A South Island Dispatch Centre located in a new shared state-of-the-art post-disaster facility is set to operate as the ‘first point’ of contact for 9-1-1 callers, by early 2019.
The centre will house police call-taking and dispatch for the Victoria, Saanich, Central Saanich and Oak Bay police departments, as well as local RCMP detachments.
The Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Morris, said he expects the consolidated centre to improve co-ordination between police agencies, so they can better respond to large emergencies that cross municipal boundaries.
Saanich Police Chief Bob Downie, noted that this new model has the support of all local law enforcement.
The CRD-owned facility will be located at 4219 Commerce Circle in Saanich.
To date, the Province has contributed $100,000 to support this project and the consolidation of 9-1-1 services on Vancouver Island.
