Owen Sound Police say they’re closer to launching Canada’s new, high-tech 911 service known as Next Generation 911 (NG 911).
The CRTC is mandating the service be used nationwide. It will eventually have call data, photos and video slated to be available to the public early next year.
The Owen Sound Police Service is known for its emergency dispatch centre, which supports about eight police departments and 22 fire departments all over Grey Bruce, but also as far away as Cobourg and Dryden.
Police wrapped up their 911 transfer tests this week, finishing what they say was a long and difficult process of Next Generation 911 compatibility.
They say they are now ready to receive calls and also transfer them to other NG 911 partners.
Chief Craig Ambrose says, “The milestone for NG911 completion makes the Owen Sound Police Service one of only two or three public safety agencies in all of Canada to complete this step.”
He adds, “These enhancements will further improve the safety of the Grey-Bruce community and all other dispatched partners in a continual improvement process by our communications centre.”
Earlier this year, the service completed its first test call with Bell Canada.
The Owen Sound Police Service’s Communications Centre serves about 300,000 citizens across Ontario.
Back in the summer of 2017, the CRTC directed all phone companies to update their networks to make them capable of handling NG9-1-1 with various deadlines for this year and next.
