It should be up and running by the spring

The cities of Kitchener and Cambridge will soon have a unified fire communications centre that will serve all of Waterloo Region.

It follows an agreement between the Kitchener Professional Fire Fighters Association and the Cambridge Professional Fire Fighters Association.

"Overall I think this is going to lead to faster response times and improved coordination during all fire incidents, but particularly major incidents in the region." Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic told 570 NEWS. "This will improve ... not only the service and community safety for our residents, but also for our firefighters as they're responding to emergencies."

There are currently two fire dispatch centres in the region - one in Kitchener and another in Cambridge.

The one in Kitchener provides communications for Kitchener, Waterloo, Woolwich, Wellesley and Wilmot. Cambridge's covers that city and North Dumfries.

The new centralized dispatch centre, which should be up and running by the spring, will be located at the fire headquarters in Kitchener.

Here's how the City of Kitchener says the merger will improve community and firefighter safety:

allowing better collaboration and communication between fire departments and other emergency services

supporting smoother automatic aid in border areas

ensuring callers have consistent access to trained fire dispatchers

faster response times

improving control and coordination of major incidents

Five years ago, a report encouraged local councils to work towards consolidating emergency dispatch services.

"What this demonstrates is how the municipalities in Waterloo Region have a long history of working together ... and how we can continue working together with a shared vision for efficient and effective, citizen focused service delivery." added Vrbanovic.