FROM: Corporate Communications
DATE: April 30, 2025
WHEN EVERY SECOND COUNTS
Know When to Call 9-1-1 and Save Lives by Keeping Emergency Lines Clear
(INNISFIL/BRADFORD, ON) – Today marks the official launch of the “When Every Second Counts” campaign, the first-ever province-wide campaign to focus on reducing non-emergency 9-1-1 calls. The South Simcoe Police Service joins this collective effort to educate the public on the proper use of 9-1-1 and how lives can be saved by keeping emergency lines clear for those in urgent need.
Too often, 9-1-1 is used for non-emergency calls which can delay critical response times for emergencies. Raising public awareness and education through initiatives like this one is key to preventing 9-1-1 misuse.
In 2024, South Simcoe Police received a total of 68,481 emergency and administrative phone calls, of which:
• 28,534 were calls for service,
• 9,840 were 9-1-1 emergency calls,
• 1,527 were 9-1-1 non-emergency calls, including misdials,
• 1,676 were 9-1-1 calls transferred to other emergency services.
The South Simcoe Police Service recorded a 23% increase in 9-1-1 non-emergency/misdial calls from 2023 to 2024; and for 2025, the service is already experiencing an increase in 9-1-1 non-emergency calls. Across Ontario, police services report that nearly half of all 9-1-1 calls are for non-emergencies, including accidental dials, hang-ups, and frivolous inquiries.
“South Simcoe Police communicators serve as the critical link between the public and emergency services, answering all incoming 9-1-1 calls, police emergency and administrative calls – they are always here to help, but every non-emergency call takes up valuable time and resources from someone who may be experiencing a life-threatening emergency. It is important for our residents, community members and the public to have access to the information and resources they need to make sure they are making the right call – it could be a matter of saving a life.” – John Van Dyke, Chief of Police, South Simcoe Police.
When to Call 9-1-1
Call 9-1-1 only for immediate threats to life or serious emergencies, including:
• Medical emergencies, such as heart attack, stroke, unconsciousness,
• Crime in progress, such as robbery, assault, home invasion,
• Serious vehicle collisions, especially with injuries,
• Fires, including car fires,
• Threats to public safety, such as hazardous spills, down power lines.
Do NOT call 9-1-1 to report:
• Noise complaints, such as loud parties, barking dogs, etc.,
• Fraud, lost or stolen items, including wallets, phones, etc.,
• Minor vehicle collision with no injuries,
• Power or internet outages,
• By-law concerns, such as parking complaints, property disputes.
South Simcoe Police is making it easier and more accessible for the public to report non-emergency incidents, such as thefts and frauds. In 2024, the service launched the online reporting portal, a convenient way for the public to report non-emergency crime such as thefts and fraud without waiting for an officer to arrive on scene, and it is available 24-hours a day. The South Simcoe Police Alternate Response Unit (ARU) handles non-emergency calls and investigations reported on our online portal. The implementation of online reporting and the ARU has increased the efficiency with which these lower-level crimes can be handled, freeing up front-line officers to respond to higher priority calls for service.
South Simcoe Police urges everyone to learn the difference between emergency and non-emergency matters, and encourages the public to use our online reporting tool to report fraud and thefts promptly at www.southsimcoepolice.on.ca/online-reporting/. For non-emergencies, call (705) 436-2141 or (905) 775-3311 and press 0. Be sure save these numbers and alternative emergency numbers. Share them with family and friends and help spread awareness about proper emergency service use because every second counts! Together, we can save lives by keeping emergency lines clear.
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