News Release
New CAD/RMS System Will Enhance Public Safety in HRM
(Wednesday, April 28/2004) -- Halifax Regional Municipality will soon have a single 9-1-1 emergency call centre and be able to dispatch all police and fire services from the same combined dispatch centre.
The Municipality's new Computer-Aided Dispatch/Records Management System (CAD/RMS) is expected to be fully operational by next spring. It will significantly increase the Municipality's ability to respond to emergency situations and increase the potential for streamlining service delivery with both HRM's police agencies.
There are currently two 9-1-1 emergency call centres or Public Safety Access Points (PSAPs) in the Municipality. One is operated by the RCMP and the other is operated by HRM.
The new CAD/RMS system will combine the two centres, reduce overall staffing numbers and enhance public safety protection within HRM. In addition, the new Records Management System (RMS) will enable both Halifax Regional Police and RCMP Halifax Detachment to manage police records within a single system, which will increase information-sharing and crime analysis.
George McLellan, Chief Administrative Officer said, "The new CAD/RMS system is just another example of our commitment to integrated policing services with the Halifax Regional Municipality. One 9-1-1 Emergency Call and Dispatch Centre and a single Records Management System will only further enhance public safety within HRM."
Chief Frank Beazley, of the Halifax Regional Police said, "One dispatch system will allow police to deploy the closest patrol car, regardless of the area. This efficiency, coupled with our shared radio system, will provide citizens with seamless policing and allow HRM to fully integrate its policing services."
Superintendent Vern Fraser, Officer in Charge of RCMP Halifax Detachment, expressed his sincere belief that the new CAD/RMS system will provide a better policing capacity to HRM in the areas of crime prevention and overall service delivery. He said, "The establishment of this system will provide a core element whereby both agencies can come together in a united policing front to benefit the citizens of this Municipality."
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John O'Brien
HRM Corporate Communications Officer
(902) 490-6531
