**** HRP Media Release

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

Halifax Regional Police is honoring the public safety telecommunicators employed in our Integrated Emergency Services (IES) dispatch centre during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 11-17.

These dedicated employees truly put the first in ‘first responder’; they are a voice of calm at the other end of the line for citizens in times of crisis and offer critical support to emergency personnel.

Calling 911 might be the most important call you ever make. When you’re facing an emergency situation, hearing the calm, professional voice on the other end of the phone ask “911. What is your emergency?” is reassurance that help will soon be on its way.

You can help 911 operators be available to answer your call in your time of need by:

Only calling 911 if someone’s health, safety, or property is in jeopardy or if a crime is in progress.
Not hanging up If you call 911 accidentally. Stay on the line and let the operator know you have misdialed.
Not programming 911 into your phone, this is illegal in Nova Scotia.
Locking and storing your cell phone carefully to prevent 911 “pocket dials.”
Using non-emergency phone numbers for police when the situation is not an emergency:
- Non-emergency circumstances that require a police presence: 902.490.5020 or 902-490-7252 (TTY)
- Non-emergency incident reporting or general inquiries: 902.490.5016 for.
- More information on reporting crime is available at http://bit.ly/39VKM9Z