The Owen Sound Emergency Communications Centre Launches Next Generation 9-1-1

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November 26, 2025 

The Central Huron Fire Department, in partnership with the Owen Sound Police Service (OSPS), is pleased to announce the launch of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) at the Owen Sound Emergency Communications Centre (OSECC),

Today’s transition from the legacy 9-1-1 emergency phone network now provides a digital infrastructure for modern emergency telecommunications. While dialing 9-1-1 remains unchanged for callers, the underlying transformative technology provides faster, more reliable help when people need it most.

The upgrade’s enhanced features include:

  • More accurate caller location and phone number information
  • Enhanced cybersecurity, with added backup capabilities to ensure system reliability
  • Future ability to support real-time text messaging and other digital technologies

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has mandated that all service providers and Primary Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) must transition to the new NG9-1-1 network by March 2027.

When to Call 9-1-1:
911 is for police, fire, or medical emergencies when immediate action is required: someone’s health safety or property is in jeopardy or a crime is in progress.
Please use 9-1-1 responsibly – it is not an information line. 9-1-1 call-takers cannot provide information on the weather, power outages or phone numbers for other municipal services.

For more information visit the Owen Sound Police Media Release.

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