Fire Dispatch to Be Outsourced as County Prepares for Next-Generation 911

Date: May 08, 2023

Prince Edward County Fire and Rescue is preparing for the transition to next-generation 911 (NG911) by outsourcing its fire dispatch services, citing the high cost and complexity of implementing the new technology internally.

At a recent council meeting, councillors approved awarding a $405,797.50 contract to the City of St. Catharines to provide fire dispatch services. The agreement positions the County to meet upcoming federal and regulatory requirements tied to NG911.

Why the Change Is Needed

All municipalities across Canada are required to transition to NG911, a system that will allow residents to share texts, photos, videos, medical data, and automatic vehicle crash information directly with emergency call centres.

The CRTC has mandated that telecommunications providers upgrade their networks to support NG911 voice and text services, while municipalities must ensure their emergency call centres are fully NG911-ready by March 2025.

According to Deputy Fire Chief Tim Kraemer, Prince Edward County’s call volume—approximately 600 fire calls per year—does not justify the significant investment required to meet NG911 standards independently.

“Implementing NG911 locally would require costly dispatch software and hardware, certified full-time dispatch staff, and dedicated IT support, making it neither practical nor economical,” Kraemer noted in his report to council.

Cost-Effective Regional Solution

The County issued a request for proposals seeking qualified dispatch providers capable of handling current and future 911 services. Four submissions were received, with St. Catharines offering the lowest and most cost-effective bid.

When broken down annually, the contract cost fits within the County’s approved dispatch budget of $84,900 per year. Other proposals came from Tillsonburg Fire and Rescue, Owen Sound Police, and Northern Communication Services Inc.

If fully implemented, the new dispatch service could begin as early as June.

Regional Coordination

Fire officials have also worked with Hastings and Prince Edward County Mutual Aid Fire Chiefs to align dispatch services where possible. Several Hastings County departments have selected the same vendor, allowing for greater coordination during mutual aid responses.

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