9-1-1 Changes Start Tomorrow
Prince George, B.C. – 9-1-1 call service will be transferred to E-Comm beginning tomorrow.
The change effects how 9-1-1 calls are answered in the Regional Districts of Fraser Fort George, Cariboo, Bulkley-Nechako and Kitimat-Stikine.
Right now, when a 9-1-1 call is made from any of these Regional Districts, the calls go directly to the Operational Communications Centre (OCC) of the North District RCMP.
The operator then transfers the call to the appropriate emergency response agency, whether it be police, fire, or ambulance.
But starting tomorrow, that will change when all 9-1-1 calls will be answered by E-Comm out of Vancouver, and then transferred to the appropriate emergency response agency.
Earlier this year General Manager of Community Services for the Regional District of Fraser Fort George Donna Munt said E-Comm has a proven track record in handling calls.
“98% of the calls are answered in 5 seconds or less, which is above the standard of 90% of the calls being answered within 10 seconds, so we have great confidence in the reaction time to their calls.”
The big advantage for the switch, is the amount of money that will be saved. Under the new model, 9-1-1 call answer services will be significantly reduced from approximately $730,000 per year to about $365,000 per year.
“Public safety remains to be the RCMP’s top priority and this change in service provider will not at all compromise the safety of the residents in the Fraser Fort-George area,” says Inspector Rick Greenwood, BC RCMP Operational Communications Centre Program Management.
“The community can be assured that the level of service that our Operational Communications Centre employees in providing police dispatching, complaint taking and status keeping will be maintained at the highest level that the community expects” he adds.
Comments
O goodie we get to put our lives in the hands of lower mainlanders hopefully they know that there is a land beyond Hope called British columbia
I have to wonder how they achieve the cost savings? I would assume that the payroll costs are roughly the same. The RCMP employees in Prince George vs the RCMP employees in Vancouver are going to be almost identical. The phone lines are likely the same, if they weren’t one would have to wonder why PG wouldn’t have just upgraded the lines. So again, where is the savings coming from?
It’s probably a case of “under a Provincial” model we will save money……..sounds like corporate spin to me.
I bet someone forgot to add some costs and they just went with it.
Then their’s the answer a call in 5 seconds comment….. if they can do the same job for half the price, yet they can answer the phone in half the time……did anybody ask how they are able to do it? Nope, just assume the stats are right.
I for one doubt the service level will be much better. I would be willing to bet it will be worse. But once it’s moved, will they ever consider moving it back up here if the service level suffers…..NOPE.
Say goodbye to Northern jobs yet again. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to have a call centre of this type in Vancouver…..most expensive cost of living in the Country. Bet nobody factors that in when they project the costs savings…….
Nobs. Just because they want to try to do it differently after evaluation doesn’t mean it’s bad. If it was in Van originally and moved to PG you would blame city council somehow and potholes.
My guess is that they can answer the calls from North Central BC without adding on any (or very little) additional staff in Vancouver. This is where the savings would come from.
In any event I don’t agree with the concept. We should have our own services here in the North> It reminds me of the great service provided by business in this area. You pay good money for the product, and they give you a 1 800 number that gets you a service representative in India, or Africa, or Bathhurst NB. You spend most of you time fumbling through the phone system trying to get a body to answer.
Meanwhile the business people who sold you the product and made a huge profit, are sitting on their collective asses in the Bahama’s or Mexico, or Florida, sipping a cold brew, and convincing themselves that they are movers and shakers.
Canadians deserve better, and its time for the 2 bit corporations to provide us with exemplary service, rather than 1 800 numbers. Are we trying to build a nation or are we only concerned with the all mighty dollar.
This is the Liberal way of doing things in this province. Outsource jobs, privatize and bring in more TFWs.
Oh No ! You mean calling 911 now will be like trying to understand somebody at Telus ?
outsourced call center …
Dial 911
‘My name is Inderjeet, Pleased to be of assistance how may i be of help to you today’
For Microsoft support, press 1
For Phone support press 2
For 911 help press 3
Just three or four days ago there was an add in the Citizen for dispatchers… is this not the same job?
err… an ad, not add
Same job. They go through an intense screening process and extensive training program before being able to take calls.
I get that, but why are they posting ad in PG if the positions are located in Greater Vancouver as of today?
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