Bluewater Fire Services says the Owen Sound Emergency Communications Centre, which handles its dispatching, has officially launched the new Next Generation 9-1-1 system. All emergency service providers across Canada must switch to this new system by March 2027.
The upgrade replaces the old 9-1-1 phone network with a modern digital system. People will still call 9-1-1 the same way, but the technology behind the scenes will now work faster and more reliably.
The new system provides more accurate caller location and phone number information, stronger cybersecurity, and better backup systems to keep the service running during emergencies. It will also make room for future tools such as real-time text messaging and other digital ways to contact 9-1-1.
Bluewater Fire Services says the change will help responders reach people more quickly when every second counts.