Justice and Public Safety
December 15, 2014

Basic 911 Service Enhances Safety for Residents

Minister Provides Update on Basic 911 Implementation and Announces New Executive Director of NL 911 Bureau Inc.

The Provincial Government today provided an update on the status of the new province-wide Basic 911 service. The new service will come into full effect in early 2015, following the final coordination of all technological and data requirements.

�Significant progress has been made on the implementation of a new province-wide Basic 911 service. Public Safety Answering Points in St. John�s and Corner Brook are in the final stages of activation, and the new 911 service will now come into effect early in 2015. While the implementation plan originally projected the service would be fully operational by the end of 2014, additional time is being allocated to ensure all technological and data requirements are met before the service goes live. Full implementation will occur in the first two months of 2015 and the new monthly 911 fee on all phone lines will come into effect on March 1, 2015.�
- The Honourable Judy Manning, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-NL

The final implementation date for the new Basic 911 service has been extended to allow for additional testing and training on the Geographic Information System (GIS) data and the new 911 call taking software to ensure the 911 system is fully functional before the service goes live.

Since announcing the Basic 911 initiative in 2012, the Provincial Government has completed extensive work on preparation and implementation of the new service. Province-wide consultations were conducted; the new Emergency 911 Act was passed in the House of Assembly; and new NL 911 Bureau Inc. positions are in the final stages of recruitment. In addition, Public Safety Answering Points in St. John�s and Corner Brook are in the final stages of development. Further information on progress to date is contained in the backgrounder below.

Minister Manning also announced the new Executive Director of the NL 911 Bureau Inc. today, which is the governing body for the new service.

�I�m pleased to announce that as a result of a recent job competition, Michael Dwyer is the new Executive Director of the NL 911 Bureau Incorporated. Mr. Dwyer brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this new role, stemming from his years serving as the Director of Regional Fire and Emergency Services for the City of St. John�s where he oversaw the fire department�s operations, including the 911 communications centre. I welcome Mr. Dwyer and look forward to his contribution.�
- Minister Manning

Mr. Dwyer�s biography is contained in the backgrounder below. An announcement on appointments to the new NL 911 Bureau Inc. Board of Directors will be made in the coming days.

Once province-wide Basic 911 service is expanded it will be available to all residents via landline and wherever a cellular signal can be accessed. More information on the new 911 service can be found at www.nl911.ca Link opens in a new window.

QUICK FACTS

  • The province-wide Basic 911 system will come into full effect in early 2015, following final coordination of all technological and data requirements.
  • The new Executive Director of NL 911 Bureau Incorporated is Michael Dwyer.
  • Once the province-wide Basic 911 service is expanded it will be available to all residents via landline and wherever a cellular signal can be accessed.

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Media contact:
Bradley Power
Public Relations Specialist
Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-0857, 690-1810
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Basic 911 Service Implementation Progress

The province-wide Basic 911 initiative was announced in 2012. Since then, there has been significant progress made towards meeting the implementation objective, as outlined below:

  • Funding was appropriated in Budgets 2013 and 2014 to support the implementation.
  • An implementation team was established within Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • Standards of service were developed for Public Safety Answering Points, consistent with National Fire Protection Association Standards.
  • Province-wide consultations were conducted with local governments and emergency response providers.
  • The Emergency 911 Act was passed in the House of Assembly.
  • The cities of St. John�s (for 911 calls on the Avalon Peninsula) and Corner Brook (for calls from the remainder of the province) were identified as the primary Public Safety Answering Points.
  • Emergency 911 Fee Regulations were published, establishing the 75 cent per phone line per month fee to fund the 911 service.
  • Arrangements were made with telecommunications service providers for the collection of the 911 fee and remittance to the NL 911 Bureau Incorporated.
  • Emergency response zones were identified in consultation with local governments and emergency responders.
  • Technology and the necessary software for the new service was identified and procured.
  • Procedures were developed for quality assurance and auditing processes for the Public Safety Answering Points.
  • Training modules were developed.
  • A tender was issued and a contract awarded for the office space and furnishings for the NL 911 Bureau Inc.
  • Discussions were held with the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association on options to enable receipt of text messages through the new 911 service.
  • A public education campaign is under development.
  • Nominations have been received for the seats on the Board of Directors for NL 911 Bureau Inc.

Biography of Michael Dwyer

Michael Dwyer previously held the position of Director of Regional Fire and Emergency Services (Fire Chief) with the St. John�s Regional Fire Department from 2000 to May 2014.

Prior to 2000, Mr. Dwyer spent 22 years with the Provincial Government. From 1990 to 2000, he served in Assistant Deputy Minister positions with the Department of Government Services, as well as Occupational Health and Safety and Municipal Affairs.

From 1978 to 1990 Mr. Dwyer worked with the Department of Works, Services and Transportation in several capacities including Regional Director (Deer Lake), Soils and Paving Engineer, and Project Engineer.

Mr. Dwyer is a professional engineer and has served on numerous boards and committees in the past. He served as Chair of the Building and Codes Committee with the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, Member/Chair of Provincial-Territorial Committee on Building Standards, Member of Workers� Compensation Board of Directors in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Governor on the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.

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