Loud, clear, connected, and better equipped to keep themselves and the public safe.
That鈥檚 how 91原创 Township firefighters will be working, now that they have joined the E-Comm Wide-Area Radio Network.
On May 23, the Township of 91原创 Fire Department became a member of the Network, which provides top-of-the-line equipment to first responders and allows firefighters, police officers, and paramedics to all communicate on the same channels.
鈥淲e have been looking forward to this for a long time,鈥� said Township fire chief Stephen Gamble, adding that the improvement to the clarity of calls coming in was immediately noticeable as soon as the system was implemented.
鈥淏eing a part of the network will have an enormous impact on how firefighters do their jobs and their ability to help keep our residents safe.鈥�
E-Comm鈥檚 Wide-Area Radio Network is the largest multi-jurisdictional, tri-service emergency radio system in British Columbia. First implemented in 1999, E-Comm recently completed a replacement of the regional network based on new digital radio technology.
Now, more than 30 agencies 鈥� including BC Emergency Health Services within Metro Vancouver and Abbotsford, all police agencies in Metro Vancouver and Abbotsford, and 15 fire departments in Metro Vancouver 鈥� communicate on the network.
Being among them will keep Township firefighters safer and help them to respond quickly in an emergency.
鈥淥ur firefighters work in all kinds of extreme conditions as they protect people, property, and the environment, and the radio is literally a lifeline,鈥� said Township of 91原创 Mayor and E-Comm Director Jack Froese.
鈥淓nsuring the wellbeing of first responders and the public is a top priority and the new Wide-Area Radio Network system and equipment will enhance both operations and safety, especially in mutual aid situations.鈥�
The Township of 91原创 has seven fire halls supported by 87 career firefighters and 105 paid-call firefighters, who serve a population of 121,000.
In past years, Township fire crews had been working with a radio system and equipment, including portable radios and mobile truck radios, that were ageing and needed to be upgraded 鈥� a costly and complicated project, according to Township of 91原创 Assistant Fire Chief Monty Armstrong.
Instead, as part of the E-Comm Wide-Area Radio Network, they have been replaced with the latest technology and equipment specifically designed for the firefighters鈥� environment.
鈥淭he radios are 鈥榬uggedized鈥� for durability and have extra-large controls to use when firefighters are using their gloves,鈥� Armstrong said.
鈥淭he microphones are rated for use inside fire buildings and have noise cancellation 鈥� this ensures the firefighter鈥檚 audio is clear. This adds to firefighter safety, and quick efficient actions being taken due to the clear communication.鈥�
鈥淔irefighters face dangerous conditions and we know it鈥檚 hard to hear when they鈥檙e inside burning buildings or when they鈥檙e spraying water while beams crash,鈥� said Oliver Gr眉ter-Andrew, E-Comm president and CEO.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we are committed to providing firefighters in the Township of 91原创 with broad radio coverage and the latest equipment. It鈥檚 all about enhancing safety for firefighters and the citizens they serve in their communities.鈥�
