Fire declines invitation to join new WRPS communication centre

Waterloo Regional Police are hoping to bring all dispatch services under one roof, but other emergency personnel don’t want to heed the call.

While the Waterloo Regional Police Service is hoping to bring several emergency dispatches services under one roof, some fire departments say they won’t heed the call.

The police service previously announced plans to build a new public safety communications centre on Maple Grove Road in Cambridge. The idea coincided with a move by many emergency services across the country to update their capabilities, keep up with emerging technologies and changing government requirements. A new system, called Next Generation 911, would allow emergency dispatchers to receive texts, photos and videos from callers. In 2017, all emergency service providers were ordered by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to upgrade their systems.

“This is emerging technology that will change that initial interaction with members of the public,” Waterloo Regional Police Chief Mark Crowell said during a Region of Waterloo council meeting on June 25. “The flood of digital evidence that will come at the source, and that single point of contact, is something that we will need to adapt to. We will be building a real-time operations centre and a major incident support centre, leading best practices globally and across North America within the centre to serve our community better.”

Police wanted to build the $173 million, three-storey communications facility by 2029.

Part of that plan included the participation of fire and paramedic services, with the goal of bringing all emergency dispatch providers under one roof.

However, according to the mayor of North Dumfries, all seven fire departments in the region declined the invitation.

“Just because the system we have now works,” Sue Foxton explained. “We spent a lot of time, effort and money in it, and it works really well for all levels.”

In 2019, the City of Kitchener took over fire dispatch for the entire region. It recently started implementing the Next Generation 911 Technology.

“I feel there’s no need to move in the near future because of the technology improvements we’ve made,” said Kitchener Fire Chief Robert Gilmore.

Dispatch, he added, currently works seamlessly across the different services and, to him, moving communications again doesn’t make sense.

“This decision wasn’t made in isolation in Kitchener. We consulted with all the area fire chiefs. Financially, and the timing of the move, just doesn’t make sense at the moment,” Gilmore said.

Meanwhile, Waterloo’s Fire Chief, Richard Hepditch said they are still discussing the proposal with police.

“Later this month, representation from Waterloo Fire Rescue will be attending a workshop hosted by the WRPS and a consultant. Our intention is to learn of and explore mid-to-long-term opportunities including operational and technological advancements as they pertain enhancing emergency services communication,” Hepditch wrote in an email to CTV News.

Despite the refusal from local fire departments, the police chief said the invitation would remain open.

“The continued offer to work with our partners, it is everlasting. Our hope is that we’ll continue to work together to consult, to share best practices, to think with strategic foresight on the way things are right now,” Crowell said at the council meeting.

As for paramedics, the Ministry of Health is responsible for all ambulance systems.

“The ministry remains open to and appreciates engagement with all partners and is engaging in dialogue with the Region of Waterloo Police and Paramedic Services for opportunities for collaboration,” the Ministry of Health said in an email to CTV News.