9-1-1 is only to be used in emergency situations
An emergency situation includes things such as life-threatening events or crimes in progress.
Medical Distress
You are in medical distress and need help right away(chest pain, serious, bleeding, or trouble breathing).
Crime in Progress
There is a crime in progress (someone is breaking into your house, or you see someone with a gun).
Active Fire
Your house, building, or other structure is on fire.
Car Accident with Serious Injury
A collision where there is a fatality or serious injury.
For collisions that are not emergencies visit a Collision Reporting Centre.
If it’s not an emergency, what number do you call?
For police non-emergencies in the City of Edmonton call the Edmonton Police Service non-emergency line at 780-423-4567 or #377 from your mobile phone. For emergencies outside the City of Edmonton call your local police agency.
To report a hate-motivated incident, a sexual assault, or other crimes that include break and enters, damage to property, damage to vehicle, lost property, theft from a vehicle under $5,000 or theft under $5,000 you can report a crime online here.
For car accidents that are not emergencies in the Edmonton area visit a Collision Reporting Centre.
Inside the City of Edmonton
For Alberta
24/7 Suicide Crisis Helpline
3-1-1
Municipal government information and services, and provides residents, businesses, and visitors with a central point of contact for their City needs (transit, property assessments, parking complaints, noise complaints, recreation centres, litter on public property, ect.)
8-1-1
Health Link. If you need health advice or information, call Health Link 24/7 by dialing 8-1-1 within Alberta or visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca.
To be connected to programs, services, and resources in the community.
What should you do if you or someone in your household calls 9-1-1 by mistake?
Stay on the line
Stay on the line and tell the Emergency Communications Officer you made a mistake. If you hang up, we will have to call you back and this takes time away from other emergencies. If you do hang up, answer the call back right away as we need to ensure there isn’t an emergency.
How to prevent accidental 9-1-1 calls
Review the settings on your mobile phone to choose your emergency alert and to lock it appropriately, based on your needs.
Do not let children play with active or old phones. Even if your old phone is registered with no SIM card or cellphone plan it can still call 9-1-1.
Store your phone properly, if the side button is pressed five times, it could initiate 9-1-1.
Do not program 9-1-1 into your phone.
Do not call 9-1-1 to see if it’s working.
In Edmonton, how does the 9-1-1 system work?
In Edmonton, the Edmonton Police Service Emergency Communications and Operations Management Branch (ECOMB) is the primary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for the City of Edmonton.
Emergency Communications Officers (ECO’s) handle approximately 2,000 calls per day from the public, which includes both 9-1-1 emergency calls for Police, Fire & EMS (Emergency Medical Services) and non-emergency calls.
ECOMB is responsible for critical services that provide and support public and officer safety:
-
Answering 9-1-1 calls for assistance, and transfer as required to appropriate emergency service (Police, Fire, and Ambulance).
-
Evaluating emergency and non-emergency calls for police assistance.
-
Dispatching appropriate police resources when required.
ECO’s have excellent active listening, conflict resolution and multi-tasking skills. They possess critical thinking abilities to be able to react calmly and effectively to emergency services.
ECO’s are the critical link between members and of the community and the public safety services they require, including other emergency response agencies.
What happens when you call 9-1-1?
When calling 9-1-1 or the police non-emergency phone number, please be prepared to provide the following details:
-
Address where the incident is taking place
-
Phone number that you are calling from
-
Your name
-
Exactly what is happening
-
Your location
-
When the incident occurred
-
Additional specific details
Once Emergency Communications Officers determine what service you require (ambulance, fire, or police) they will transfer your call to the appropriate service where you will need to explain the nature of your emergency with additional details.
ECOMB is responsible for critical services that provide and support public and officer safety:
-
Answering 9-1-1 calls for assistance, and transfer as required to appropriate emergency service (Police, Fire, and Ambulance).
-
Evaluating emergency and non-emergency calls for police assistance.
-
Dispatching appropriate police resources when required.
Emergency Communications Careers in Edmonton
The Emergency Communication Officer role is considered a first responder and is a crucial role in the safety of Edmonton. If you are you interested in a career as an ECO visit the Emergency Communications Management Branch webpage to learn more.
Related Links
