NEW WESTMINSTER – New Democrat MLAs say that emergency responders in New Westminster will be better equipped to provide services to people, thanks to new funding for improved 911 communication systems.

“We’re making sure New Westminster is ready for the next generation of emergency response,” said Jennifer Whiteside, MLA for New Westminster-Coquitlam. “This funding will bring us closer to a more sophisticated 911 system, keeping people safe.”

New Westminster received $100,000 for mobile computer-aided dispatch systems, project management, and public education.

These upgrades and improvements will also help communities to prepare for the future implementation of Next Generation 911. This service will make the 911 system more accessible and allow callers to provide dispatchers with additional details about their emergency, including photos and videos.

“As technology keeps improving, it is essential we fund upgrades to our emergency systems,” says Raj Chouhan, MLA for Burnaby-New Westminster. “This transition to NG911 ensures our community has the modern tools and infrastructure to keep people safe.”

This funding is part of a total investment of $150 million to help B.C. prepare for the transition to Next Generation 911. E-Comm, which handles 99% of B.C.’s 911 call volume, received $90 million for technological upgrades. The remaining $60 million was distributed to communities through the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) to defray costs, such as staffing, training and quality assurance.

Learn More: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023PSSG0012-000245