The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is undertaking a project to upgrade its 9-1-1 system, but it needs residents to confirm their civic addresses are correctly registered within the RDCK database.
The project focuses on improving Geographic Information Systems (GIS) address and road data throughout the RDCK to ensure emergency services can locate someone quickly.
Once complete, the project will align with the federal government’s move to the GIS-based Next Generation 911 (NG911) program, which is rolling out across Canada in 2025.
According to the RDCK, NG911 will replace legacy analogue infrastructure with IP-based technology to make emergency calls faster and more reliable. Eventually, it will offer the ability to voice call, text, or video chat 9-1-1.
Michelle West, RDCK Senior GIS Analyst, said a GIS system manages and provides location data, usually in the form of a map. To ensure the accuracy of this map, the RDCK needs all civic addresses and roads listed in its database to be correct.
Historically, civic addresses in the RDCK have existed in several different forms. Some are already in the RDCK database, but some, particularly rural and remote properties, were created and never properly registered.
“Every dwelling is required to have an assigned address for emergency response services, and if an address is not registered with the RDCK, it means that 9-1-1 does not have that information either. So, we’re making sure that all of our remote homes and structures are addressed, which allows us to find those people much more quickly.”
The use of GIS data will provide authorities with much more accurate location information, especially in remote areas, effectively improving response time and enhancing response during an evacuation.
The project will go live at the end of 2025, but the RDCK is asking residents to be proactive and confirm their addresses before then.
Residents can check their addresses using the RDCK Web Map or visit the Civic Addressing page on the RDCK website to see if their address meets the requirements.
If an address is incorrect, residents can apply for a free address or address change by filling out the Civic Address Application form and stating “NG911” as the reason for the request. Fees will be applied for any requests made after the end of 2024.
Alternatively, residents can visit any RDCK office (Nelson, Nakusp, and Creston) to request an application form.
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