How Unify (CAD-to-CAD) Cuts Dispatcher Phone Calls by 50% and Saves Lives

Dispatchers today undergo more pressure than years past. Many centers are understaffed. Call volume is climbing. And emergencies are growing more complex, often requiring multi-agency coordination. Every second spent juggling extra communications is a second that could be spent saving lives.

In many 911 centers, dispatchers are forced to make multiple phone calls or radio transmissions just to coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions. Not only does this slow response, it increases the risk of miscommunication or duplication of effort. It also takes a toll on dispatcher wellness, contributing to cognitive overload and burnout.

Unify changes that.

By securely sharing real-time CAD data between cooperating agencies, Unify eliminates the need for many of those extra voice communications. Agencies on the same CAD-to-CAD network can see what’s happening across jurisdictional lines instantly. That means fewer phone calls, faster coordination and a clearer picture of the emergency.

On average, Unify reduces phone call volume by 50%. It increases operational efficiency, gives dispatchers breathing room and delivers better outcomes for your community.

Unify CAD-to-CAD

Unify by CentralSquare is a cloud-based CAD-to-CAD network that lets 911 centers share real-time data across jurisdictions and organizations – without relying on time-consuming phone calls. It’s built for true interoperability and faster emergency response, so you can better serve your citizens.

When agencies use Unify, they no longer have to call neighboring jurisdictions to coordinate a joint response. Instead, dispatchers can send and receive controlled CAD messages across agencies using Unify’s bi-directional network (data flows in both directions).

Unify breaks down jurisdictional barriers so dispatchers can identify and deploy the closest, most appropriate unit, regardless of which county it technically belongs to. As a result, agencies using Unify report average call processing times of 1.5 minutes – 30 seconds faster than most 911 centers.

Not only that, it improves emergency response times and outcomes. With Unify, responders arrive to the incident faster and more prepared with the latest, updated information.

Unify is vendor-agnostic and can connect with any CAD system, including homegrown solutions. Agencies can also extend controlled data sharing beyond traditional PSAPs. Connect with schools, hospitals, transportation departments, towing companies and others to share exactly what’s needed.

At the end of the day, Unify results in faster response, smarter coordination and 50% fewer phone calls. That’s less stress on dispatchers and better service for the communities they protect.

Case Study: Southwest Ohio

In May of 2025, several dispatch centers in Southwest Ohio united under a single, CAD-to-CAD network: CentralSquare Unify. Those centers included the City of Cincinnati, Hamilton County Communications, Warren County Communications, West Chester Communications and Northeast Communications

“Each partner involved in implementing this CAD-to-CAD connection has spent countless hours to ensure that, once activated, this integrated system will be the best it can be for the citizens of Southwest Ohio.”

Joshua Moyer, Public Safety Systems Manager, Warren County Telecommunications & Southwest Ohio CAD-to-CAD Project Manager

The CAD-to-CAD network allows agencies to dispatch mutual aid faster, share real-time updates without delays and easily coordinate emergency responses across jurisdictions. In fact, this has already proven to be true…

In one incident since the implementation, Warren County dispatchers were able to instantly send aid to an officer-in-distress alert in neighboring Hamilton County. The closest available unit was able to respond, despite belonging to a different jurisdiction.

This is a significant step forward for Southwest Ohio, creating a united front for emergency response that goes beyond county lines. It’s more than data sharing. It’s life-saving coordination.

With growing interest from neighboring regions, the Southwest Ohio network is now poised to become a statewide model for efficient, unified emergency communications.

Bottom Line

Unify is transforming the way 911 centers operate. By reducing dispatcher phone calls by up to 50%, it speeds up multi-agency coordination and improves response times. Agencies using Unify are processing calls 30 seconds faster than other agencies, on average – a time savings that can mean the difference between life and death.

This isn’t a theory. It’s happening right now in Southwest Ohio. Dispatch centers across Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Warren County and more are using our CAD-to-CAD network to break down jurisdictional silos and improve coordination. Unify is smart technology solving real problems; it reduces workload, boosts situational awareness and ultimately saves lives.

Unify eliminates the noise and brings clarity to crisis response. More than CAD-to-CAD, it’s your agency’s path to a stronger, smarter emergency response network. If you’re not connected yet, it’s time to ask why. Schedule a discovery call today to learn how CentralSquare Unify can help your agency reduce the burden on dispatchers and save lives.