The 9-1-1 Project is an enormous undertaking that has been on-going day in and day out since June, 2001. In order to have a successful launch of the service this year, we need the assistance of individual property owners, tenants and any organizations that represent them. To understand the nature of that support, consider each of the following points.

Road Naming – We are aware that some road groups are dissatisfied with the name given to their individual roads and that they intend to approach the municipality seeking a name change. To proceed with 9-1-1 implementation now, there must be stability in naming. Thus, we respectfully ask that reconsideration of names be delayed until after 9-1-1 is in effect.

Address, Telephone Number and Property Identification Confirmation – In the months ahead, a letter will go out to the tax billing address of each property owner seeking confirmation of your civic (911) address, your telephone number(s) and the assessment roll number for the property printed on your tax bill. If all are correct, then just sit tight. Otherwise, you must contact us so that we may either correct our information or install or replace your sign.

No Address Sign – Putting up much of the 9-1-1 signage in Minden Hills and Dysart et al. must still be done. In Algonquin Highlands and Highlands East, it is just spot locations. Until we notify you that we think installation is done e.g. by a notice in the local papers, community radio (CANOE 100.9 FM) or by e-mail to association representatives, please wait for us to complete our task. We have excellent in-house tools to help us track down and fix problems. 

When we think this task is done, it will be your turn to let us know what we have overlooked. Perhaps someone within your association would be willing to accept reports of problems then relay them on to the 9-1-1 Team. This would expedite the handling of problems at our end.

Signage Removal – In the past, many Cottage Associations set up and installed their own individual property numbering. To eliminate the possibility of confusion for emergency responders, all the old numbers must be taken down once new numbers are installed including water access. The same applies to signs for road names that are no longer in use. We will gladly inform your association as to the date by which this should be done, once it is determined, and announce it in the local papers and through community radio.

Water Access – Addressing water access properties is more difficult and time consuming because it is impossible to drive our trucks around the rim of an island or along a shoreline where there is no road. For now, we will associate such properties with the address of the shore point where an emergency response boat would be launched to provide service at your location. More information as to how you might assist us in this endeavor will be provided to the Associations in the months ahead.

Gated Roads – If the gate across a road was closed and locked at the time we did our addressing in 2002, then the residents on that road are not included in our 9-1-1 coverage. Contact us as soon as possible to make arrangements for us to get access so that we can undertake field work and sign installation starting in late May.

9-1-1 Launch Date – In January, 2001, we estimated that we could have everything ready so that 9-1-1 coverage would commence on July 1, 2004. A great deal has been accomplished in terms of road naming, sign installation, emergency mapping, connecting telephone numbers to addresses and so on but not enough to meet our original target date. A new date will be set towards the end of the year when justified by the state of readiness of both the County and our partner, Bell.