Client Overview Alabama has long been recognized as a pioneering state in 9-1-1 innovation — a legacy that began in Haleyville, Alabama, where the first-ever 9-1-1 call in the United States was placed on February 16, 1968. The Alabama 9-1-1 Board continues this legacy by overseeing emergency communications across the state, supporting 85 Emergency Communication Districts (ECDs) and more than 100 PSAPs across 67 counties. Alabama continues to lead the way with the Alabama Next Generation Emergency Network (ANGEN): a secure, IP-based network designed to support NG9-1-1 call delivery, location data exchange, and interoperability between Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). ANGEN enables faster, more accurate emergency response by routing calls based on precise geographic data rather than legacy systems tied to static boundaries. To function effectively, ANGEN relies on NG9-1-1 compliant GIS data, including standardized road centerlines, address points, and emergency service boundaries. These datasets ensure that emergency calls are routed to the correct PSAP based on the caller’s location, even in complex or rural environments. Without high-quality GIS data, the benefits of ANGEN’s advanced routing capabilities cannot be fully realized. Challenge In early 2020, the Alabama 9-1-1 Board embarked on one of the most ambitious public safety data initiatives in the country: preparing a statewide, NG9-1-1-compliant geospatial dataset to support the ANGEN network. This was no ordinary undertaking; it meant unifying GIS and PSAP leaders and elevating geospatial data across all 85 ECDs, each with its own level of GIS maturity, resources, and workflows. The Board recognized that solving these challenges would not only improve emergency response but also set a new standard for statewide collaboration and innovation. By partnering with DATAMARK Technologies, they positioned themselves as the driving force behind a transformative effort; one that required technical precision, strategic coordination, and a shared commitment to public safety excellence. The Plan To support Alabama’s bold vision for NG9-1-1 transformation, DATAMARK Technologies deployed a multi-phase strategy designed to match the scale and complexity of the statewide initiative. This wasn’t just about fixing data; it was about empowering 86 diverse ECDs to become active contributors to a unified, future-ready geospatial framework. Stakeholder Engagement & Training Recognizing the importance of local expertise, DATAMARK Technologies conducted regional training sessions and workflow management courses to build capacity across the state. These efforts ensured that each ECD, regardless of GIS maturity, was equipped to contribute meaningfully to the project. GIS Data Cleanup Services and Address Comparison Evaluation (ACE) DATAMARK Technologies worked hand-in-hand with local teams to remediate and standardize address points, road centerlines, and jurisdictional boundaries. Technology Adoption Each ECD received DATAMARK Technologies VEP Editor Subscriptions and VEP Verify, enabling real-time field validation and seamless data updates. This democratized data stewardship, allowing local teams to maintain GIS in alignment with NG9-1-1 standards. Through VEP, the ECDs were able to run over 250 NG9-1-1 validations on an unlimited basis, ensuring the highest levels of GIS data accuracy and completeness. Statewide GIS Data Aggregation Using DATAMARK Technologies VEP Aggregator, each ECD submitted GIS data to the state for validation, resolving gaps and overlaps along jurisdictional boundaries and producing a seamless, unified statewide dataset. Ongoing Support & Innovation Through GIS managed services, and continuous innovation led by Alabama’s VEP users, the partnership has remained agile and responsive to Alabama’s evolving needs. Results: The Alabama 9-1-1 Board’s bold vision and relentless coordination across 86 ECDs yielded extraordinary results, setting a new benchmark for statewide NG9-1-1 readiness. 100% ECD Participation Achieved in Just 18 Months: Through strategic leadership and inclusive collaboration, every ECD in the state contributed to GIS data collection and maintenance. This unprecedented level of engagement reflects a shared commitment to public safety and technological advancement. 600,000+ Address Points Identified: The successful remediation and enhancement of Alabama’s geospatial data filled critical gaps in emergency response coverage, dramatically improving location accuracy and dispatch efficiency across the state. Statewide Geospatial Call Routing Implemented: In September 2023, Alabama launched statewide geospatial call routing for wireless calls, an achievement made possible by the unified dataset. This milestone positioned the state as a national leader in NG9-1-1 innovation. Efforts continue to prepare the GIS address point and road centerlines for geospatial call routing of wireline calls with planned deployment in 2026. 60% Reduction in 9-1-1 Call Transfers: By routing calls based on precise geospatial data, Alabama significantly reduced call transfers, accelerating response times and enhancing outcomes for those in need. A Model for Sustained Innovation: The partnership between the Alabama 9-1-1 Board and DATAMARK Technologies continues to flourish, with Alabama’s forward-thinking feedback driving key enhancements to the VEP platform. Together, they remain committed to redefining what’s possible in public safety GIS—setting a standard for collaboration, adaptability, and continuous improvement. For more information on Alabama’s partnership with DATAMARK Technologies, check out our interview with Leah Missildine, director of the Alabama 9-1-1 Board here: https://youtu.be/uQzduLi4WkM In their own words: An interview with Leah Missildine, Executive Director of the AL 9-1-1 Board
Are you gearing up to deploy a statewide NG9-1-1 GIS initiative? Since 2020, The Alabama 9-1-1 Board and DATAMARK Technologies have partnered to unify GIS data for NG9-1-1 across the state. Are you gearing up to deploy a statewide NG9-1-1 GIS initiative?
