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9-1-1 SERVICE CONTINUES TO PERFORM WELL	2005-08-12
Ten weeks after implementation, 9-1-1 emergency calling service in the central and south Cariboo and the Chilcotin continues to function as planned with more than 715 calls taken in July. “9-1-1 has played a critical role in many recent emergency situations, including motor vehicle accidents and police response criminal activity,” said regional district chairman Ted Armstrong. “We’ve successfully made it through the challenging initial stages, including both the technical aspects and public awareness and now the goal is to maintain the system and continue to educate people on its proper use.” The most 9-1-1 calls within the south and central Cariboo in July were generated from the Williams Lake phone exchange which contributed 231 calls with 56 of those calls being abandoned, meaning people hung up after the call was made. In 100 Mile House, 95 calls were made in July with 16 abandoned. Other phone exchanges (and calls made) included in the 9-1-1 summary are Alexis Creek (38), 108 Mile (29), Bridge Lake (27), Wildwood (27), Likely (24), Lac La Hache (18), 150 Mile House (17), Nimpo Lake (17), Forest Grove (17), Horsefly (8), McLeese Lake (6), Puntzi Lake (7), Riske Creek (6), Tatla Lake (1), Alkali Lake (1) and enhanced cellular (146). 9-1-1 activity was slower in June with a total of 523 calls for the central and south Cariboo and the Chilcotin and 102 abandoned. “We still have a problem with people calling 9-1-1 either as a prank or to test the system and we’re asking the public to only use the system in a true emergency,” said Armstrong. “The RCMP will be dispatched to every 9-1-1 call including false ones and their resources must not be wasted.” If 9-1-1 is called by mistake, stay on the line and tell the operator what happened to avoid having responders attend the scene and tie up resources that could be needed in another location. Dial 9-1-1 for: medical emergencies including poison control, crimes in progress, uncontrolled fires, and vehicle accidents particularly if injuries are involved. Residents should ensure their house numbers are installed, visible and that all family members, including children, know the proper use of the 9-1-1 service
9-1-1 EMERGENCY CALLING ACTIVATION	2005-04-25
April 25, 2005 CARIBOO REGIONAL DISTRICT – Residents of the Central and South Cariboo and the Chilcotin will have 9-1-1 emergency calling service on May 18 announced Cariboo Regional District Chairman, Ted Armstrong. Final equipment installation and testing at local response centres was completed last week. “The 9-1-1 project has been a long and difficult process for us,” said Armstrong. I’m pleased to announce that this important public safety service will soon be activated.” Technical problems at the Fire Operations Communications Centre in Prince George, which delayed activating 9-1-1 in 2004, have been resolved. “One of the most important benefits of 9-1-1 is that it allows an easy method for children to call for help,” added Armstrong. “People must ensure that all family members know how and when to call 9-1-1 because it could make all the difference in saving a life.” Until the May 18 service activation, emergency responders can continue to be reached through current contact numbers. Only call 9-1-1 for the following emergency situations. An operator will direct your call to the correct response agency; RCMP, ambulance or fire department. Dial 9-1-1 for: • medical emergencies including poison control • crimes in progress • uncontrolled fires • vehicle accidents, particularly if injuries are involved Residents are requested to please refrain from calling 9-1-1 to see if the system is working. All calls must be responded to as if they were real emergencies and any time wasted on false calls will hamper efforts to respond to true emergencies. To raise public awareness of the 9-1-1 service, information will be distributed to elementary schools, public libraries, fire departments, and at Cariboo Regional District offices. Residents of the North Cariboo have had 9-1-1 service for approximately 10 years through a contract with the Regional District of Fraser Fort George. Fraser Fort George will also operate the new service for the Central and South Cariboo and the Chilcotin. For more information on 9-1-1 service, residents can contact the Cariboo Regional District at 1-800-665-1636 or view background materials on the website at www.cariboord.bc.ca.
Central/South Cariboo Regional District 9-1-1 Project Update	2005-02-01
FOCC Communications Inter Talk Console Technology Upgrade Two of the three InterTalk console positions have been in operation at the FOCC since mid-December 2004 arid have not experienced any major technical issues. The two consoles have performed consistently, reliably and safely. The final console position was installed on Tuesday, January 11th, 2005, The console system vendor, the Regional District's technical consultant, and maintenance contractor are currently on site as all parties work on this final installation. To date, there been no unexpected technical complications and the installation is proceeding as planned. The installation, and operational verification, of all three console positions is a major milestone in working toward the completion of the Central/South Cariboo Regional District 9-1-1 project. Radio Base Station Communications Equipment The remaining outside work at the fire halls, as well as the schedule for bringing the fire departments on line, will be determined in consultation with the Cariboo Regional District, once the final console position has been successfully installed. Protect Schedule All project stakeholders are now being contacted, as all parties must be coordinated in an effort to determine a new service commencement date that is suitable to all.
911 Update	2004-12-13
Radio Base Station Communications Equipment Outside work has been completed for half of the fire departments. To resolve some current communication issues, some departments are now using the new VHP antennas and cabling at their halls. The Fraser-Fort George Regional District is scheduling BK Two-Way Radio to complete the remaining fire halls. FOCC Communications InterTalk Console Technology Upgrade Two of the three InterTalk consoles have been installed and are in use at the FOCC. However, the installation of the second console position resulted in further additional technical difficulties and the Regional District has been working with Pantel International to resolve these matters. The Regional District cannot install the third and final position until the first two positions have been fully tested and are functioning reliably in a live public safety dispatch environment. Pantel International personnel and Regional District technical resources will be on site this week to address these matters. Fire Department Training A training seminar was held on Saturday, November 20 at the Lac la Hache Community Hall with nearly 100 participants attending. The seminar addressed the 9-1-1 telephone system and all aspects of the fire/rescue communications system. Project Schedule Upon successful completion and verification of the InterTalk console technology, the Fraser Fort George, Cariboo Regional Districts and all other project stakeholders will work together to determine the service implementation date.
TECHNICAL PROBLEMS CONTINUE TO DELAY 9-1-1 START-UP	2004-11-06
CARIBOO REGIONAL DISTRICT – The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) Board today was advised by the Regional District of Fraser Fort George (RDFFG) that it will not be possible to implement 9-1-1 emergency services in the South Cariboo, Central Cariboo and Chilcotin until after the new year. In a letter addressed to the CRD Board, RDFFG Chairman Colin Kinsley says, “Regrettably, technical deficiencies occurred after installation and the supplier is currently working on-site, to resolve the technical issues.” Three new InterTalk consoles were to be installed at the Fire Operations Communication Centre. One has been successfully installed while the second one has experienced technical deficiencies and is currently being tested. The third can’t be installed until the first and second consoles are fully verified, tested and functioning reliably in a live environment. In his letter to the CRD Board, Kinsley said, “In the interest of public safety, we need to have all technical issues completely resolved before an implementation date can be determined. The technical deficiencies associated with the InterTalk console installations continue to be resolved, however, we have determined that a 2004 implementation date will not be possible.” Over the past year, the Cariboo Regional District has been working diligently, in cooperation with Fraser Fort George, Telus, the Prince George Fire Operations Communications Centre and RCMP, to implement 9-1-1 emergency services. “The Cariboo Regional District has met all its obligations in terms of road and map indexing,” said CRD Chair Ted Armstrong. “We are extremely disappointed that yet again, there is another delay.” 9-1-1 was scheduled to be available for residents of the central and south Cariboo and the Chilcotin by December. Project managers at the Fraser-Fort George operations cannot confirm another date for the implementation, however, they are hopeful it will be very early in the new year. “It’s disappointing for everyone, since this is the third delay we’ve experienced. At no point in this process has the Cariboo Regional District been the cause of delay. We would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while we work towards the implementation of this vital service,” said Armstrong. The Cariboo Regional District is making it a priority to resolve this issue quickly and will meet with RDFFG Monday to discuss its concerns over the delays and to determine a course of action to make 9-1-1 a reality as soon as possible.