A.I. to the Rescue: Saving 3 Hours Daily for 911 Dispatchers in Crisis

Aurelian, an artificial intelligence (AI) startup specializing in public safety, has secured a $14 million Series A funding round led by venture capital firm NEA, with additional participation from existing investors Y Combinator, FUSE, Liquid 2, and Palm Drive Capital. This investment will be used to expand the company’s AI-driven solutions for U.S. emergency communications centers (ECCs) experiencing severe staffing shortages and increasing call volumes. The platform automates the handling of non-emergency calls, such as noise complaints, parking violations, and general inquiries, reducing the workload on 911 dispatchers [1].

Aurelian’s AI voice assistant was launched in May 2024 and has since been deployed in more than a dozen ECCs across the United States, including Snohomish County, Washington; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Kalamazoo, Michigan. It now serves nearly 5 million Americans, with its system handling an average of 74% of non-emergency calls automatically, effectively saving each dispatcher approximately three hours per day [2]. According to Aurelian CEO and co-founder Max Keenan, the system helps dispatchers avoid burnout and allows them to focus on life-threatening emergencies by offloading routine tasks.

The AI system is designed to recognize real emergencies and immediately transfer those calls to human dispatchers. For non-emergency issues, it collects relevant information and either generates a report or relays details directly to the appropriate police department for follow-up. Aurelian’s AI platform supports over 35 languages via voice, SMS, and web chat, enabling ECCs to better serve linguistically diverse communities [3].

The need for such AI solutions has become increasingly urgent as emergency dispatchers face high-pressure working conditions. The profession ranks among the top 10 industries with the highest turnover rates, often requiring 12- to 16-hour workdays. Keenan emphasized that Aurelian is not replacing existing staff but addressing gaps in hiring caused by the high demands of the job. NEA Partner Mustafa Neemuchwala highlighted that Aurelian is the only AI company currently deployed and handling live calls, setting it apart from competitors such as Hyper and Prepared, which have yet to launch live operations [3].

While AI startups in this space are emerging, Aurelian has demonstrated rapid adoption and trust among public safety officials within a year of its launch. Neemuchwala praised the team’s commitment to public safety and noted that they have earned the respect of ECCs nationwide. The company aims to expand its reach further with the new funding, which will support the development and deployment of its AI technology across more 911 centers in the U.S. [2].

Aurelian represents a growing trend of AI adoption in emergency services, particularly where human resources are stretched thin. The data shows that by automating routine tasks, AI can free up critical time for emergency response personnel to focus on urgent matters, potentially improving both efficiency and public safety outcomes. As the company continues to scale, it may serve as a model for how AI can be responsibly integrated into high-stakes public infrastructure systems [1].

Source:

[1] Aurelian Raises $14M Series A to Ease 911 Dispatcher Workloads with AI (https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250827895125/en/Aurelian-Raises-%2414M-Series-A-to-Ease-911-Dispatcher-Workloads-with-AI)

[2] Aurelian Raises $14M Series A to Ease 911 Dispatcher Workloads with AI (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/aurelian-raises-14m-series-ease-190000514.html)

[3] 911 Centers Are So Understaffed, They’re Turning to AI to Answer Calls (https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/27/911-centers-are-so-understaffed-theyre-turning-to-ai-to-answer-calls/)