Every year, we join our safety partners around the globe in dedicating the second week of April to the telecommunications personnel in the public safety community. We take the time to express our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated individuals who ensure the safety and well-being of our residents. It is a week set aside so everyone can be aware of their hard work and bring greater awareness of the organization’s 9-1-1 best practices and advancements.
Throughout the week of April 14-20, 2024, Peel Regional Police will feature team members from our Communications Services that keep our communities safe every day. Get to know the people who are your first point of contact during an emergency and the heroes behind the headsets.
“The work of our telecommunications experts is truly the backbone of what we do. We have the utmost respect and gratitude for their pivotal role, especially given the emotional and mental intensity of the job. They are often the first line of defense when an emergency occurs, and although their faces are rarely seen, their voices are always heard.” said Chief Nishan Duraiappah.
This year’s National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is significant as PRP incorporates the new NG911 systems to improve 9-1-1 response times. In 2023, PRP received over 800k calls to 9-1-1, 300k of which were deemed to be misused. The new system better mitigates 9-1-1 misuse, including pocket dials and hang-ups, and allows more time for live call takers to respond to real-time 9-1-1 calls, reducing wait time in emergencies.
“Our PRP telecommunicators are the lifeline between Peel residents and emergency responders. That is why NG911 was such a vital advancement for the entire service. Our uniform officers could not respond to emergencies without our telecommunicators being able to connect with our residents when they need it the most.” said Anthony Odoardi, Deputy Chief of Innovation and Technology.
We are engaging in an education campaign to continue to teach effective practices on the use of 9-1-1 and our non-emergency line, such as:
• When to call 9-1-1
• How to avoid accidental 9-1-1 calls
• What to do if you call 9-1-1 by mistake (Please don’t hang up)
• Mental Health supports in Peel (Toll-free 1-888-811-222)
• Amber Alert education and more
Learn more about 9-1-1 emergencies by visiting PeelPolice.ca/911 .
