Fairfax County 911 calls are now being transcribed by artificial intelligence in real time, allowing drones and emergency crews to deploy before a dispatcher finishes processing a call. Reston residents fall under the system's coverage through the Reston District Station.
The Fairfax County Police Department announced Thursday that its Real Time Crime Center has implemented AI technology that continuously listens to 911 calls, identifies critical details using the county's own dispatch protocols and immediately alerts RTCC staff when a qualifying incident is detected. The system can trigger a Drone as First Responder deployment while the caller is still on the line.
The technology runs on Axon's Prepared platform. Dispatchers still make final decisions on resource deployment. The system also allows 911 callers to voluntarily share live video, photos or their location through a secure link.
"Using AI to identify critical information from 911 calls in real time allows us to deploy resources faster, improve situational awareness, and provide responders with the information they need to make better decisions," Police Chief Kevin Davis said in the announcement.
Fire and Rescue now permanently stationed at the crime center
The Thursday announcement also confirmed that Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department personnel are now permanently assigned to the RTCC. The department's press release described the arrangement as a "long-term pilot program" but did not specify a start date or end date. Fire Chief John Butler said the partnership gives fire crews "more accurate information, leading to the faster dispatch of needed resources and allowing our crews to arrive on scene with a clearer picture of what's waiting for them."
The RTCC is a joint operation among FCPD, Fire and Rescue, and the Department of Public Safety Communications, led by Director Scott Brillman.
What this means for Reston
The AI transcription system is what triggers those drone deployments. FCPD's March 2026 DFR program launch stated the department planned approximately 18 drone sites countywide by summer 2026, with at least one at every district station, which would include the Reston District Station. That means a Reston 911 call could have a drone overhead in under two minutes.
That under-two-minute average comes from FCPD's April 2026 program results. On Monday, April 13, a drone deployed within 30 seconds after a detective spotted a burglary suspect. During a single week that month, drones assisted in five incidents including two mental health crises, an assault arrest and locating a crash victim in a ravine hidden from road view.
How to report emergencies
Residents can call 911 for emergencies or the Fairfax County non-emergency line at 703-691-2131 for non-urgent reports.
