The ConveyConnect+ Preparedness Checklist: 10 Questions Every PSAP Should Ask

September is National Preparedness Month. It’s the right time to ask: Is your language access system ready for a real emergency?

Most PSAPs check their radios, backup power, and evacuation plans. But language services? Those often go untested—until they fail when lives are on the line.

This checklist gives you 10 key questions to spot gaps and strengthen your center’s readiness.

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1. Can your system handle 10x the normal call volume?

• During disasters, call volumes spike. In some cases, non-English calls rise even faster.

• If your system can’t scale instantly, you’ll face dangerous delays.

ConveyConnect+ scales automatically with AI translation and 30,000+ human interpreters, even in peak demand.

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2. What’s your backup when no interpreter is available?

• Some languages may not have a live interpreter at 2 AM.

• Without a backup, critical details can be lost.

ConveyConnect+ provides AI coverage in 225+ languages, including offline access for the top 25.

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3. How fast can you connect to interpretation?

• Traditional pin systems add minutes. In a cardiac arrest, that’s too long.

• Does your team avoid using interpreters because it takes too long?

ConveyConnect+ connects in under 10 seconds—no pins, no extra dialing.

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4. Can field responders get interpretation directly?

• Dispatch is already stretched thin during a major event.

• Can EMTs, police, or firefighters access help in the field?

ConveyConnect+ offers a mobile app for direct interpreter access.

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5. Do you get full transcripts for compliance?

• Incomplete documentation creates risks in court or QA reviews.

ConveyConnect+ auto-transcribes every call, in both languages, for training and compliance.

6. What if the network goes down?

• Cloud-only services can leave you stranded.

ConveyConnect+ works offline for the most common languages, syncing when service returns.

7. Can multiple agencies coordinate interpretation together?

• Emergencies cross jurisdictions. Mismatched systems cause chaos.

ConveyConnect+ lets partner agencies share interpretation seamlessly.

8. How do you ensure interpreter quality?

• Not all interpreters are trained for high-stress, emergency calls.

ConveyConnect+ uses trained interpreters plus real-time monitoring for accuracy.

9. Does pricing spike during emergencies?

• Some providers raise rates just when you need them most.

ConveyConnect+ offers flat, predictable pricing—no surge costs.

10. Can your services adapt to community changes?

• Languages in your area change with migration and demographics.

ConveyConnect+ gives instant access to 225+ languages and real usage data.

Scoring Your Readiness

• 25–30 points: Emergency-ready.

• 20–24: Mostly prepared.

• 15–19: Gaps to fix.

• Below 15: High risk—take urgent action.

Why This Matters

Preparedness is more than radios and backup generators. Language services are critical infrastructure. Without them, communication breaks down when it matters most.

ConveyConnect+ was built for emergencies: scalable, redundant, and fast. With it, you can answer “yes” to every checklist question.

Why traditional language lines fail during emergencies

FAQ: 911 Language Access & Preparedness

Is our language service ready for a 10× surge in calls?

During disasters, call volume and non-English calls can spike fast. Your system should scale instantly so call-takers never wait for language support.

How fast should interpretation connect from call answer?

Seconds matter. Aim for immediate AI support with human interpreters available in under ~10 seconds—without pins, extra dialing, or workflow detours.

Can field responders access interpretation directly?

Yes—best practice is to give EMTs, police, and fire teams a mobile path to AI and human interpreters so they don’t have to route through an overloaded dispatch.

What happens if our network or internet goes down?

Plan for offline continuity. Core translation for common languages should keep working and sync once connectivity returns.

Do we get full transcripts and logs for compliance?

You should capture real-time transcripts and conversation records—regardless of interpretation method—for QA, legal, and training needs.

Will pricing surge during emergencies?

Avoid plans that add surge fees when demand is highest. Predictable pricing helps teams use interpretation freely when it matters most.

More reading: Why PSAPs need both AI and human interpreters