A province-wide campaign tackling 911 misuse is certainly relevant in Greater Sudbury.
In a media release issued by the city this week, they noted there were 72,532 calls to 911 in 2024, of which 18,115 were abandoned.
Police services across Ontario have reported that nearly half of all 911 calls are for non-emergencies, including accidental dials, hang-ups and frivolous inquiries.
“Every second counts in an emergency and ensuring our 911 lines are available for life-threatening situations is critical for community safety,” Fire and Paramedic Services Chief Joseph Nicholls said in a media release.
“Calls about non-urgent matters like noise complaints, bylaw issues or accidental dials can delay help for someone facing a genuine crisis. We urge residents to learn when to call 911 and when to use alternative numbers.”
On this front, the city points to the following alternative numbers:
- For non-urgent police matters, call the Greater Sudbury Police Service non-emergency line at 705-675-9171
- For municipal services or bylaw complaints, call 311 or visit www.greatersudbury.ca
- For non-urgent health advice, call Health Connect Ontario at 811 or 1-866-797-0000
- For mental health support, call the 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline
The provincial campaign tackling 911 misuse, headed by the Emergency Services Steering Committee, is called, “When Every Second Counts.”
It accompanies other Emergency Preparedness Week efforts, such as emergency alert tests.
If you call 911 by mistake, do not hang up, the city’s media release urges. Stay on the line and inform the operator it was an accidental call.
“Community safety and well-being are at the heart of everything we do,” GSPS Chief Sara Cunningham said in a media release.
“Every time someone calls 911 for a true emergency, they are helping to ensure that critical resources are available when seconds count. But when 911 is used for non-emergencies, it can delay the response to someone in real, immediate danger.
“By using 911 responsibly, you are not only protecting yourself — you are protecting your neighbours, your loved ones and your entire community. Remember: 911 is for emergencies only. Together, we can keep our community safe and ensure help is there when it’s needed most.”