Halifax police services (Halifax Regional Police/RCMP) and Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency (HRFE) are advising the public that emergency services continue to be available during the current cellular outage.
Some first responders are experiencing issues with their cellular phone service, however back-up systems are in place with our dispatch services.
HRP and HRFE networks are impacted, however, we have contingency plans in place and are responding to emergency calls.
Our Integrated Emergency Dispatch Centre can receive calls to 911. We understand some service providers are being impacted by the outage, and the municipal Emergency Management Office has advised that the best way to contact 911 is through a landline.
HRFE has instructed all its volunteers to head to unstaffed fire stations as soon as possible, to ensure smooth communication between our dispatch operators and individual stations as well as being on-hand to assist citizens who need emergency assistance.
Please try calling 911 from your phone – or one nearby – if you are experiencing or witnessing an emergency. If that doesn’t work, please go to your nearest fire station (https://www.halifax.ca/fire-police/fire/fire-stations).
We urge you to please only call 911 in an emergency.
For the latest information regarding access to emergency services during this cellular outage please visit Halifax.ca
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The province’s Emergency Management Office (EMO) is aware of cell and landline outages and the Provincial Coordination Centre has been activated.
EMO is working with emergency service providers, like fire departments, ambulance, and community emergency management teams to provide support in any way possible.
Emergency numbers 811 and 911 are working but the best way to reach them is through a landline (depending on your service provider). If possible, please check on your neighbours.
EMO will co-ordinate with cell service providers to determine whether they need supports to restore service. Follow on twitter @NSEMO and Facebook at www.facebook.com/nsgov/ for the latest updates and information from the province.
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Source: Media Release
