“Each year, our 911 Call Answer-Transfer Service deals with more than 33,000 calls – a clear demonstration of the importance of the 911 service to Islanders,” said Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, Elmer MacFadyen. “Government has demonstrated its commitment to public safety by implementing the 911 system, and this next step will ensure the system is maintained and well positioned to meet the changing and future needs of public safety in PEI.”

The province is responsible for all costs associated with daily administration and operation of the E9-1-1 service which includes processing calls, Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) equipment, training, public education and civic addressing information maintenance.

The provincial fee recognizes that technology is continually changing and new communication tools require that the E9-1-1 system adapts to these changes.

The civic address system is the backbone of the E9-1-1 service, and the cost recovery fee will also assist in ensuring effective maintenance and quality control of the information in this system.

Other important features of the E9-1-1 service, to be supported by this cost recovery fee, include: automatic number identification, automatic location identification for wireline phones, and TDD /TTY (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf/Teletypewriter) technology.

“This change is being introduced to maintain the excellent 911 service which Islanders have come to count on while ensuring that we are ready and able to meet the demands of new technologies,” said Minister MacFadyen.

More information is available by calling 902-894-0385 or by visiting the 911 Web site http://www.gov.pe.ca/911/index.php3.