Residents of Norfolk County are now benefiting from Next Generation 911 (NG911), a major upgrade to emergency communications technology.
The new system was launched through St. Catharines Fire Services, which provides fire dispatch services for 36 municipalities across Ontario, including Norfolk County.
The transition to NG911 was supported by more than $4 million in funding from the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General.
While residents will still dial 911 in an emergency, the upgraded system improves how emergency calls are handled behind the scenes. It allows operators to receive more accurate information about a caller’s location and phone number, helping responders react more quickly.
The system also improves reliability, cyber security, and backup capabilities in case of system failures.
Future upgrades may include Real-Time Text messaging and live emergency video calls.
Officials say the modernization strengthens emergency response and public safety for Norfolk residents.