Allegheny County's new 911 center to offer more space, state-of-the-art technology

Channel 11 got a firsthand tour of the future for emergency response on Tuesday.

The new home for Allegheny County’s 911 call center is in what was once the call center for US Airways.

A video illustrates what the new call center will look like once renovations are finished at the site in Moon, right next to Pittsburgh International Airport.

In the past, emergency dispatchers at the Lexington Technical Park location have dealt with a number of issues, including bed bugs and a lack of space.

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Now they’re moving into a newly remodeled space that is 20,000 square feet larger, hopefully by 2019.

That is three times larger than the current call center. The expansion is necessary because there is a possibility of more municipalities being added to their responsibilities, and the staff already handles 1.5 million calls for service annually.

“At any given time, some of those municipalities could ask to come on board,” said Matt Brown, director of county emergency services. “We do not physically have the space or the technology to expand at our current location and ... provide that service."

Officials say they will be adding $5 million in renovation and construction work paid by county, airport and grant money.

“I think, hands down, this will be the most state-of-the-art facility, not only in the commonwealth, but arguably one of the best and most state-of-the-art in the country,” Brown said.

Renovations begin next year.

Cox Media Group