PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Salem will begin using an AI-assistant to answer non-emergency calls at its 9-1-1 dispatch center.
The tool, known as Ava, is being rolled out at Willamette Valley Communications Center as part of a six-month pilot program to test how well it manages calls.
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“With the Ava system, we aim to provide a seamless experience for callers, ensuring that they can receive assistance efficiently while allowing our staff to focus on more complex or time-sensitive situations,” said Salem Fire Chief Dave Gerboth in a press release.
Ava is already in use in a number of places, including Snohomish County, Wash., where it has been used to handle 220,000 non-emergency calls since it was launched in 2024, as reported by KIRO…