City of Peterborough Transitions to Next Generation 9-1-1
/With support from the Government of Ontario, the City of Peterborough has transitioned to the Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) network, providing emergency dispatchers, Peterborough Fire Services and Peterborough Police with better and faster access to information during an emergency.
Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.
“This support ensures our emergency responders have access to the advanced tools and technology they need to act quickly and effectively in an emergency,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “I would like to thank the Province of Ontario for this critical investment in public safety. Investments like this help protect lives, strengthen our emergency response capabilities, and build safer communities for everyone.”
The Ontario government has provided over $5 million since 2022 to support the City’s transition to NG9-1-1. It is a multi-stage upgrade to the traditional 9-1-1 network, replacing older infrastructure with a digital, Internet Protocol (IP)- based network. The technology is similar to what is available on most smartphones.
“Having reliable access to critical information, like the exact location of a caller and a verified callback number, can make all the difference when seconds count,” said Chief Chris Snetsinger, Peterborough Fire Services. “These enhanced capabilities help our first responders arrive faster, communicate more effectively and ultimately save lives.”
“Ensuring safety for everyone in our community is our main goal as a police service. Being able to deploy first responders at the right time, with the right information to do the right thing, is what we strive for every shift,” Chief Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Service. “NG9-1-1 will help us accomplish this goal with even more accuracy. Having more data available to first responders in an emergency only makes for a safer community for all who live, work and visit our area.”
The upgrade gives dispatchers faster and more accurate information about a 9-1-1 caller’s location and phone number.
The upgrade's enhanced features also include:
Stronger security, with enhanced cybersecurity measures to reduce the risk of downtime.
Greater network reliability, with added backup capabilities for seamless recovery.
Future-ready multimedia features enabling real-time text and live emergency video calls.