On September 9, 2026 Fraser-Fort George 9-1-1 successfully migrated regional Fire Dispatch services to the new Next Generation 9-1-1 Emergency Services IP network.
Next Generation 9-1-1 is a modernization initiative led by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission that moves emergency communications away from traditional analog systems as technology continues to evolve.
Residents calling 9-1-1 are not expected to notice any difference with this transition. The move to Next Generation 9-1-1 has been underway for years and involved extensive research, testing and contingency planning to ensure emergency calls reach dispatchers without interruption.
“This significant transformation required intense teamwork and an unwavering commitment to public safety," says Melanie Perrin, Senior Manager of Public Safety Services for the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George. "I am extremely proud of the Public Safety team, including our 9-1-1 Radio System professionals and the Prince George Fire Operations Communications Centre staff, for their expertise and tireless efforts on this project.”
The Emergency Services IP network is the secure, internet-based, digital network that enables the future work and enhancements associated with Next Generation 9-1-1. This initial transition to the new Next Generation 9-1-1 network is the first step to full Next Generation 9-1-1 implementation. In the future, Next Generation 9-1-1 will have improved location accuracy for more precise details when dispatching emergency responders, supporting a faster response and providing additional forms of emergency communications such as real time text and potentially, video calls.
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George provides 9-1-1/Fire Dispatch services to:
Regional District of Fraser-Fort George
Cariboo Regional District
Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako
Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine (excluding Electoral Areas A, D and F)
Regional District of Central Kootenay
City of Nelson
For most locations in BC, when a 9-1-1 call is made, it is first answered by Emergency Communications for BC Inc. (E-Comm). E-Comm determines the nature of the emergency and transfers the call to police, fire or ambulance dispatch centres as required. Calls for police services are dispatched by the RCMP, or the local police jurisdiction, calls for fire/rescue services are dispatched by the Regional District’s Fire Operations Communications Centre in Prince George, and calls for ambulance services are dispatched by the BC Ambulance Service in Kamloops, Vancouver and Victoria.
TechToday 