Kelowna and Kamloops partner to upgrade fire dispatch
News Release
Kelowna Fire Communications Centre (KFCC) and Kamloops Fire Rescue Dispatch (KFRD) are partnering to upgrade fire dispatch systems through shared Next‑Generation 911 technology, maintaining operational autonomy while strengthening backup safeguards and improving the reliability and continuity of emergency communications for the communities they serve.
Once fully implemented, the partnership will support a stronger and more resilient fire dispatch network for the 58 fire departments served by Kelowna Fire Communications Centre and the 32 served by Kamloops Fire Rescue Dispatch.
“Reliable fire dispatch is critical to keeping people safe,” said Jason Bedell, Assistant Fire Chief of Communications and Administration with the City of Kelowna. “This partnership strengthens the systems that support emergency response, ensuring our dispatch services remain reliable and resilient, while maintaining the same high service standards.”
The transition is being delivered in two phases. Phase one, moved both dispatch centres onto shared Next‑Generation 911 technology, improving system stability, reducing risk of outages and enabling faster recovery, while improving performance during extreme weather events.
Phase two will introduce additional backup safeguards that allow the dispatches to support one another during large‑scale emergencies, extreme call surges, or in the unlikely event a primary and backup dispatch site is unavailable.
“This partnership strengthens the reliability of fire dispatch services,” said Scott Johnson, Assistant Fire Chief with the City of Kamloops. “The added safeguards ensure emergency calls can continue to be received and dispatched even in the event of a major disruption, helping protect service continuity during rare but high‑impact emergencies.”
Beyond increased reliability, protection, and continuity of service, there will be no changes to dispatch operations. Staffing levels, response procedures, service levels, and accountability all remain the same.
Both dispatch centres will continue operating as separate organizations, each accountable to their own governance structures and the fire departments they serve.
Fire dispatch centres across Canada are transitioning away from legacy systems to Next-Generation 911 technology, a shift mandated by the Canadian Radio and Television Commission.
The City of Kelowna and the City of Kamloops each received $5.1 million in grant funding through the Next Generation 911 Application-based Funding program administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and funded by the Province of BC to support the transition to shared Next‑Generation 911 technology.
Information on Kelowna Fire Department, including fire safety tips and the location of local fire stations can be found at Fire Department | City of Kelowna; Kamloops Fire Dispatch can be found here: Kamloops Fire Rescue | City of Kamloops
