News Release Archive
ENVIRONMENT--911 SCHEDULE REVISED ----------------------------------------------------------------- The security of 911 service will be available to residents of Cape Breton by Oct. 31, two months ahead of the original time table. At the request of Halifax Regional Municipality, the start of 911 service for region four (Halifax Regional Municipality, Lunenburg County and West Hants Municipality) will now take place by Dec. 31, rather than the original target date of Sept. 30. The change in scheduling allows the regional municipality the time required to prepare for 911, including the upgrading of the telecommunications system. Staffing issues is also a consideration in the request for an extension. The changes in starting dates will not have any impact on the target of providing province wide 911 service by the end of the year. While work on the Cape Breton component will be accelerated, preparations will continue in the Halifax, Lunenburg, West Hants area. Briefing sessions for emergency personnel in communities throughout Halifax, Lunenburg and West Hants will continue as planned. Currently, over 35 per cent of Nova Scotians have access to emergency services through 911. Residents of Kings County have had 911 service since 1992. On April 1 the service was extended to people living in Colchester and Cumberland Counties as well as the Municipality of East Hants. Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth, Digby and Annapolis Counties residents began using 911 June 17. The service became available in Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough counties July 1. The roll-out of 911 on Cape Breton will mean that the 165,000 residents there will have immediate access to fire, police and ambulance. Fire departments, police services and ambulances across the island will all be linked to one of two public safety answering points. The RCMP telecommunications centre on Alexandra Street, Sydney will be the primary call centre for rural areas, while the Cape Breton Regional dispatch centre, Grand Lake Road, will handle most urban calls. -30- Contact: Mike Myette 902-424-6206 trp July 09, 1996 - 9:23 a.m.