Johnston County Partners in Historic Exercise Routing Live 911 Calls Across State Lines
For immediate release: February 13, 2026
Smithfield, N.C. - Johnston County took center stage in a recent demonstration that successfully routed live 911 calls from North Carolina to Washington, D.C.
The first-of-its-kind demonstration sent North Carolina calls across state lines over North Carolina’s Emergency Services IP Network, or ESINet, a Next Generation 911 technology.
During the exercise, 911 calls originating in Johnston County were routed through ESInet to Washington, D.C., where Johnston County telecommunicators answered them inside a mobile command center known as THOR (Tactical Homeland Operations Response). The telecommunicators in D.C. were able to remotely process the calls, which were simultaneously dispatched by telecommunicators in Johnston County.
The demonstration proved that Johnston County can maintain emergency call operations even if a disaster, cyber incident, or other disruption prevents staff from working inside the County’s communications center.
The exercise also tested advanced data delivery systems, including integration with Johnston County’s computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system, location services, and redundant wireless connections using FirstNet and commercial carriers. Those layers of backup help ensure calls, caller data and dispatch information can continue flowing even if traditional systems are disrupted.
"Johnston County 911 was glad to help in the proof-of-concept exercise, and we were able to put some of our own equipment and concepts to the test that passed flawlessly,” said Morgan Harris, the County’s 911 director. “We are truly blessed in this great nation to have the partnerships not only at the county and state level but now nationally to ensure the citizens that no matter where they are, their calls can be answered and help sent.”
North Carolina’s ESInet has already proven its reliability during real-world emergencies, including Hurricane Helene, when emergency calls from affected communities were successfully routed to public safety partners across the state. Johnston County’s participation helped extend those capabilities beyond state lines.
The Washington, D.C., deployment was led by N.C. 911 Board Executive Director Pokey Harris and Johnston County 911 Deputy Director Zack Alexander, who were accompanied by Johnston County Emergency Communications Assistant Supervisor Darren Wilkins and Training Quality Assurance Specialist Jonathan Davis. The team supported on-site operations, coordination and testing during the demonstration, helping ensure the success of the cross-state Next Generation 911 exercise.
“This was an opportunity for Johnston County to demonstrate both preparedness and collaboration with our partners in public safety,” Harris said.
“Our telecommunicators are highly trained professionals, and this technology ensures they can continue serving our community under virtually any circumstances,” he added.
Pokey Harris, executive director of the N.C. 911 Board, said the demonstration had validated the ESInet’s reliability and potential for nationwide interoperability. “We appreciate the efforts of the Washington, D.C., Office of Unified Communications, Johnston County Emergency Communications, and our vendor partners in turning this proof of concept into reality,” she said.
Teena Piccione is chair of the N.C. 911 Board and secretary of the N.C. Department of Information Technology. “This exercise highlights how innovation and technology can save lives,” she said. “North Carolina’s ESInet enables us to transmit calls, data, and expertise to where they are needed most, ensuring community protection even in tough situations.”
“Public safety,” she added, “relies on preparedness, partnerships, and advanced technology, and this success shows what can be achieved when states, local agencies and industry work together with a common goal.”
AT&T and Rapid SOS were the industry partners in the demonstration.
911-1: Washington DC team with NC 911 Board Staff and Johnston County 911 team in Washington DC in front of THOR
911-2: Johnston County Board of Commissioners Chairman, Patrick Harris
911-3: Johnston County 911 Supervisor Kellie Sugg standing by for coordination from Washington DC team
911-4: NC 911 Board Staff, Industry Partners and Johnston County 911 team inside THOR
911-5: Johnston County 911 team inside DCOUC with NC 911 Board Staff
911-6: Johnston County 911 team inside the Emergency Operations Center
911-7: Assistant Supervisor Darren Wilkins processing a Johnston County call in Washington DC