The region is getting $2.6 million from the province to complete the transition to next generation 911 dispatch technology by early next year.
It's about $400,000 less than Waterloo regional police had asked for to support hiring two staff dedicated to the transition, computer hardware and software upgrades, computer aided dispatch software and network assessment.
Police say any funds not approved in this round will not proceed or will be requested through the next budget process.
Once fully implemented, the new system will make it easier for police, paramedics and firefighters to provide additional details about emergency situations from the scene, including video of an accident, patient health data and the ability of the public to text 911 when requesting immediate help from police, fire or ambulance services.
It will also give emergency operators and dispatchers the ability to identify the location of a call using Global Positioning System coordinate, resulting in a safer, faster and more informed emergency response.
The province is investing $208 million over three years to enhance the province’s 911 emergency response system.
Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) applied for funding over each of the last two years and was successful in getting a $1.8 million grant in the first round of funding.
WRPS has already spent $500,000 of that money on upgrades.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has mandated that emergency telecommunications networks and 911 call centres transition to the NG 911 system by March 4, 2025.
