FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OPCD, in Coordination with City of New Orleans and Carbyne,
Announces Launch of c-Live Universe Video and Text Chat to 9-1-1
NEW ORLEANS, LA – The Orleans Parish Communication District (OPCD), in coordination with the City of New Orleans and Carbyne, held a press conference to announce the upcoming launch of Carbyne’s c-Live Universe technology allowing residents and visitors to communicate with 9-1-1 call takers and first responders through video and text chat technology.
Watch video of the press conference in English here.
Watch video of the press conference in Spanish here.
As a continuation of the infrastructure upgrades to the City of New Orleans emergency communications system, OPCD, in collaboration with the City of New Orleans, will be adopting video and text chat features provided by Carbyne’s c-lite Universe software. c-Live Universe will provide unprecedented connections between 9-1-1 callers and call takers through live video chat, instant messaging, data sharing capabilities and location detection technology. All of which will dramatically reduce dispatch time, increase response efficiency and ultimately saves lives.
“We have been nonstop about improving the infrastructure in the City of New Orleans, and we are celebrating that this morning with Carbyne” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “As we move through the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that we find ways to improve emergency response for the residents we serve. This is also improvement as it relates to the visitor’s population in the City because it’s not about if we are going to rebound and regain our visitors, because we are, and when we do, we will have the improved technology to meet our people where they are.”
OPCD is proud to continue our partnership with Carbyne to bring quicker and more efficient emergency communications technology to the people of New Orleans, stated OPCD Executive Director, Tyrell Morris. “Not only will residents and citizens be able to show first responders what is occurring on-scene during an emergency with the video technology, people who are hearing- and speech-impaired, or those who are in a situation where speaking may be dangerous, can connect with our 9-1-1 emergency communications specialists directly through the text chat function. Best of all, no apps need to be downloaded to use this technology, so anyone with a cell phone can take advantage of these functions. I would like to thank Mayor Cantrell and the City of New Orleans, as well, for constantly being an ally and supporter of OPCD and our mission of getting the right people to the right place at the right time better than anybody else in the world.”
Carbyne is the world’s largest provider of video to 9-1-1 as well as instant chat. Creating an independent live communications channel, it brings unprecedented situational awareness and drop call protection. Enabling text activated calls, phone conversations can now be initiated when ringing is not a safe option. This “fall back” audio capability is the perfect solution when traditional call handling is not an option. Ultimately, c-Live Universe triples the possible communications channels between callers and PSAPs.
“It is a great honor for Carbyne to partner with one of the nation’s leading emergency communications centers,” stated Carbyne CEO, Amir Elichai. We firmly believe that innovation attracts to innovation. Director Tyrell Morris has been on the forefront in his efforts to progress, not only his operations, but the industry as well. The continued efforts by Mayor Cantrell to provide the most advanced public safety services for her community has led Carbyne and OPCD to launch our NG911 platform, which will provide to residents and tourists of New Orleans advanced caller location capabilities, live video to 911, as well as instant messaging and advanced operational tools. We look forward to many years of partnership with the people of New Orleans, Director Morris, and the team at OPCD.”
About the Orleans Parish Communication District (www.OPCDLA.gov)
Formed in 1982, the Orleans Parish Communication District is the PSAP for all emergency communications via 9-1-1, and non-emergency communications via 3-1-1, within Orleans Parish. The agency employs over 180 individuals and provides emergency medical dispatch, emergency fire dispatch, and emergency police dispatch for the millions of annual visitors and residents of the City of New Orleans. OPCD is a member of the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials (APCO) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). The Mission of OPCD is to get the Right People to the Right Place at the Right Time, Better than Anybody Else in the World.
OPCD Contact:
Marcus W. Creel, MS
OPCD Public Engagement Manager
601.319.2024
[email protected]
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