Investment in 911 network supports safer communities

The Province is working with local governments to build stronger communities through upgrades to critical emergency communications services that will help keep people safe and improve emergency responses.

The Province’s $150-million investment will fund upgrades to B.C.’s 911 emergency communications system, which is aging and increasingly incompatible with evolving technologies. The upgrades to Next Generation 911 will allow people the choice to contact 911 through new options, such as real-time text, and to and caller location features.

“When people experience a lifethreatening emergency, they need to know they can count on an accessible and reliable 911 system,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “Next Generation 911’s advanced technology will help ensure safer and co-ordinated emergency responses. Our $150-million investment will support local governments through a transition to Next Generation 911 to help ensure the safety of people throughout B.C.”

E-Comm, which handles 99% of B.C.’s 911 call volume, is leading Next Generation 911’s implementation in most B.C. municipalities. Pending approval by the legislative assembly, the Province’s $150-million investment will help offset local governments’ costs for transitioning to Next Generation 911 and be divided into two parts:

$90 million will be provided to EComm for technological upgrades; and

$60 million will be provided to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) to defray costs, such as staffing, training and quality assurance.

Next Generation 911 will improve public safety and confidence in the 911 network. Its features will make the 911 system more accessible for people who choose to communicate confidentially with emergency services, and for people with disabilities who will be able to use different text media to interact with operators. The technology’s capacity to provide real-time accounts of domestic violence and other emergencies and unfolding events will help dispatchers and improve emergency responses.

“Keeping people safe is a core value of government,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Citizens’ Services. “Working together with municipalities, regional districts and First Nations to improve emergency communications is vital to enhancing public safety for people living in and travelling through the most remote parts of the province. We are working to improve connectivity in B.C. because everyone deserves to have access to the services they need, especially emergency services, no matter where they live.”

The implementation of Next Generation 911 and the Connecting Communities BC program support government commitments to provide high-speed internet services and enhance 911 services in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.