Abiliene's emergency 911 dispatch system is getting an upgrade. The Abilene City Council approved the $127,000 change last November.

The plan is for the new computer system to go live around the second week of July, according to Greg Goettsch with the Abilene Fire Department.

The new computer program allows dispatchers to give more information to first responders and will better serve the patient.

A software called Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) will help dispatchers ask more pertinent medical questions for people who need emergency assistance.

"This is going to be a tremendous leap forward," Goettsch said. "This system gives the 911 operators more tools to deal with the calling party before we get there."

The new computer system will also help MetroCare, an ambulance service in Abilene.

"We actually won't be taking the 911 calls here from within the city," said Neil White, the director of operations.

According to the Abilene Fire Department, there are around 30 dispatchers. No additional people will be hired.