WHO ARE WE?
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Foothills Regional 9-1-1 is a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) located in Okotoks, AB.
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We are the first point of contact in an emergency. The calm voice in the chaos. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
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We are a team of local professionals providing a knowledgeable presence while triaging critical calls, dispatching emergency personnel and equipment, and rendering life-saving assistance to the citizens we serve.
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Along with answering 9-1-1 calls, Foothills Regional 9-1-1 serves 25 municipalities and rural counties across 36,000 sq. kms. This area spans from Lake Louise and Banff to the Crowsnest Pass, including Foothills and Vulcan Counties, the MD of Willow Creek and Cypress County. Supporting over 40 fire halls and 12 Municipal Enforcement programs.
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Foothills Regional Emergency Services Commission (FRESC) owns and operates the Foothills Regional 9-1-1 Communications Center.
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Medical emergency:
A medical emergency is any sudden illness or injury that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, life or well-being. These symptoms may worsen rapidly without urgent medial attention.
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Common examples of medical emergencies are:
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- difficulty breathing
- severe bleeding
- loss of consciousness
- unresponsiveness
- stroke symptoms
- major trauma
- seizures
- anaphylaxis
- severe burns
-severe abdominal pain
- suicidal thoughts or behavior
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Fire emergency
A fire emergency is any situation involving uncontrolled fire that poses an immediate risk to life, health, property or the environment and requires urgent action to prevent harm.
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Common examples of fire emergencies are:
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- fires in buildings
- vehicle fires
- wildfires or bush fires
- fires involving flammable materials
- electrical fires
- motor vehicle accidents
- elevator entrapments
- fuel spills
- water rescue
- confined space rescue
​- smoke and gas detector alarms
Police emergency
A police emergency is any situation that requires immediate police intervention to protect life, prevent a crime, or an ongoing dangerous event. These situations involve a serious threat to peoples safety, criminal activity in progress or urgent public disturbances.
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Common examples of police emergencies are:
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- crimes in progress
- domestic violence
- gunshots heard
- kidnapping or abduction
- car accidents with injuries
- missing persons
- threats of violence or terrorism
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Non-emergency calls
Non-emergency calls are calls made to report situations that do not pose an immediate threat to life, safety, property or the environment. These calls do not require an urgent response from emergency services.
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Common examples of non-emergency calls are:
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- reporting a stolen vehicle or lost property (not in progress)
- noise complaints
- needing a tow truck
- requesting information on road conditions
- asking why power is out
Everyday the Foothills Regional 9-1-1 Center along with other 9-1-1 Centers receive several hang-up calls and pocket dial calls.
A vast majority of the pocket dials received are from cell phones with the Emergency SOS (Auto Call) turned on. When this feature is on, 9-1-1 is dialed when the side or top button on your phone is pressed multiple times. This often happens while the phone is sitting in a cup holder or in someone’s pocket.
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We are the 'first' of the first responders, providing a critical link for the community.
When calling 9-1-1
9-1-1 Emergency Dispatchers are trained professionals that will gather specific information get help to you as quickly as possible. Our professionals can offer life-saving assistance to help you until further help arrives. Answering the questions asked do not delay dispatching emergency responders..
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Be prepared to answer a few common questions that will help us assist you faster:
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What is your emergency?
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What is your location?
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General assistance questions
Text with 9-1-1
Text with 9-1-1 is now available for callers in the Foothills Regional 9-1-1 service area who are deaf, have hearing loss or speech impairments and require emergency assistance.
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How to use Text with 9-1-1
- Individuals who are communication challenged must pre-register their mobile phone number by contacting their wireless provider directly.
- A call to 9-1-1 must always be placed first before any texting can occur.
- When a 9-1-1 call comes from a registered phone, 9-1-1 emergency dispatchers are immediately notified and can begin a texting conversation with the caller.
Never hang up on 9-1-1
Every time a call is placed to 9-1-1 and the caller hangs up, emergency dispatchers must call the number back to ensure everything is OK. You will be asked 2 questions which must be answered with "yes" or "no".
If there’s no answer, police may be advised.
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Stay on the line and advise it was a misdial. You will be asked 2 questions which must be answered with "yes" or "no".
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When emergency dispatchers have to call a number back, you may be taking away time required to assist with real emergencies.
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