Yukon government applies to extend 911 service

The Yukon government has made application to expand 911 emergency service to all rural communities.

After years of discussion, the government has submitted the application to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. Currently, 911 is only available within a 90 kilometre radius of Whitehorse.

Jim Regimbal, president of the Association of Yukon Fire Chiefs, has been lobbying for the service since he came to the Yukon almost 10 years ago. He's pleased the government has finally filed the application.

"Sometimes it was hair pulling to get this moved forward. At the end of the day everyone worked hard at moving this forward and I think the expansion of the 911 emergency call service will simplify public access to emergency help in the sense that you are only pressing 911." 

The government says it will take up to two years for the rural 911 service to be fully operational.

The interim service will be up and running in four to five months, subject to CRTC approval. When it's working, callers who dial 911 will be prompted to press a number for the emergency number they require, one for police, two for ambulance, or three for fire.

There is no 911 service in the Northwest Territories or Nunavut.