In a significant step forward for public safety infrastructure across the Dominican Republic, President Luis Abinader has officially launched the National Emergency and Security System (commonly known as 911) in the northwestern province of Montecristi. The rollout brings unified, coordinated emergency response capabilities to more than 157,000 local residents and travelers that visit the province annually.
Prior to this launch, the 911 network had already been established across 26 of the Dominican Republic’s 32 provinces. With Montecristi’s integration into the national system, the emergency service now reaches 27 provinces, extending coverage to over 9.6 million Dominican residents—accounting for 94.64% of the country’s total population. The new service will operate across all six of Montecristi’s municipal districts, integrating rapid response resources from multiple government agencies to cut down on emergency wait times. Participating bodies include the Dominican National Police, the national Fire Department, and the Directorate of Out-of-Hospital Emergency Care (DAEH), among other public institutions.
Alongside the launch, local and national authorities confirmed the deployment of a purpose-built team and specialized equipment to support the new Montecristi operations. A total of 472 fully trained emergency and security personnel have been assigned to the region, supported by 13 new ambulances, dedicated police patrol vehicles, response motorcycles, fire trucks, and a network of upgraded public surveillance cameras. These resources are designed to strengthen both emergency response capacity and overall public safety across the province.
During the inauguration ceremony, President Abinader used the occasion to address the public, emphasizing the importance of responsible use of the new 911 service. He stressed that non-emergency, prank, or false calls place unnecessary strain on the system, and can create dangerous delays for people experiencing life-threatening or genuine emergencies that require immediate assistance. The launch marks another milestone in the Dominican government’s multi-year plan to roll out universal emergency response coverage across the entire country.