Vancouver–Residents from Furry Creek to Pemberton can now say ‘so-long’ to ten-digit dialling for emergency response since implementation of 9-1-1 service has been completed by the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD), TELUS and E-Comm
9-1-1.
“Partnering with the SLRD to introduce this lifeline to the communities of Furry Creek, Britannia Beach, Pemberton, Mt. Currie, Xit’olacw, Birken, D’Arcy and N’Quatqua is an honour,” says Doug Watson, vice-president of E-Comm Operations. “Having the SLRD-South join us means that E-Comm will be the service provider for 500 kilometres of response area in the Sea-to-Sky corridor, offering emergency services and enhanced communication capabilities for residents and local responders.”
Along with a just handful of municipalities and regional districts in British Columbia, the SLRD had previously not been fully covered by 9-1-1 service; in some areas it had not been available at all and in some cases by cell phone only.
“This is big news for the residents in the southern half of the Squamish Lillooet Regional District who still used a 10-digit number from their landlines to access emergency services, “ says Susan Gimse, SLRD Board Chair. “We’re excited to be partnering with E-Comm to deliver this essential service to thousands of residents and businesses that didn’t have it before.”
On January 18, 2011, E-Comm began dispatching for local fire departments in Britannia Beach, Pemberton and Birken, and the surrounding communities serviced by these departments. E-Comm already provides fire and police dispatching services for the municipalities of Whistler and Squamish and more than 20 other departments throughout Southwest B.C.
E-Comm answers more than one million 9-1-1 calls each year for Metro Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast, Whistler and Squamish. For tips on using 9-1-1 and more information about E-Comm, visit www.ecomm911.ca
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For more information, contact:
Amanda Brkich
604-215-4813