Emergency-call technology serving much of Vancouver Island has taken a major step forward with the transition to the new Next Generation 9-1-1 system.

The RCMP Island District communications centre in Courtenay completed the initial transition this week. The centre provides secondary emergency-call services for approximately 20 Island communities and supports RCMP air, marine and traffic units.

The federally mandated upgrade replaces decades-old infrastructure and lays the groundwork for faster, more informed communication during emergencies.

For now, there is no change to how residents request help. People experiencing an emergency should continue calling 9-1-1 as usual. An E-Comm operator will answer the call and connect it with police or the appropriate emergency-response agency.

The only immediate public-facing change is a new automated callback system operated by E-Comm. It will help manage calls that are disconnected or abandoned shortly after being placed.

Future phases of Next Generation 9-1-1 are expected to introduce real-time texting, streaming video and more accurate caller-location information, giving first responders additional information before they arrive.

The RCMP says those expanded features are still several years away.