The city of Grande Prairie, Alberta, has established a new centralized Public Safety Communications Centre to handle emergency dispatch services for fire, mobile outreach, enforcement, and soon, police calls. This move is expected to save the city approximately $3 million annually. Mayor Jackie Clayton emphasized that consolidating these services will enhance coordination, prevent duplication of work, and strengthen the connection between local fire and police departments. The decision to integrate these services was also influenced by the strategic downtown location of the city-owned building, which was previously used as municipal office space.
With the Grande Prairie Police Service taking over police dispatch responsibilities from the RCMP, local knowledge and a more personalized response to emergency calls are anticipated. The transition to Next Generation 911 technology in July has facilitated a seamless shift to digital operations, improving the efficiency of call intake and response. Director Jamie Hannaford highlighted the technological advancements at the center, including plans to incorporate text messaging and multimedia capabilities in the future.
As the transition progresses, the center will be staffed with eight to ten personnel operating 11 dispatching panels. Serving a vast coverage area encompassing northern Alberta and parts of British Columbia, the center handles approximately 97,000 calls annually for about 60 fire departments. The implementation of the new dispatch center is expected to offer a more efficient and localized approach to emergency services, aiming to deliver the best customer experience during critical situations.