Modernizing B.C.’s 9-1-1 system will be costly; changes expected by 2025: E-Comm
Posted September 22, 2023 10:29 pm.
Municipal leaders are in favour of recent efforts to modernize the 9-1-1 system, and B.C.’s emergency call-takers are pleased to have the support.
E-Comm vice-president of communications Dave Cunningham says the organization is working to create a system that would let people send photos, videos, and texts to 9-1-1.
“On the user side, there’ll be absolutely no change in the experience. You will still call 911, you will still receive the same immediate answer at the other end of the phone,” Cunningham said.
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Cunningham notes things will change on the E-Comm’s end, however, as operators will have “improved geolocation and mapping” to ensure they’re able to accurately locate those in distress.
As he explains, the system will bring great new capabilities to call-takers — but it’ll be costly.
“Anytime you’re investing in new technology, it costs a lot of extra money,” he said Cunningham. “That’s something that our local governments who are responsible for 9-1-1 in B.C. have really struggled with.”
Cunningham says the system will cost $90 million to bring in by 2025, but annual operating costs haven’t been determined. The province announced a $150 million investment in upgrades to its 9-1-1 system in March 2023, and Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth said it would “help ensure safer and coordinated emergency responses.”
“When people experience a life-threatening emergency, they need to know they can count on an accessible and reliable 911 system,” he stated in a B.C. government release.
“That was very welcome and much-needed financial assistance from the province and we’re very grateful for that,” Cunningham told CityNews.
In terms of possible concerns associated with implementing this new system, he says E-Comm is working to make sure it doesn’t overload call-takers who are already experiencing burnout amid record-high call volumes.
