LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new automated assistant is helping dispatchers in Lincoln get firefighters and paramedics out to emergencies more quickly.

The system named Samantha began broadcasting announcements over the city’s 911 radio system Nov. 28.

Officials say the $610,000 program is shaving seconds off the department’s response time. The system was bought using a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant with a 10 percent local match.

Dispatcher Carson Coles says with the help of Samantha, he can now dispatch multiple units at one time instead of having to decide which call is a priority.