The Huntsville City Council greenlit a partnership with HigherGround Inc. to implement Live911 technology, enabling officers to hear emergency calls in real-time
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Huntsville City Council approved a new partnership with HigherGround Inc. to implement Live911, a technology designed to fundamentally change how the Huntsville Police Department responds to emergencies.
The resolution allows the city to integrate software to capture and stream 911 audio in real time. Currently, there is often a time lapse between when a call is answered and when an officer is officially dispatched via radio—a process that can take up to two minutes. Live911 is designed to close that gap by allowing first responders to hear emergency calls at the same time as the 911 call taker.
Through this system, the North Alabama Multi-Agency Crime Center (NAMACC) will securely monitor critical calls in real time. By hearing the raw audio, the NAMACC team can immediately identify the location on a map and, in some cases, direct resources such as drones or cameras to the scene within 30 seconds to two minutes.
Beyond speed, the technology provides officers with “situational awareness” before they arrive. By listening to the live interaction, responders can hear background noise, emotional tones, and firsthand descriptions that may not be fully captured in a typed dispatch. This real-time data is intended to help officers develop response plans and de-escalate situations more effectively.
HigherGround’s software also serves as a secure storage and retrieval system for these communications, ensuring all radio and telecommunications are captured through a protected web portal on the 911 center’s network.
City officials expect software installation and departmental training to be completed within the next 30 to 60 days. The system is projected to be fully operational shortly after training concludes.
This investment is the latest in a series of tech-focused initiatives by HPD aimed at modernizing public safety and providing faster, more informed service to the Huntsville community.
