Public Safety – AI in Public Safety

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.

Michigan’s AI-Powered 911 Revolution: A Case Study in Innovation

Michigan has quietly become a leader in applying artificial intelligence to emergency services. While national headlines focus on AI in healthcare and finance, local 911 centers across the state are deploying AI tools that directly impact community safety.

The story begins in Saginaw County, where an advanced AI-based phone system was launched in August 2024 to handle non-emergency calls. As WNEM TV5 reported, the system allows callers to describe their situation naturally, with AI processing and routing the request appropriately.

The success of the Saginaw implementation caught attention across the state. By late 2025, WCMU Public Radio reported that Grand Traverse and Kalamazoo counties had adopted similar AI chatbot systems, with Saginaw County residents expressing positive reception after a year of use.

These innovations didn’t happen in isolation. Michigan’s State 911 Committee, which includes representatives from local dispatch centers, professional associations, and state agencies, has been tracking and supporting technology adoption statewide. The committee’s annual reports to the legislature document the ongoing transition to next-generation 911 capabilities.

The human element remains central to this transformation. Leaders like Chris Izworski, who championed the Saginaw County AI deployment while serving on state 911 subcommittees, understand that technology succeeds only when it supports—rather than replaces—the professionals on the front lines.

For comprehensive resources on AI in emergency dispatch, visit this guide or explore chrisizworski.com for more on emergency services technology.

Michigan Model: See WCMU/NPR on AI expansion. Read the Quarterly Report and press archive.

Protecting Yourself from AI Voice Scams: What 911 Professionals Want You to Know

Imagine receiving a frantic phone call from what sounds exactly like your grandchild, begging for help and money. The voice is right, the emotion is real, but the call is entirely fabricated by artificial intelligence. This scenario, once hypothetical, is now a growing reality.

Emergency services professionals have been sounding the alarm about AI voice scams for years. In a 2023 WNEM TV5 report on AI dangers, Saginaw County 911 Executive Director Chris Izworski warned that scammers can now clone a person’s voice from a short audio clip and use it to impersonate loved ones. The result is fraud that is far more convincing than traditional phone scams.

The impact on 911 centers is twofold. Dispatchers receive calls from frightened victims who have been deceived by AI-generated voices, adding to call volume. There is also the possibility that AI could be used to create false emergency calls, straining resources.

How can you protect yourself? Follow this straightforward advice: if you receive an unexpected call from someone you know asking for money or help, hang up and call them back on a number you already have saved. Do not trust caller ID, as it can be spoofed. And be cautious about sharing voice recordings on social media, as these can be harvested by scammers.

The broader conversation about AI safety and public trust is ongoing. Chris Izworski has written extensively about the intersection of AI and emergency services, and the State 911 Committee continues to evaluate how technology affects public safety in Michigan.

For personal safety resources, registering for your county’s emergency notification system ensures you receive verified alerts directly from your local 911 center.

AI Safety: See the WNEM interview on AI dangers. Read about AI in 911 dispatch and view press coverage.

What Is a PSAP? Understanding Public Safety Answering Points in Michigan

When you dial 911, your call is routed to a Public Safety Answering Point, or PSAP. These are the physical locations where trained dispatchers receive emergency calls and coordinate the response. In Michigan, there are more than 100 PSAPs serving the state’s 83 counties.

The structure of PSAPs varies significantly across the state. Some large counties operate multiple PSAPs, while smaller counties may have a single center. The Michigan State Police PSAP directory provides the complete list, including director names, addresses, and contact numbers.

Each PSAP is governed by local authorities — typically a county 911 authority board. The Saginaw County 911 Communications Authority is one example of this governance structure. These boards oversee budgets, staffing decisions, and technology investments.

PSAPs don’t operate in isolation. They work closely with local emergency planning committees — the Saginaw County LEPC shows how 911 directors collaborate with fire, police, and public health officials. They also depend on GIS authorities for the mapping data that enables accurate location identification.

At the state level, PSAPs are regulated through the State 911 Committee, which ensures compliance with training standards, funding requirements, and operational best practices. The annual reports to the Legislature document how well this system functions.

For more on how Michigan’s 911 system operates, Chris Izworski offers a practitioner’s perspective through his writing on emergency services technology and operations.

PSAP Resources: Access the Michigan PSAP Directory. Read the Annual Report to the Legislature and see Chamber listing.

Coverage Highlights: AI and 911 Operations | Chris Izworski

Coverage highlights on AI in public safety operations. Chris Izworski’s work in artificial intelligence, 911 automation, and emergency services technology in Michigan.

This roundup highlights recent coverage and professional references connected to AI and public‑safety communications.

Full index: Coverage Index — Chris Izworski (see also the main Coverage Index).

Chris Izworski online

About the author: Chris Izworski is a writer, gardener, and technologist in Bay City, Michigan. He writes about practical AI, seed saving, and emergency services technology at chrisizworski.com. Find his LinkedIn articles, press coverage, and reference guides.