Because of the need to ensure completeness and accuracy of the 911 emergency telephone answering system, the launch of 911 service in the southern part of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is being pushed back until next month.
Britannia Beach and Furry Creek are among the areas to be hooked up to the service in the near future. Until this week, SLRD officials had hoped to launch the new service on Feb. 16. But in a statement issued on Monday (Feb. 7), officials said the launch was being pushed back until some time in March. The new launch date has yet to be determined.
SLRD officials have been working with a number of agencies for the past several years to establish 911 service in D'Arcy, Birken, N'Quatqua, Mount Currrie, Pemberton, Britannia Beach and Furry Creek. Currently, residents of those areas have to dial three separate 10-digit numbers to access police, ambulance and fire services.
In preparation for the service, residents should ensure that they have their correct street address posted where it can be easily seen from the road, day or night, to help emergency response personnel find their addresses, officials said.
In a similar vein, Squamish RCMP Staff Sgt. Guy Pollock this week said it's important for residents of Squamish and surrounding communities to install large, clear, well-lit or reflective address numbers on your business or home. "Challenges finding numbers can result in unnecessary and potentially life-threatening delay" in an emergency, he said.
