(WASHINGTON, DC) – The District of Columbia’s Office of Unified Communications (OUC), in partnership with the North Carolina 911 Board, AT&T, and Johnston County Emergency Communications, successfully demonstrated cross-state routing of live 911 calls into Washington, D.C., marking a significant advancement in Next Generation 911 (NG911) resiliency and interoperability.
The first-of-its-kind proof of concept securely routed live 911 calls originating in Johnston County, North Carolina, through the state’s Emergency Services IP Network (ESInet) to OUC’s Tactical Homeland Operations Response (THOR) mobile communications command center in the nation’s capital. Johnston County telecommunicators answered the calls from inside THOR and relayed critical information back to North Carolina for dispatch.
The exercise validated policy-based call routing, seamless interoperability, and continuity of operations across state borders. These capabilities will strengthen emergency response during natural disasters, cyber incidents, and large-scale events.
“This collaboration demonstrates what’s possible when innovation, trust, and public safety come together with a shared purpose,” said OUC Director Heather McGaffin. “By securely routing live 911 calls across state lines and answering them from THOR in the heart of our nation’s capital, we proved that next‑generation technology can give emergency communications a level of resilience and flexibility we’ve never had before. It’s a powerful step toward ensuring that no matter the crisis, 911 will always be ready to respond.”
The District continues to lead in modernizing emergency communications infrastructure. In 2019, the District showcased its interoperability capabilities as OUC managed live 911 calls for Washington, D.C., from Baltimore, MD aboard THOR ensuring uninterrupted emergency communications and operational continuity. In preparation for the 60th Presidential Inauguration, OUC implemented 911 georouting capabilities, leveraging the District’s ESInet and device-based location technology to strategically route calls along the National Mall while preserving primary facilities for steady-state operations.
North Carolina’s ESInet has similarly demonstrated real-world reliability. During Hurricane Helene, emergency calls from impacted communities were successfully delivered to partner Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) across the state, ensuring uninterrupted service for residents in need. Extending these capabilities beyond state lines positions North Carolina as a national model for NG911 innovation and collaboration.
“This proof of concept not only confirms the advancements Next Generation 911 has brought to North Carolina but also validates the system's reliability and potential for nationwide interoperability”, said Pokey Harris, Executive Director of the N.C. 911 Board. “We have created a contingency-planning approach for PSAPs in North Carolina. Other states can adopt these capabilities, but federal funding is essential to implementing Next Generation 911 nationwide. We appreciate the efforts of the Washington D.C. Office of Unified Communications, Johnston County Emergency Communications, and our vendor partners in turning this proof of concept into reality.”
The demonstration also validated alternative data delivery pathways, including integration with internal computer-aided dispatch systems, Collaborator by RapidSOS, and enhanced push-to-talk radios operating across AT&T FirstNet, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless networks. These redundant systems strengthen contingency planning and help ensure operational continuity when traditional communication channels are disrupted.
“This exercise highlights how innovation and technology can save lives, demonstrating that geography is no longer a barrier,” said Teena Piccione, North Carolina 911 Board Chair and Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Information Technology. “North Carolina’s ESInet enables us to transmit calls, data, and expertise to where they are needed most, ensuring community protection even in tough situations. Public safety relies on preparedness, partnerships, and advanced technology, and this success shows what can be achieved when states, local agencies, and industry work together with a common goal.”
For more information about the N.C. 911 Board and its initiatives, visit Next Generation 911 | NCDIT. For more information on the OUC and THOR, visit ouc.dc.gov.