GPS to Enhance Municipal Planning and Public Safety

Municipalities across the province will soon be able to provide more accurate civic address information, which will enhance Nova Scotia's 9-1-1 emergency service.

The Emergency Management Office and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations have invested $300,000 in Global Positioning System (GPS) units for municipalities and district planning commissions. The units will provide accurate location information to the Nova Scotia Civic Address File, which is used for municipal planning, mapping and emergency response.

"These units will provide more timely and accurate location information for emergency responders," said Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Minister of Emergency Management today, April 27. "Any time we improve the accuracy of civic address information, we improve public safety."

There had been no common tool among municipalities and district planning commissions for collecting civic address information. Providing GPS units will make collecting and sharing geographic information more accurate and efficient.

"This investment furthers our partnership with municipalities and ensures we take advantage of technology to enhance the collection of geographic information," said Jamie Muir, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

Thirty four GPS units will be distributed to municipalities and district planning commissions that maintain the Nova Scotia Civic Address File, and training will be offered at various locations.

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations is working with municipalities to ensure the accurate collection of civic address information for new roads and buildings.