By Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chatham Voice
Wed., Jan. 26, 2022
Change is on the way for the delivery of emergency 9-1-1 services in Chatham-Kent.
Mandated by the Canadian Radio and Television Commission with a 2025 deadline, the switch will see a new ‘Next Generation 911’ (NG 911) digital system replacing the out-dated analog system currently in use.
At the Jan. 17 Chatham-Kent council meeting, Holly Barkwell of the Barkwell Holland group, presented councillors with the results of a recent municipal 911 needs assessment conducted by the company.
The veteran public safety advisor told the meeting 911 is going to change dramatically from the system set up more than 40 years ago.
“As we’ve transitioned to the introduction of mobile technology and smart devices, it’s become increasingly clear that the infrastructure cannot handle the load that we’re placing on it today,” Barkwell told council.
“And it will not prepare us for tomorrow.”
Once the change is implemented, Barkwell said the public will be able to contact 911 from any device, stressing the word “contact” as real-time texting, real-time video connections and other electronic data will be incorporated rather than simply making a phone call.
Data from smart buildings and vehicles will also come into play, Barkwell said. In addition, GIS (geographic information system) mapping technology is a core plank of the NG 911.
Read full article here:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2022/01/26/updating-c-ks-911-system-a-pricy-task.html