Minister Provides Update on Province-wide Basic 911 Implementation

The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador, today provided an update on the progress being made to implement a province-wide basic 911 system.

“Officials at Fire and Emergency Services have been focusing on development work over the last few months to establish the framework for a Newfoundland and Labrador basic 911 system,” said Minister O’Brien. “We have been reviewing a number of approaches to building our system and have been evaluating the best options available to us to move this project ahead. Our government has committed that by the end of 2014, basic 911 services will be expanded throughout the province and planning for a more advanced 911 system- Next Generation (NG) 911- will have commenced. I am pleased to report we are on track to meet that commitment.”

The Provincial Government announced this past summer its intent to implement a province-wide basic system, following the release of POMAX Consulting Incorporated’s 911 feasibility study. The report noted existing models suitable for the needs of Newfoundland and Labrador could be found in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Since that time, officials have been engaged in discussions with counterparts in the Atlantic provinces to determine the options that best meet the province’s needs. Throughout those discussions, officials have been reviewing management systems to govern a basic 911 service, analyzing options for sustainable financing for the system and identifying appropriate aspects of legislative and regulatory frameworks necessary to establish an improved system in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Our next steps involve making final decisions on the best model for the management of a basic 911 service and efficient, effective system financing, as well as engaging with local telecommunications providers. We expect to provide a further public update at the end of this year,” added Minister O’Brien. “While initial discussions have taken place with some key stakeholders, including the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services and Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL), further consultation is planned in the near future with these and other groups who are responsible for emergency services in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Minister O’Brien said that while civic addressing is not necessary for the implementation of basic 911, it is required for the advanced NG 911 system. Initial discussions to develop an approach to civic addressing in Newfoundland and Labrador have taken place with MNL, the Municipal Assessment Agency, and Provincial Government departments with responsibilities for emergency service providers, with more in-depth discussions to take place in the coming months.

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Media contact:

Cheryl Gullage
Public Relations Specialist
Fire and Emergency Services – Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-0857, 631-9962
CherylGullage@gov.nl.ca 

2013 01 31                                 11:00 a.m.