On September 26, 2025, a unique pilot project was officially launched at the Bayreuth/Kulmbach Integrated Control Center (ILS): AI-supported emergency call handling. Bavaria’s State Secretary of the Interior, Sandro Kirchner, described the innovation as “a unique pilot project with the aim of significantly improving emergency call handling and making the coordination of operations more efficient.”
The project was launched in December 2023 and, since October 2024, has been using artificial intelligence to automatically translate incoming emergency calls into German. This enables dispatchers to communicate quickly and accurately with callers, regardless of their native language. This feature is a decisive advantage, especially for people with a migrant background and tourists, as it greatly facilitates communication and speeds up the coordination of emergency services.
In the future, the system will be expanded to include another feature: automatic translation of the dispatchers’ language into the native language of the callers. The goal is to minimize misunderstandings and make emergency call communication completely barrier-free. The Free State of Bavaria is providing financial support for this pilot project, thereby sending a clear signal for the integration of modern technologies into civil protection.
The ILS Bayreuth/Kulmbach is responsible for around 250,000 residents in the districts of Bayreuth, Kulmbach, and the city of Bayreuth. It acts as the link between citizens in an emergency and the fire department and rescue services. Emergency calls to 112 are handled by qualified staff, who will be supported by AI systems in the future.
Prospects for politics and disaster control
AI-supported emergency call handling goes beyond technical innovation. It is a strategic milestone for digital civil protection and opens up several prospects:
Modernization and increased efficiency
The use of AI significantly improves the responsiveness of control centers. Automatic translations overcome language barriers and allow dispatchers to act more quickly. The planned expansion of the system promises even greater accessibility, making civil protection more efficient and inclusive overall.
A model for other control centers
As a pilot project that is unique to date, the Bayreuth/Kulmbach model can serve as a blueprint for other regions in Bavaria and throughout Germany. The success of the project could provide long-term impetus for the widespread introduction of similar AI-supported systems in the emergency call system.
Integration into a digital strategy
The project demonstrates Bavaria’s strategic orientation toward systematically integrating modern technologies into its security architecture. The financial support provided by the Free State underscores the importance of digitalization in civil protection. Bavaria could thus become a pioneer for intelligent control center systems in Germany.
Opportunities for cooperation and networking
AI-supported systems could enable better networking between control centers in the future – not only within a region, but also across borders. Uniform digital standards would significantly improve cooperation between control centers and strengthen responsiveness in crisis situations.
Political significance and social benefits
For politicians, this project means strengthening the security architecture through innovative technologies. For society, it brings direct benefits: faster access to assistance, greater security, fewer misunderstandings, and equal participation in the emergency call system.
Challenges and outlook
In addition to the opportunities, there are also challenges to consider: data security, data protection, user acceptance, and the continuous training of emergency services personnel are crucial factors for long-term success. Politically, it will be important to create clear framework conditions that ensure the secure, transparent, and sustainable use of such systems.
Conclusion
The AI-supported emergency call query at the Bayreuth/Kulmbach Integrated Control Center is a groundbreaking pilot project. It combines digitalization, security, and citizen-friendliness in an innovative approach and sets standards for the future of civil protection. This project has the potential to bring about lasting change in emergency call handling in Germany and exemplifies how technological innovations can contribute to improving the coordination of emergency services.
