People might be familiar with 911 in the NWT, but they probably don't know where the action happens SA国际影视传媒� and it's likely to stay that way.
SA国际影视传媒 was invited to take a tour of the GNWT's Emergency Communications Centre on Oct. 23, but the media was told not to disclose 911's headquarters, nor were photos of operations permitted. The purpose of the secrecy is to protect staff from threats or attacks.
As far as manager Hannah Delaney knows, it's probably the first time media has ever been shown around the facility.
The territory will have had 911 for five years come November. Delaney, who's been in charge since March 2023, said that even though the milestone is only weeks away, things remain a work in progress.
"Still figuring things out, our communications with the communities," she said.
Over the last fiscal year, Delaney said 911 in the NWT received more than 17,000 calls, an average of around 50 per day, most of which came from Yellowknife, she added.
But no matter the figures, there's often just two dispatchers working at a time. Delaney said it's been like that since 911 came to the territory.
There is no promise of hiring more dispatchers, she added, but there is a job opening for an extra.
"We ran a competition," Delaney explained. "We didn't have anyone qualified, so we're trying to determine what steps to take next, but we do have a position available."
Dispatchers work in a relatively cozy room. It's dark with carpeted floors and Lego helicopters and airplanes dangling from the ceiling. Delaney explained that dispatchers can go hours without a call, to all of the sudden having their hands full.
Of the total number of calls to 911 last fiscal year, almost a third of them were non-emergency calls, said Delaney.
"They would have been pocket dials, calls where maybe someone thought somebody needed an ambulance and was like, 'Oh, never mind, they don't actually need it."
Among emergency calls, the most common one is for , she explained.
"When we do get calls for , we transfer them directly to the dispatchers here. We don't question callers who are looking for police because manages that on their own for the whole territory."
Dispatchers, who work under the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA), also have roommates, as Delaney puts it. Workers from Health and Social Services sit in the same room, with an imaginary line creating a border between them.
Delaney said health workers handle calls too, just not with the public.
"Doctors call them, so if you're in a community that only has a health cabin and you need to go to a hospital, then a doctor, nurse, paramedic, whatever medical authority that is present in that community, can call here, saying that they need to get connected to a doctor here, Edmonton, somewhere" she said. "And from there, they make a decision and then med response arranges with [Air] Tindi to get a plane."
Differences aside, Delaney said the two departments have an agreement: sometimes, someone from Health and Social Services will answer 911 calls, if other dispatchers have left or are busy, she explained.
Other than 911, there are other numbers someone can call, in cases of more specific emergencies.
"You can dial 811, 24 hours a day, to access trauma-informed support for mental wellness, and tobacco cessation counselling, along with general health advice, provided by a registered nurse," said Peter Tah, a senior communications advisor for MACA.
People can also call 988 at any time if they are experiencing suicidal thoughts or are concerned about someone else, Tah added.
If you, or someone you know, might have been poisoned, you can call 1-844-764-7669, which is also available 24 hours a day.
There are also street outreach vans that the City of Yellowknife has. Tah said if someone sees somebody in distress who is not committing a crime or experiencing a medical emergency, they can contact the van at 867-445-7202.
More recently, Home Base Yellowknife obtained a youth outreach van. The number to call for that is 867-446-7233.
