For Immediate Release
Dec. 8, 2004, 4:54 p.m.
Extended 9-1-1 Area Improves Emergency Response
All residents in the City of Kingston and the Townships of South Frontenac and Frontenac Islands now have access to emergency services by dialing 9-1-1 (nine-one-one).
The new 9-1-1 Public Emergency Reporting System - the enhanced version of the current 9-1-1 system - is fully operational. With the new system the telephone subscribers name and street address is automatically displayed to the call-taker.
While most residents in the area won't notice any physical change, George Sutherland, Chair of the 9-1-1 Management Committee explains, "Many areas of our community, and our neighbouring communities, did not have access to emergency services by dialing 9-1-1."
Police, Fire and Ambulance Service officials also stress the importance of only calling 9-1-1 in emergency situations.
If you have an emergency at home dial 9-1-1; at work dial 9-1-1 (you may first need to dial an outside line); at a pay phone dial 9-1-1 (no coin required); from a cellular phone dial 9-1-1 (give your location as it will not be available to the call taker).
For non-emergency situations, please refer to the administrative numbers listed in the white or blue pages of your local phone book.
USING 9-1-1
The 9-1-1 system is reserved for emergency situations only. Non-emergencies should be directed to the non-emergency administration numbers listed below and in your local phone book.
When you dial 9-1-1, you will be asked whether you require Police, Fire or Ambulance services and your call will be transferred appropriately.
After the call is transferred, help the dispatcher help you:
- Remain calm. Give direct answers to all the questions asked. Speak slowly and clearly. You will be asked additional questions so the dispatcher can send the right type of help. All questions are important.
- What's the emergency?
- Where is the emergency? Give the complete address, including any building name or number, apartment or unit number and nearest cross street (With the enhanced 9-1-1 system, the street address of the number you are dialing from will be displayed to the call-taker. However, this information will not be available if you calling from a cellular phone or a four-party-line system).
- Who needs help? Age/number of people.
- Is anyone trapped? Has everyone made it safely out of the building (fire only)?
- Don't hang-up. Allow the dispatcher to release the call.
How you can help before emergency services arrive:
- Assure everyone that help is on the way.
- Keep the phone line clear after the 9-1-1 call has been made.
- Direct someone to wait out front to meet Emergency services and lead the way.
- Wave a flashlight or turn on flashers of a car or a porch light if it's dark or visibility is poor.
- Consider having an interpreter if the person or persons needing help does not speak English.
- Secure pets, especially dogs, in a separate area.
Have a visible address number, easily readable from the street. Remember to clear brush from around the number blade when necessary.
Calls to the former seven-digit emergency numbers, from cellular phone and telephones connected to a four-party-line system do not offer the enhanced features, such as your address being available to the call-taker.
Cellular phone signal can also drop the signal - disconnecting your call completely.
If you have the former seven-digit emergency numbers programmed into your telephone speed dial, please delete them. Do not program 9-1-1 into your telephone speed dial. Many false calls come from children and pets mistakenly hitting the pre-programmed button.
Emergency number: 9-1-1
City of Kingston and Townships of South Frontenac and Frontenac Islands
Non-Emergency Administrative numbers:
- Fire and Rescue Kingston - 548-4001
- Howe Island - 542-7398
- Wolfe Island - 385-2449
- South Frontenac - 376-3027, extension 234
Police
- Kingston Police - 549-4660
- Military Police, CFB Kingston - 541-5648
- Ontario Provincial Police - 1-888-310-1122 (Townships of South Frontenac and Frontenac Islands)
- 372-1932 (South Frontenac Local Detachment)
Non-emergency situations and inquires should be directed to the non-emergency administration numbers listed above and in your local phone book.
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Media contact information:
Cindie Ashton, Communications Officer, City of Kingston, 546-4291, ext. 3116 or Joe Davis, Senior Project Manager, City of Kingston, 546-4291, ext. 3125 or George Sutherland, Chair, 9-1-1 Committee and Countryside District Councillor, City of Kingston, 387-3957 or Gord Burns, CAO, Township of South Frontenac, 376-3027, ext. 225 or Terry O'Shea, CAO, Township of Frontenac Islands, 385-2216
