A new self-registration program launched by Pincher Creek Emergency Services is giving residents and business owners a way to help first responders better prepare for emergencies before they arrive.

The free online platform, called Community Connect, allows people to securely share important information about their homes and businesses. Users can voluntarily provide details such as mobility needs, pets, access codes, emergency contacts and other information that could help firefighters and EMS respond more effectively when every second counts.

Emergency services Chief Pat Neumann says the information automatically appears to responders while they are en route to a registered address after a 911 call is dispatched, giving them details they would otherwise not have before arriving on scene.

“It’s like a pre-plan, basically, for residents and businesses,” Neumann says.

The program was soft-launched in April and emergency services is testing the system. Although a broader public launch is planned during the grand opening of the new Pincher Creek fire hall in September, people can register immediately.

“The more people we get on, the bigger the advantage for us,” he says.

How it works

When a 911 call is made, dispatch captures the caller’s address, which is cross-referenced with the Community Connect database. If the address has a registered profile, the information automatically appears on responders’ devices.

The platform allows residential users to record details about their property type, whether the home has fire sprinklers and where the family plans to meet during an emergency. They can also flag mobility or other functional needs of household members, list emergency contacts and upload photos and descriptions of their pets. Alternate entrances and door access codes can also be securely shared.

Business owners can upload emergency plans and procedures, identify staff members with mobility needs, note on-site hazardous materials and provide key access and utility details. They can also enter contact information so they receive a text alert if emergency services are called to their property.

People with separate home and business addresses can create two profiles, one using a personal email and one using a work email.

Those who cannot register themselves can have a family member register on their behalf, or contact the fire department to have an account created for them.

Community Connect also allows users to update their information if they move or if details about their household change. The system sends periodic reminders encouraging users to review and update their profiles to keep information current.

Privacy and security

Neumann acknowledges residents may have concerns about how their personal information is protected but says safeguards are built into the system.

The data is stored entirely within Canada and is protected using 256-bit encryption. The information cannot be accessed by firefighters or EMS personnel unless they are responding to an emergency at the registered address.

“It’s protected at the same level as banking information,” he says. “I can’t just log on a Friday afternoon, cruise through there and see who’s got what in their house.”

Residents with privacy questions are encouraged to contact the emergency services department directly.

No cost, no incident behind it

The program is free. There are no registration fees, monthly charges or upfront costs. Community Connect is an add-on feature of the software Pincher Creek Emergency Services adopted about a year ago for scheduling, inventory tracking and call management.

Neumann says no specific emergency prompted the launch. The department decided to roll it out after hearing from fire department partners across the province who reported strong results.

With the program still in its early stages, there are no confirmed cases yet where a Community Connect profile directly shaped a response in Pincher Creek.

However, Neumann says the system has already demonstrated the value of providing responders with more information before arriving at an emergency scene. He expects its benefits to grow as more residents and businesses register.

What the department wants

Neumann says the department hopes the program will become widely used.

“Anybody that we can get on, we’d love for them to get on, because it makes our job easier, and it means that we can provide you a better service,” he says.

About 100 properties are registered so far and Neumann expects participation to grow as awareness increases.

The department plans to promote the program through social media, a fall advertising campaign and word of mouth. The program was also discussed at this year’s trade fair and will be featured again next year.

“We’ve got it out, all our councillors are using it now,” he says. “So, we’re hoping for word of mouth.”

Residents and business owners can register online at communityconnect.io/info/ab-pinchercreek.

Anyone with questions about the program can contact Pincher Creek Emergency Services at 403-627-5333 or email team@communityconnect.io.