Calgary transitions to new 9-1-1 system years ahead of schedule

The City of Calgary has decided to get an early start on the transition to a more modern 9-1-1 system.

The city says it successfully transitioned to Next Generation 9-1-1 on Oct. 30, way ahead of the federally-mandated March 2027 deadline.

NG9-1-1 replaces the legacy system with a more resilient Internet Protocol (IP)-based network that is able to transmit both voice and data, it explains.

Additionally, this upgrade paves the way for new 9-1-1 services in the future such as real-time text messaging and other advanced tools that will provide quicker and more accessible communication for Canadians and responders during emergencies.

These enhancements don’t change the way Calgarians access emergency services; residents should still call 9-1-1 in an emergency for a police, fire, or ambulance response.

“We are proud to be taking this important step forward in modernizing Calgary’s emergency communications system and preparing for the future of 9-1-1 in Canada”, said Dan Heyde, deputy chief of operations, Calgary 9-1-1. “When the new features become available, our technology and our team will be ready.”

Other improvements thanks to the new systems include enhanced cybersecurity, increased network resilience, and expanded backup capabilities.

Once all transitions to the new systems are made in 2027, further details about the timeline for the rollout of new services and tools are expected.

Calgary 9-1-1 answers more than one million calls each years, making it one of the largest centres in western Canada.