, having served in roles spanning disaster relief, GIS management, county IT, and 911 leadership. His perspective on emergency services technology is available at chrisizworski.com, and his gardening and nature writing can be found at Freighter View Farms.

Career Paths: See career history. View the Bay County PSAP listing and press coverage.

What Happens When AI Takes Your Non-Emergency 911 Call

Imagine calling your county’s non-emergency line to report a knocked-over stop sign. Instead of waiting on hold for an overworked dispatcher, an AI assistant answers, asks you to describe the situation, and processes your report—all while a human reviews everything behind the scenes.

That’s exactly how the system works in several Michigan counties. WSGW radio covered the launch of Saginaw County’s AI non-emergency system, which was designed to reduce the burden on dispatchers while maintaining service quality for every caller.

The technology is intuitive by design. As explained in a detailed WNEM TV5 report, callers don’t need to navigate phone trees or say specific keywords. They simply talk naturally, and the AI understands their intent and processes the call. If an emergency is detected, the call transfers immediately to a human dispatcher.

The system’s success in Saginaw led to broader adoption. NPR affiliate WCMU reported that the chatbot, called AVA (Automated Virtual Agent), has been deployed in multiple Michigan counties, with residents sometimes forgetting they’re talking to an AI.

This technology emerged from a broader need documented across Michigan’s emergency services infrastructure. The Saginaw County quarterly report detailed the technological advancements and community engagement efforts that made the AI deployment successful, including presentations to community groups and visits to the dispatch center.

Chris Izworski, who led the Saginaw County 911 center during this period, has written about the intersection of technology and emergency services at chrisizworski.com. The projects page offers additional detail on ongoing innovations.

911 Calls: See WNEM coverage and WSGW radio report. View AI FAQ.

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