The Chatham-Kent Police Service Emergency Communication Centre operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Emergency Communication Operators are responsible for answering all 9-1-1 telephone calls for Chatham-Kent as well as the dispatching of Chatham-Kent Police and Chatham-Kent Fire Services. On an average month, the Chatham-Kent 9-1-1/Police/Fire dispatch answers over 2,200 9-1-1 calls.
Our emergency Communications Centre will answer or make about 15,000 telephone calls, including approximately 700 fire calls per month. On an average month, Police will be dispatched to about 3,800 events.
What to Expect
Calls to 9-1-1 are answered, “Chatham-Kent 9-1-1, What is your emergency?” Although it may be difficult, try to remain calm and describe your situation as best you can. The 9-1-1 operator will assist you in identifying which agency will best serve your emergency needs. Chatham-Kent 9-1-1 dispatches for both Police and Fire. Ambulances are dispatched through another agency, and your call will be promptly transferred and quickly answered by the Central Ambulance Communication Centre. During most times, officers and/or the Fire department are already being dispatched while additional questions are being asked.
With just over 70% of our 9-1-1 calls originating from a wireless device, it is important to remember that our call takers need to obtain information such as name and address. This does not automatically populate from wireless devices. Although we receive a callback number and GPS coordinates, you will always be asked to provide your location or the address of the occurrence.
When should I call 9-1-1?
9-1-1 is for police, fire, or medical emergencies when immediate response is required:
- Whenever you or someone else’s health, safety, or property is in jeopardy.
- Domestic disputes, disturbances, gunshots, fires and/or smoke, downed power lines, car accidents with injuries.
- Any medical emergency that is a threat to life or health.
- An in-progress crime such as theft, break and enter or vandalism (if there is a suspect on scene).
- To report an impaired driver.
- A serious crime has just occurred.
- Suspicious activity.
Non-Emergency Numbers
Police (519) 352-1234
Fire (519) 352-1100
The 9-1-1 service should not be used to report an incident after the fact. Instead, you should be contacting CKPS on the Non-Emergency lines. 9-1-1 should never be used for road conditions, directions, or as a source of information for telephone numbers.
Calling 9-1-1 in Error
DO NOT HANG UP!
There will be times when you may accidentally dial 9-1-1. It is important that you remain on the line and let the call taker know that you called in error. Should you hang up without saying anything, 9-1-1 personnel have the capability of ringing your phone back immediately. Failure to pick up the line or continually hanging it up will result in officers being dispatched to your residence to check on the well-being of all present.
Misuse of 9-1-1 in addition to risking the safety of people who may need emergency assistance, the deliberate misuse of 9-1-1 is a criminal offence.
TEXT with 9-1-1
Text with 9-1-1 is available for people who are part of the deaf, deafened, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired (DHHSI) community in Canada. They are able to register their cell phones with their wireless service providers.
