Image caption: N.C. 911 Board Executive Director Pokey Harris (center) and N.C. 911 Board staff accept the NG911 Awareness Award from the NG9-1-1 Institute.
The N.C. 911 Board has received the NG911 Awareness Award from the NG9-1-1 Institute in recognition of its staff’s national leadership in educating others about the benefits of Next Generation 911.
“Receiving this award reflects the dedication of our staff to not only build a strong system for North Carolina but also to help others understand what NG911 can do,” said Pokey Harris, executive director of the N.C. 911 Board. “By sharing our real-world experience during Hurricane Helene, we’ve been able to show how preparation and modern technology directly support first responders and the public during a crisis.”
The award highlights the board’s efforts to share North Carolina's NG911 experience at national conferences and in briefings with other state 911 boards and state legislators. Through presentations and peer engagement, staff detailed how NG911 strengthened emergency communications during Hurricane Helene and demonstrated the value of sustained investment in modern 911 technology.
North Carolina earned recognition for its presentation, “Validating the Implementation of NG911: 911's Response to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina,” which outlined how the state’s IP-based 911 network supported continuity of service during severe weather and provided critical operational flexibility.
North Carolina’s NG911 system connects 124 public safety answering points (PSAPs) statewide and supports millions of 911 calls each year. During Hurricane Helene, the system enabled seamless call rerouting, highlighting interoperability. The board staff continue to educate and provide awareness as they engage national audiences on the future of emergency communications.