To improve firefighters’ safety and upgrade St Catharine’s 911 system, The St. Catharines Fire Services will be awarded about $50,000.
The St. Catharines Fire Services will receive just under $50,000 this January as part of the historic three-year $30 million program announced in the 2024 Budget to prioritize firefighter health and safety.
Deputy Fire Chief Andrea DeJong explains that this funding will give them “the tools to help reduce our firefighters’ exposure to the harmful long-term effects of fire-related contaminants and chemicals.”
Firefighters face exposure to hazardous gases and chemicals that greatly increase their risk of cancer. Cancer kills firefighters at a rate up to four times higher than the general population. Every year, 50 to 60 Canadian firefighters die of cancer, half of them being from Ontario.
This funding will allow St. Catharines Fire Services to buy new gear and specialized washing and drying equipment that will help decontaminate their gear to reduce the long-term effects of fire-related contaminants.
The Fire Services has also partnered with the Niagara Regional Police and Niagara Parks Police to upgrade to a new and improved 911 system, called Next Generation 911 (NG911). The new emergency call-handling solution technology is now required by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The first phase of NG911 will allow communicators to receive and respond to texts and future phases will allow photos and videos to be shared, and the second phase will have an upgraded GIS mapping system to allow for enhanced location specifics. Constable Tyler Bell-Morena started the 911 awareness campaign in early 2024. Mississauga has noted a drastic decline in 911 wait times since NG911 launched last February. The wait time for 911 dispatch was 85 seconds in March of 2023, and dropped down to 11 seconds in October 2024.
Bell-Morena noted the substantial decrease in wait times, saying “it’s a huge win for our organization and the way we’re able to deliver emergency services.” The goal for Bell-Morena is zero wait time.
NG911 sends automated callbacks, allowing call communicators more time to answer and screen 911 calls.
Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah describes the call-takers as “the first of the first responders,” adding that they do “remarkable” work.
Besides sending aid and helping the caller to calm down and deal with first steps like immediate first-aid or removing themselves from danger, 911 communicators are crucial to the safety of first responders. When dispatch takes place, communicators conduct address checks and look for previous occurrences and any weapons registered to the address that could prove to be vital information. Even when doing something as seemingly trivial as traffic stops, the communicators work to run license plates, ensuring criminals are caught and police officers are being safe.
It should be noted that 911 is for emergencies only, in which a crime or fire is taking place or immediate medical attention is needed. For non-emergencies such as reporting a crime or checking up on an investigation, you can call Niagara Regional Police at (905) 688-4111.