Fairfax County’s Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC) experiments with an AI system to answer non-energy calls. The AI, ANET (Assisted Non-Emergency Triage) answered calls for a short period of time on August 19th.

The AI system was able to answer calls that could direct callers to other departments when needed in English or Spanish. People could also request to talk to a person if the AI wasn’t helpful. According to the department, the data is “not shared with public AI systems,” and is “retained by the county.” No major issues with the test were reported by Fairfax’s DPSC.

In the fall of 2025, the Fairfax County DPSC is planning on expanding their use of the AI system by implementing phase two. In phase two, ANET will answer a portion of non-emergency calls. The Department hasn’t commented on its further plans for the AI.

ANET is meant to reduce the workload from non-emergency calls so that dispatchers can “focus on real emergencies.” Emergency calls will continue to be answered exclusively by dispatchers.

“The AI system aims to handle routine calls so human operators can save lives,” Fairfax County Government News Center said.

Along with non-emergency calls, other possible uses for ANET have been thrown around.

“The AI system could help process calls in the event of a major storm or other emergency…. and will be used to support the process the county uses for towing vehicles,” Scott Brillman, the director of the Fairfax County DPSC said to wtop news.

ANET has the potential to reduce the workload for dispatchers in Fairfax County, but until the AI system has been in use for a longer period of time, it is unknown how much of a help ANET will be.