The City of Hamilton, in collaboration with the Hamilton Fire Department and Hamilton Police Service, has transitioned to the Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1-) network. The move allows 9-1-1 dispatchers to take advantage of the kinds of technologies that are available on most cell phones.
NG9-1-1 will enable first responders to gain faster access to reliable data, making it easier for Emergency Operators to determine the caller’s location and phone number in an emergency. Future multimedia features will include the ability to text 9-1-1 and even send pictures and video.
Hamilton joins 10 other Ontario cities to transition to NG9-1-1. The CRTC directed all telecommunications providers to update their networks for NG9-1-1 voice services by March 31, 2027.”The successful deployment of the first stage of Next Generation 9-1-1 technology, which includes an integrated call handling system, positions the Hamilton Fire Department to be able to gather valuable additional incident information that can be disseminated directly to front line responders for their use,” said Fire Chief David Cunliffe.
Said Hamilton Police Chief Frank Bergen. “This upgrade empowers Hamilton Police Service with real-time data, improves location accuracy, and opens new channels for those in crisis to reach help when they need it most. NG9-1-1 is not just an improvement—it’s a commitment to a safer community for all.”
The Ontario government has provided over $10.5 million since 2022 to support the Hamilton Police Service and Hamilton Fire Department’s transition to NG9-1-1.
In this stage of the rollout, residents will not experience any impact. There is no disruption to the delivery of 9-1-1 services during the transition.
The Province has invested $208 million over three years to support municipalities and Public Safety Answering Points with the cost of transitioning to NG9-1-1.