New proposed legislation titled ‘Emergency 911 Act’ began second reading in the House of Assembly today. If passed, the new Act will guide the transition of the NL911 Bureau into the Department of Justice and Public Safety.
This change will not affect the 911 service to the public and calls to 911 will continue to be answered and routed to first responders. NL911 staff will be transitioned into core government. The current service fee paid by users would remain the same. The department will continue working with the NL911 staff and board member organizations to ensure a seamless transition.
The department would have direct oversight over the 911 service. This will ensure NL911 is part of the consolidation and coordination of public safety and emergency services functions within the Emergency Services branch of government, including the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre, a province wide emergency public safety radio system and the implementation of recommendations from the Inquiry into Ground Search and Rescue for Lost and Missing Persons in Newfoundland and Labrador. It will bring the province in line with the majority of jurisdictions in Canada that have their 911 services as part of their government departmental structures.
While Next Generation 911 is not yet available in any jurisdiction in Canada, government’s intention is to move forward with the Next Generation 911. The department will work closely with partners to move this project forward.
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“The 911 service is critical in ensuring the safety and well-being of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The goal of this transition is to create synergies while we modernize and enhance the system to provide even better service as it becomes part of our broader public safety initiatives. The department will build on the good work done by the agency and the board. We thank front-line emergency responders for the critical role they play in the safety of residents of the province.”
Honourable John Hogan, QC
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General
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Emily-Jane Gillingham
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-5524, 730-4607
emilygillingham@gov.nl.ca