A provincial 911 emergency line is unavailable across all Manitoba communities except Winnipeg, after a disruption originated at a dispatch centre in Brandon on Wednesday, authorities confirmed.
According to reports, the outage began at the Brandon dispatch facility, leaving residents outside Winnipeg without access to the important emergency telephone service. Details about the cause of the outage were not immediately released, and responders were directing callers to use alternative methods for emergencies where possible.
Emergency authorities urged residents outside Winnipeg to remain calm but prepared and to seek alternatives for urgent needs. It was not immediately clear how long the outage would last or what steps are in place to restore service in the affected regions. Winnipeg, however, appeared to retain 911 functionality as of the latest update.
Officials emphasized that the 911 system provides critical access to police, fire, and ambulance services, and outages can impact response times. Local authorities were coordinating with provincial and regional emergency communications teams to assess the scope of the disruption and to implement contingency plans.
Residents seeking non-emergency assistance were advised to use regular non-emergency numbers or local authorities’ contact channels. Those with accessibility needs or in areas with limited connectivity were encouraged to contact emergency services through any available means, including alternative hotlines or municipal dispatch offices, if advised by local officials.
No injuries or incidents tied directly to the outage were reported in connection with the initial disclosure. The situation prompted a broader reminder from public safety officials about the importance of having a plan for emergencies and knowing how to reach help when primary channels are unavailable.
Further updates were expected from Manitoba emergency management and the Brandon dispatch centre as they work to determine the cause and restore full 911 service to all areas outside Winnipeg. Officials said information would be shared as it becomes available.