The Huntsville City Council has approved a resolution authorizing the city to enter into an agreement with HigherGround Inc. to implement Live911 technology to improve emergency response times and provide the Huntsville Police Department with faster access to critical information during 911 calls.

HigherGround develops software designed to capture, store, and retrieve telecommunications and radio communications in real time. The system will allow public safety personnel to quickly access recordings of emergency calls and, in some cases, allow officers to listen to 911 calls as they happen instead of waiting for information to be relayed through dispatch.

Under the plan, Live911 will enable the North Alabama Multi-Agency Crime Center (NAMACC) to securely monitor critical 911 calls in real time. Calls will be replicated through a secure server on the 911 center’s network and transmitted through a protected web portal.

Officials say the technology will allow NAMACC personnel to begin monitoring calls immediately and, when appropriate, deploy resources such as cameras or drones to a scene within approximately 30 seconds to two minutes.

The system is already used by law enforcement agencies across the country. According to local reports, the Dothan Police Department is currently the only agency in Alabama using the technology, making Huntsville the second agency in the state to adopt it.

The city plans to install the software and complete training within 30 to 60 days, with the system expected to become operational shortly afterward.

City leaders said the investment reflects the Huntsville Police Department’s continued efforts to leverage technology to strengthen public safety, support first responders, and improve service to residents.

The agreement approved by the council will cost the city a little more than $7,300.

Sherri Blevins is a reporter for 256 Today.