Municipal Affairs
July 4, 2016
Enhancing Safety for Residents
Minister Joyce Provides Update on Emergency 911 Service
Eight communities in western Newfoundland have opted to participate in a multi-agency notification approach for 911 calls for medical assistance.
“Residents in the Corner Brook and Bay of Islands area were looking for improved services and, over the last several months, we have been working with the communities in this region to help ensure 911 meets their needs. This new approach means that local fire departments approved to provide medical assistance can respond to calls when they are the nearest first responder. This will result in better response times and increase the safety and well-being of residents.”
- The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services - Newfoundland and Labrador
A high proportion of fire departments in the area are able to respond to medical calls since many of these communities are a significant distance from ambulance services. The eight communities that opted for this new approach are more than a 10-minute drive from the nearest ambulance. They are:
- York Harbour
- Lark Harbour
- McIver’s
- Gillams
- Meadows
- Humber Arm South
- Hughes Brook
- Irishtown-Summerside
All medical 911 emergency calls will continue to be received by the Corner Brook Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and transferred to Western Memorial Regional Hospital. In addition, the PSAP call taker will stay on the line and collect specific details regarding the caller’s name, address and concern, which will be provided to the local fire department.
The emergency 911 service was implemented on a province-wide basis in March 2015 and is administered through the NL 911 Bureau Inc.
QUICK FACTS
- Eight communities in western Newfoundland have opted to participate in a multi-agency notification approach for 911 calls for medical assistance.
- Communities in the Corner Brook and Bay of Islands region that agreed to this updated approach are: York Harbour, Lark Harbour, McIver’s, Gillams, Meadows, Humber Arm South, Hughes Brook, and Irishtown-Summerside.
- This new approach means that local fire departments approved to provide medical assistance can respond to calls when they are the nearest first responder.
- All medical 911 emergency calls will continue to be received by the Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP).
- The emergency 911 service was implemented on a province-wide basis in March 2015 and is administered through the NL 911 Bureau Inc.
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Media contact:
Bradley Power
Media Relations Manager Fire and Emergency Services - Newfoundland and Labrador 709-729-0857, 690-1810 bradleypower@gov.nl.ca |
2016 07 04 11:05 a.m.