Dial 9-1-1 in an emergency situation when you need immediate help from police, fire or paramedics.
Please Use 9-1-1 Responsibly
9-1-1 is the designated number to request emergency services and should only be used for immediate threats to people or property. 9-1-1 call takers and dispatchers are highly trained public safety professionals that will get you the right help when and where you need it. Don't call 9-1-1 to ask for non-emergency phone numbers.
Emergency situations include:
- Immediate threats to people or property: see fire or smoke; gunshots/stabbings; car accidents with injuries; medical emergencies such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, symptoms of stroke or heart attack; carbon monoxide alarm sounding
- Crimes that are in progress such as assault, impaired driving, break and enters with suspects on scene, robbery, suspicious activity
If you accidentally call 9-1-1, do not hang up. Stay on the line and let the call taker know it was an accident. If you hang up, valuable time and resources could be used to call you back and confirm there is no emergency.
Prank 9-1-1 calls are a criminal offence and take up valuable time from being able to help someone with a real emergency.
What Happens When You Call 9-1-1
A call taker asks “do you need police, fire or ambulance?" and may confirm the municipality you are calling from. You will then be transferred to the agency you requested as soon as possible which can happen in a matter of seconds. Be prepared to answer several questions so the right help can be dispatched.
- Always know your location
- Download the What3Words app app if you're going hiking, boating or adventuring in unfamiliar areas
- Don't pre-program 9-1-1
- If you call 9-1-1 by accident, stay on the line so you don't tie up resources unnecessarily
- Please understand the questioning process does NOT delay getting help to you
- Listen carefully to any instructions being provided to you
- Stay calm, speak clearly and don't hang up until asked to do so
Teach Children How to Use 9-1-1
Teaching children how and when to use 9-1-1 properly is important but remind them it is not a toy. Keep household cordless phones fully charged and in the same place within the house. Keep address information near the phone and show your children where it is. Never give a child an old cell phone to use as a toy as de-commissioned phones can still dial 9-1-1.
Reporting Non-emergencies
You can report non-emergency incidents through non-emergency phone numbers and other City services. Don't call 9-1-1 to ask for non-emergency phone numbers as it ties up valuable resources. Non-emergency phone numbers and examples of reasons to call include:
Barrie Fire & Emergency Service
705-728-3199
- Burning/bonfire complaints
- Fire code violations
- Minor fuel spills
- Requesting information or inspections
- Loss of power (contact your local power utility company)
Barrie Police Service
705-725-7025 or Barrie Police Online Reporting
- Crimes that are not in-progress and/or suspects are no longer on scene
- Lost property
- Theft of gas
- General noise complaint (barking, construction, amplified sound etc.)
Enforcement Services
705-739-4241 or Enforcement.Services@barrie.ca
- Fireworks being set off nearby
- Animal issues
- Smoking violations
- Stationary noise complaint (air conditioners, pool pumps etc.)
Service Barrie
705-726-4242 or Service Barrie Online
- Reporting graffiti
- Reporting a pothole
- Parking tickets
Ontario Community and Social Services
211 or 211ontario.ca
- Crisis lines & services
- Addiction counselling & treatment
- Support groups