A new pilot program has given emergency crews a new tool to assist people in distress along Calgary’s pathways.

Pathway location markers have been placed along three high traffic pathways in the city to help people properly communicate their location when in need.

“Our goal is to help provide assistance to citizens as efficiently and seamlessly as possible,” said Nina Vaughan, Commander of Public Safety Communications.

“Since Calgary has more than 700 kilometres of pathways, it is not always easy to articulate where you are on our extensive pathway network when you need help.”

This program is the first of its kind in Canada and is hoping to make response time to 911 calls much quicker.

Location markers have been placed along Centre City/Bow River, the Elbow River pathways and in Fish Creek Park.

While using the pathway systems, users are asked to take note of the unique location codes placed on the markers.

The code is a combination of two letters and four numbers and are located about one kilometre apart.

“We wanted to make sure that parks and pathways users were aware of this tool while they are out enjoying the pathways,” said Vaughan.

Public Safety Communications will monitor this program and the results will be reported to the  Community Protective Services committee in the spring of 2013.

In case of emergency:

• Public Safety Communications in is the City of Calgary’s 911 centre.
• 911 calls were answered at an average speed of six seconds in 2011.
• 911 call centres in Calgary receives almost one million calls a year.