Vanderbilt University and Nashville Department of Emergency Communications Awarded National Science Foundation Grant

The Nashville Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) and Vanderbilt University are excited to share that they received a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to further develop the world’s first AI-based Emergency Dispatch Call Simulator “Angie”.

The simulator enhances training for emergency dispatchers by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly. It creates a safe space where dispatchers can practice and further develop their skills, receive real-time feedback, and learn to manage various emergency situations. It presents dynamic situations using real locations within Nashville and challenges the call takers critical thinking skills. In doing so, the call takers are presented with as close to a live environment possible.

The partnership began nearly two years ago and this grant is the first NSF-funded project since Metro Nashville and Vanderbilt announced its Nashville Innovation Alliance initiative in June, 2024. Meiyi Ma, assistant professor of computer science in the School of Engineering, has led research efforts for Vanderbilt. Ma is also part of Vanderbilt’s Institute for Software Integrated Systems, which conducts basic and applied research at the intersection of cyber and physical systems.

The $300 thousand dollar grant award will continue to fund the project including enhancements to the simulator over the course of the next two years.

Mayor Freddie O’Connell provided the following statement:

“This is one of the first successes of our newly-formed Nashville Innovation Alliance which seeks to foster and grow our innovation ecosystem. I am grateful to our Department of Emergency Communications for their relentless pursuit of excellence. They have consistently made progress on call and response outcomes, and this simulator will further enhance the progress they are making for Nashvillians.”

The partnership between DEC and Vanderbilt University aims to foster ongoing improvements in emergency services, keeping Nashville at the cutting edge of public safety globally.

The simulator honors Angela (Angie) Milliken, a distinguished public servant who retired last fall after dedicating over 40 years to 911 in Music City.