Saskatoon fire chief says it's time for 911 dispatch system that can accept emergency texts, photos
The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) wants to make a major upgrade to its 911 call centre.
On the second day of city council's deliberations for the 2022/23 multi-year budget, Saskatoon fire chief Morgan Hackl said the department is looking at replacing its 10-year-old dispatch system for “next-gen 911.”
Next-gen 911 makes it possible for callers to send texts, images or videos to dispatchers.
Hackl said the new system would make it easier for crews to locate the caller and lead to more informed emergency responses.
“Our dispatch centre handled approximately 94,000 calls for service in this year of 2021,” Hackl told city councillors during the budget meeting.
Hackle said about 80 per cent of calls originate from cell phones.
Installing next-gen 911 would require $1.2 million over the next two years, according to the city’s proposed multi-year budget.
The project is considered “unfunded.” The SFD is hoping to tap into the city's reserve fund for capital expenditures.
The other unfunded project would restructure how the department serves the city’s west end.
For the West End Service Model Restructure project, SFD says it needs $1.6 million in 2023 to purchase land.
While the department awaits reserve funding for those projects, its general budget was unanimously passed at city hall.
In the proposed budget prepared by city administration, it was suggested SFD receive $55.7 million next year and $57.2 million in 2023. The recommended amounts were approved by all city councillors.
Hackl said the money will include the cost of staffing, training, new fire trucks and uniforms.
Data presented at the budget meeting shows fire crews are taking longer to respond to emergencies.
SFD aims to respond to calls within six minutes and 20 seconds, 90 per cent of the time.
In 2018, crews hit the target 80 per cent of the time.
But in 2020, 74 per cent of the time crews hit their target response time.
“Increase of workload is impacting this benchmark. Over five years, SFD has seen over a 40 per cent increase in call volume,” Hackl said during the meeting, adding that new growth of the city is adding to the workload.
Budget talks are scheduled to continue on Wednesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.