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James E. Groves, Office of Emergency Services Director at Durham County GovernmentTechnology continues to reshape the landscape of emergency services, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool to enhance planning and training activities, improve response times, and optimize facility locations for emergency service providers. Public safety leaders must explore the benefits of AI use in emergency services, while also considering the inherent risks (and required mitigation) associated with the integration of AI into their planning, training, and operational efforts.
Effective planning is the cornerstone of emergency services. AI can help inform the planning phase to ensure the appropriate local and mutual aid resources are utilized optimally during times of crises. AI can also play an important role in enhancing the planning process by offering data-driven insights and decision-making support tools. For example, AI can analyze vast amounts of historical data to help identify trends and patterns for planning considerations. In addition, incorporating the use of AI-driven simulations and modeling can help emergency services create more comprehensive plans for the primary hazards that could be experienced by the agency or jurisdiction.
Keep in mind that the risk of overreliance on AI predictions could lead to complacency among emergency service agencies and it cannot take the place of other critical aspects of preparedness outreach, such as community engagement and public education.
The strategic placement of emergency service facilities is vital for ensuring appropriate response times across the jurisdiction. Currently there are tools and models that help accomplish that task, however AI has not been embraced and used to its full capability in the realm of facility planning. AI algorithms can assess historical incident data, population density, traffic patterns, and geographical features to determine the ideal facility location(s), and while many of the tools and models currently in use focus on an individual department or agency, AI can take a broader look at co-locating multiple agencies in a single location across the jurisdiction and in doing so, save significant capital investment funds.
AI has the potential to revolutionize training in emergency services by providing realistic Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality simulations, personalized training programs, and continuous learning opportunities all tailored to the specifics of the agency and jurisdiction. The airlines, NASA, and the military have been successful in implementing AI-powered simulations that recreate a wide range of operational scenarios, allowing trainees to practice their skills in a safe and controlled environment. In the public safety world, the use of AI is not there yet. Future consideration and funding should be focused on AI to create simulations that replicate complex situations such as natural or technological disasters, large-scale accidents, and threat scenarios that can provide valuable learning experience for the responder without the real-world risks.
“Incorporating the use of AI-driven simulations and modeling can help emergency services create more comprehensive plans for the primary hazards that could be experienced by the agency or jurisdiction.”
Personalized training programs can also be tailored to individual needs and performance, allowing trainees to focus on areas where improvement is most needed. AI can track progress, identify weaknesses, and adapt training regimens accordingly to ensure that the emergency responder or Emergency Operations Center (EOC) representative receives the most effective training possible.
One of the most important considerations for emergency services is the speed at which we can respond to a crisis incident. Implementing and integrating AI into our daily operations can be a game-changer by using incident data in real time (think image and video analysis) to help inform quicker and more efficient responses. In addition, there will be a point where this same data can be used to inform more effective recovery considerations and more resilient mitigation efforts.
For example, AI-driven predictive analytics can anticipate emergencies based on historical incident response data, weather conditions, traffic patterns, census data, and other relevant factors. The same predictive analytics can apply to fleet operations where AI identifies the issue sooner that the fleet manager does. While this proactive approach has the real potential to significantly reduce response times and inform a more effective response force, it could also introduce the risk of false positives. After all, according to the statistician George Box, “All models are wrong, but some are useful”.
There needs to be a ground truth check and balance when implementing AI, and emergency service leaders should exercise caution if they rely solely on AI predictions that could lead to unnecessary mobilization of resources and subsequent cost increases.
Furthermore, AI's ability to use Natural Language Processing to analyze and interpret incoming emergency calls at 9-1-1 centers accurately and swiftly could be the savior many jurisdictions are looking for. Given the significant staffing shortages across the country, the use of AI chatbots or virtual assistants that are multi-lingual could help fill the gap at the console and support remote 9-1-1 call taking operations. Still, there could be a risk of misinterpretation or bias in the initial AI algorithms, which could result in incorrect prioritization of responses. For instance, if an algorithm is inadvertently biased one way or another, it may prioritize calls from one group or location over another, leading to inequities in emergency response.
As technology continues to advance and as it becomes more affordable, AI is showing that it can be a promising tool for developing a comprehensive emergency preparedness program.
Jurisdictions should develop a clear and comprehensive AI strategy for responsible implementation, risk management, and effective use. By leveraging AI's capabilities with an implementable vision, a future state can be realized where emergency services are routinely more effective, responsive, and resilient.
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