Fire dispatch transition strengthens emergency communications for Welland

Welland Fire and Emergency Services will transition its fire dispatch services to the City of St. Catharines on July 15, strengthening emergency communications and regional coordination while continuing to provide the dependable emergency response residents rely on.

The new 15-year agreement connects Welland Fire and Emergency Services with a modern, Next Generation 911 (NG-911) compliant communications centre while improving coordination with neighbouring fire departments across Niagara.

Fire dispatchers receive emergency calls, communicate with firefighters, and coordinate emergency responses. The transition will not change how residents report emergencies. Anyone requiring fire or emergency assistance should continue to call 911.

“This partnership is about ensuring Welland Fire and Emergency Services is supported by a modern, reliable emergency communications system that will serve our community well into the future,” said Matt Richardson, acting fire chief. “The work completed by our staff and our partners in St. Catharines has positioned us for a smooth transition while strengthening our ability to coordinate emergency responses across Niagara. Ultimately, these improvements strengthen how we respond to emergencies and help us continue providing the high level of fire protection residents expect.”

Over the past several months, Welland Fire and Emergency Services and the City of St. Catharines have been preparing for the July 15 transition through system configuration, communications planning, training, testing, and interoperability exercises. This work will help ensure emergency communications continue without interruption.

Beyond enhanced regional interoperability and NG-911 capabilities, the new agreement also provides operational improvements including enhanced notification capabilities, integrated communications technology, and stronger coordination with neighbouring fire services.

The transition supports the City’s ongoing commitment to modernize municipal services and strengthen community safety through reliable, future-ready emergency communications.

For residents, the transition will take place behind the scenes. There will be no changes to how emergency calls are made or how Welland Fire and Emergency Services responds to emergencies.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Paul Orlando
Communications Specialist
905-735-1700 x2133
paul.orlando@welland.ca