Ottawa residents can now connect with 9-1-1 services in another city when someone needs assistance in a life-threatening situation outside of Ottawa.
This new service spans 9-1-1 services across North America and was implemented from a suggestion made by local resident Michael Wood at the City’s Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee.
Ottawa residents requesting an emergency service, such as a wellness check for someone living in another city, can now dial 9-1-1 and request to be connected to 9-1-1 services in that city. Residents will no longer need to search for the local non-emergency phone number for another city. With a direct call transfer between 9-1-1 services, time will be saved in emergency and life-threatening situations.
The use of this new inter-city 9-1-1 is for emergency situations requiring immediate assistance when lives are at stake or when there is a threat to public safety.