The highly anticipated Celebration of Light is returning July 20, 24 and 27, drawing hundreds of thousands to Vancouver beaches for a dazzling display of fireworks.
While first responders are busy on the ground, call takers and dispatchers are working hard behind the scenes to connect the public with the help they need.
Summer is a peak period for 9-1-1 and E-Comm is already seeing volumes rising with visitors arriving in Vancouver, and more people out and about enjoying summer activities and events.
The emergency communications centre plans for this season year-round, and the Celebration of Light events account for some of the busiest call volumes annually. While additional staff have been scheduled, the fireworks are expected to be a busy event for emergency services, despite the added resources.
There are some important steps you can take to stay safe during the fireworks and help keep 9-1-1 available to those who need it.
- Remember that 9-1-1 is for reporting an immediate threat to safety, a crime in progress, or situations where someone is in medical distress. It is a lifeline, not a general information line.
- Lock and store your devices carefully as you head out to enjoy the show, or finish taking photos and videos of the fireworks. E-Comm receives hundreds of accidental calls every day. If you do call 9
- If you need to call 9-1-1 before, during or after the fireworks, knowing your location is the best way for us to connect you with emergency responders on the ground. This can be challenging in a large crowd, so it is important to know the name of the beach or park from where you are watching the fireworks. Major landmarks and cross streets will also help us find you.
- Our call takers do ask a lot of questions so that they can provide the best information to the attending first responders. By following their lead, you will help us to help in the fastest way possible.
Thank you for doing your part to help us help during the Celebration of Lights. Stay safe and enjoy the show!
About E-Comm
E-Comm is the first point of contact for 9-1-1 callers in 25 regional districts in British Columbia and provides dispatch services for more than 70 police agencies and fire departments across the province. E‐Comm also owns and operates the largest multi‐jurisdictional, tri‐service, wide‐area radio network in the province used by police, fire and ambulance personnel throughout Metro Vancouver and parts of the Fraser Valley.
Media contact
604-215-6248
[email protected]
B-Roll/Photos
Updated assets are available for download here.