Wheatland supports 911 Centre

Times Contributor 

 

Wheatland County council unanimously approved support for the local 911 Centre, until Dec. 31, 2013. Alberta Health Services (AHS) has supplied funding to the service until that date. The issue will be revisited in the 2014 budget, at which time the County may decide to charge ratepayers $12 per year to cover the service, or funds may be awarded through the 911 Emergency Act.

In May, the Alberta Government passed the third reading of Bill 15-Emergency 911 Act.

“The 911 call centres are facing challenges that frankly they have never had to face before. The government plans to introduce changes to 911 that will give call centres the resources they need,” said Minister Dave Griffiths.

This legislation includes a monthly 911 levy on cellphones, the creation of standards for 911 call taking, legal protection for 911 call centre staff, fines for frivolous 911 calls and support for ‘next generation’ technology. The levy is 44 cents, similar to fees charged on landlines, which was implemented 12 years ago. The money was going to the cell providers but will be diverted to supporting 911 call services. It will be charged on any active wireless cell phone, starting after legislation comes into force. 

A May 9th article in the Red Deer Advocate indicated the fee will be collected and divided. Seven cents of the fee goes to the telecommunications provider, a portion to the province and the remainder going to call centres, with a base amount given to every 911 call centre and the remainder will be distributed based on population. A frivolous 911 call is defined as one made to waste time or abuse the service. First offenders will face fines of $5,000 and repeat offenders will pay $10,000. Accidental pocket dials are not fined.

The province is looking to develop province-wide standards, processes and procedures for 911 call taking, to ensure consistent service delivery across the province. Issues like better legal protection for 911 operators will help them maintain their focus on serving Albertans. Technology is always improving and 911 services will be updated to include text functions for the impaired and GPS location for better patient location. The Lieutenant Governor and the Minister have the ability to alter the structure and it will be clearly defined after Royal Ascent is given.

Stakeholders are being asked for input at meetings held throughout the province this month. A Calgary Region Town Hall meeting, with Guy Weadick attendance, will be held at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Centre-Calgary Airport Thursday May 30, 2013, 9 a.m.– 10:30 a.m. at 2120 – 16th Avenue NE. See www.aamdc.com/advocacy/member-bulletins.