News release: April 10, 2023
911 Awareness Week in Peel
Nearly 40 per cent of 911 calls are not emergencies
Brampton, ON. (April 10, 2023) – April 9 to 15 is 911 awareness week in Peel. During this week especially, we recognise the crucial work that 911 emergency communicators and services perform in our region and around the world. 911 connects residents to Paramedics, Police, and Fire when we need immediate help. They save lives every day.
Last year, almost 40 per cent of 911 calls were due to accidents or misuse. Valuable time and resources were lost. We ask our residents to ensure 911 services are used for emergencies only by:
- Calling 911 only when someone needs immediate help from Fire, Police or Paramedics
- Calling 211, 311, 811 or police non-emergency lines for other kinds of help
- Locking your cell phone and not programming 911 into your phone
- Teaching children how to use 911 correctly and how to recognise an emergency
Don’t hang up!
If you call 911 accidentally, don't panic and don't hang up! Stay on the phone so the communicator knows you’re okay. If you hang up, the communicator will call you back and may send emergency services to your location.
When you call 911, make sure you stay on the phone with the communicator to make sure they have all the information they need to send you help. Location is difficult to determine on a cell phone.
Did you know?
- 911 is available is available in 156 languages
- 911 is available by text to members of the deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech impaired community who have pre-registered their cellphones with their wireless provider
- Access to 911 and emergency services is available for free to all residents
During 911 awareness week and all year long, use 911 correctly so emergency services can reach you faster. To learn more about Peel's 911 services in Peel, visit 911 Service.
It gives me great pride to call attention to the amazing people who work in emergency services in Peel, including Paramedic, Police, and Fire services, and the 911 emergency communicators who support us during our most difficult moments. To all emergency service providers and first responders this week – we honour and salute you for your continued hard work and for always being there when we need you the most.
Nando Iannicca, Peel Regional Chair
Last year, Peel paramedics responded to more than 140,000 calls, making us one of the busiest paramedic services in the country. Please remember that 911 is for emergencies only, such as a life-threatening medical condition. If you call 911 for a minor illness or injury, you may be preventing paramedics from saving someone’s life.
Peter Dundas, Chief, Peel Regional Paramedic Services
Media contact
Kathleen Dueck
Communication Specialist
Region of Peel
About Peel Region
In 2024, Peel Region marks its 50th anniversary. Peel Region works with residents and partners to create a healthy, safe, and connected Community for Life for approximately 1.5 million people and over 200,000 businesses in Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon. Peel's services touch the lives of residents every day. For more information explore peelregion.ca and follow us on X @regionofpeel and Instagram @peelregion.ca.
On December 13, 2023, the Ontario government announced that Peel Region will not be dissolved, and that Bill 112 legislation will be updated to reflect service delivery in Peel. Services for residents and businesses will continue without interruption. For updates and more information, visit Peel's transition page.
