The Niagara Regional Police Service is moving to a new digital emergency system on March 4, 2026, to help first responders find people in Grimsby, Ontario, more quickly. This update replaces old technology with a modern network that provides dispatchers with much more accurate information about where a caller is located.
The new system includes a feature that automatically calls back if a 9-1-1 call is dropped. This ensures emergency operators can quickly check on people without having to manually redial the number. While residents will still call 9-1-1 the same way they always have, the backend upgrades allow for much faster and more reliable communication between callers and help.
The provincial government provided more than $7.7 million to help local emergency services, including the NRPS 8 District in Grimsby, make this transition. Other local partners, such as the St. Catharines Fire Services and Niagara Parks Police, are also moving to the new system. The project uses technology and software provided by Bell and Motorola Solutions.
This change follows a requirement from the CRTC for all emergency networks to move to digital systems by March 4, 2026. In the future, this new technology will eventually allow residents to send photos, videos, and real-time text messages directly to emergency dispatchers to help them understand what is happening at the scene of an accident or crime.
