GNWT Celebrates Public Safety Telecommunicators Across the NWT

Press Release

April 14, 2025

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) proudly joins jurisdictions across Canada in recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, held this year from April 13 to 19, 2025. This annual celebration honours the skilled public safety professionals who are the first point of contact during emergencies and are an important link in protecting lives and property across the territory.

In 2023-2024, NWT 9-1-1 received over 17,200 calls, including emergency and non-emergency incidents ranging from wildfires, structure fires, and medical crises to vehicle collisions and search and rescue situations. Dedicated telecommunicators operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year answered each call with professionalism, empathy, and decisive action.

Beyond dispatching support, NWT 9-1-1 dispatchers provide real-time medical guidance and self-rescue instructions to callers. Since NWT 9-1-1 went live in November 2019, dispatchers assisted in nearly a dozen emergency childbirths and provided CPR instructions in over 40 incidents, offering critical support before responders arrived.

NWT 9-1-1 dispatchers also played an important role during the territory’s most challenging emergencies, including devastating floods, and the 2023 and 2024 wildfire seasons, which prompted widespread evacuations and community-level emergency responses. Throughout these events, the NWT 9-1-1 team coordinated with emergency managers monitored real-time developments and ensured uninterrupted 9-1-1 service so that critical information and resources reached communities in need.

The GNWT encourages all residents to take a moment this week to acknowledge the role these professionals play in supporting emergency response across the NWT.

Quote

“Public safety telecommunicators are the calm, steady voices on the other end of the line during emergencies, connecting residents with help, coordinating agencies, and supporting crews in the field. In challenging and often high-pressure situations, they provide steady guidance and reassurance. During the 2023 and 2024 wildfire seasons, as well as through flooding and other emergencies across the NWT, their dedication and expertise made a meaningful difference. We are grateful for all they do.”

Vince McKay – Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs

Quick Facts

In the 2023-2024 period, NWT 9-1-1 received over 17,200 calls.
NWT 9-1-1 dispatchers supported two emergency deliveries over the phone in 2024.
Telecommunicators were instrumental during the 2023 and 2024 wildfire evacuations, emergency responses and ensuring public safety.
9-1-1 dispatchers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to handle both emergency and non-emergency situations.
Operate from the centralized NWT 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Centre, providing consistent and reliable support to all 33 communities in the territory.
NWT 9-1-1 dispatchers support multiple emergency partners, including RCMP, ambulance services, fire departments, and local emergency management teams.
For non-urgent health advice, residents can call 811 to speak with a registered nurse, available 24/7.
NWT 9-1-1 dispatchers are trained to provide real-time guidance in critical situations—such as CPR instructions, bleeding control, and childbirth support.
NWT 9-1-1 dispatchers are bilingual in English and French and connect with interpretation support for over 200 other languages and dialects, including indigenous languages, ensuring accessibility for all residents and visitors.