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Saskatchewan is taking initial steps in the transition to a new 911 system that will allow people to provide more information, including photos and videos, when reporting emergencies.
Saskatchewan is the first province to move all of its primary 911 communication centres to the Next Generation 9-1-1 network in compliance with a new federal mandate, said a news release from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) on Tuesday.
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“This is the first step of a multi-year, multimillion-dollar project that will pave the way for deploying new technology and modernizing the province’s emergency response system,” Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Paul Merriman said in the release. “This project will dramatically enhance public safety in Saskatchewan.”
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A gradual nation-wide transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 began more than a decade ago, although it has been moving more quickly in recent years and reflects the evolution of telecommunications technology beyond voice calling.
Once the project is complete in the coming years, people will have expanded options to communicate with 911 and eventually be able to send text messages, photos and videos over the network to equip emergency services with additional details to respond safely and effectively.
The SPSA and SaskTel are working with secondary 911 communication centres to upgrade technology by the end of March 2025, added the release.
Saskatchewan is funding upgrades through the 911 service fee.
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