EPS welcomed 28 new civilian Emergency Communications Officers (ECOs) and celebrated the graduation of more than 70 others who completed training of other specialized roles within ECOMB at their formal graduation on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

ECOMB is the primary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for the City of Edmonton. ECO’s handle approximately 2,000 calls per day from the public. These calls, which encompass both 9-1-1 emergencies needing police, fire, or ambulance and non-emergency inquiries, are answered, evaluated, and dispatched accordingly. ECOs serve as the vital connection between the community and the public safety services they depend on. 

Becoming an ECO is a rigorous application and training process, and less than 6 per cent of first-time applicants are successful in becoming an ECO. The training equips graduates to play a vital role in ensuring the safety of their community. These new ECO’s come to the Branch with various backgrounds in customer service, law, science, and military.

An ECO working a regular 12-hour shift speaks to upwards of 80 people per shift. Last year alone (2024), ECOMB received almost one million calls. While an ECO primarily works behind the scenes, the impact they have on public safety is immeasurable. This is all the more reason to celebrate their achievements and recognize the critical role they play in keeping residents safe. As the first of the first responders, ECOs ensure the fast and accurate transmission of information related to fire, medical and law enforcement emergencies.

“The calls that we receive range from the most critical life-threatening emergencies, fires, heart attacks, criminal incidents, right down to things like neighbour disputes, says ECOMB Director Kay Anderson. Our emergency communications officers have to be able to switch back and forth to help the public no matter what the situation is.”

In recognition of their vital work, the City of Edmonton has proclaimed April 13-19, 2025, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Edmonton.

“We are so proud of our newest ECO graduates, and we are looking forward to the positive impact they will have on public safety in Edmonton,” says Anderson.

For more information, please visit 911maketherightcall.ca or the ECOMB page at edmontonpolice.ca/ECOMB