By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Move over analogue, Next Generation 911 has arrived in Chatham-Kent.
Officially launched Dec. 1, the municipality’s new state-of-the-art system utilizes technology capable of identifying a caller’s location in real time with near pinpoint accuracy.
“We can identify where a call is being made within a few metres,” said Amy Dawson, manager of the Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) emergency communications centre that dispatches police and fire. Because the technology provides instant results, she said the information means first responders can respond faster.
“That’s what every emergency communicator wants is to get help to someone as quick as they possibly can,” Dawson told reporters at a media information session in Chatham.
Chatham-Kent’s 911 call centre responds to an average of 3,000 calls per month, 80 per cent of which come from cell phones. Chatham-Kent Emergency Medical Services (EMS) currently runs its own call centre, but will join police and fire in the new centre next year.
CKPS Chief Kirk Earley said the system, commonly referred to as “NG911,” enhances safety across the board.
“Keeping our community safe is at the core of what we do,” Earley said. “NG911 will make sure when someone calls for help, our first responders receive the most accurate and up-to-date information possible so we can get there faster.
“Previously in the analogue system, we had a 100-foot radius; now we’re down to 10 feet,” the chief explained. “That’s key.”
NG911 also allows operators to track cell phone “drops” with the ability to see a caller’s location in a moving vehicle. And when the second phase of the project rolls out in 2027, emergency dispatchers will be able to receive real-time texting and video communication. Translation capacity for non-English speaking callers will also be built in.
Officials said the new system benefits distraught callers – those who can’t speak and people in dangerous situations. All stressed the importance of time.
“So, in the fire service, seconds can save lives,” Chatham-Kent Fire & Rescue assistant chief Adam Walters said. “NG911 is going to increase the data we can get to front-line firefighters,” he added, giving personnel critical information so they can use it to prepare enroute.
CK EMS acting general manager Pete Morasutti echoed Walters.
“Every second matters,” he said. “Better situational awareness means paramedics can begin life-saving decision making from the moment we are dispatched.”
According to CKPS project manager Sarah VandenBrand, Chatham-Kent already has the capability to handle the 2027 D-2 (additional information) rollout and has built in safeguards against cyberattacks, noting the system is cut off from the Internet, with no external access.
“We actually locked it down so that nobody can gain access, and it’s completely separated by its own extensive firewalls and government-standard security,” VandenBrand explained.
Earley thanked both VandenBrand and Dawson for their efforts in getting the project off the ground.
Chatham-Kent is one of the municipalities leading the way in Ontario joining 19 other municipalities who incorporated NG911. The federal government has mandated the system be adopted Canada-wide by 2027.
To date, the Ontario government has provided $4 million in funding for the C-K project.
