Winnipeg 911 to Divert Crisis Calls to Community Groups

Winnipeg is moving closer to implementing a new crisis response model that could reshape how non-emergency 911 calls are handled. The Executive Policy Committee has unanimously advanced a proposal to divert calls that do not require police or fire services to specialized community groups. This initiative aims to streamline emergency response by ensuring appropriate agencies manage incidents.

Mayor Gillingham highlighted that while many capable community agencies exist, they are not currently integrated into the 911 system. The proposed model would route these calls through the Winnipeg Police Service dispatch center, allowing for triage to the correct community organization. A city review indicated that over 10,000 911 calls annually, including thousands handled by police and fire services, could be better addressed by community groups, freeing up critical emergency personnel for more severe situations.

Similar systems are already in place with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service and the Downtown Community Safety Partnership, successfully dispatching hundreds of calls from 911. This new comprehensive approach seeks to transform the 911 system by ensuring callers receive the most suitable help while optimizing the availability of police, firefighters, and paramedics for high-priority emergencies. The city anticipates provincial government partnership to fully realize these changes.