PITT MEADOWS, BC – Pitt Meadows Fire & Rescue Services (PMFRS) has joined the region-wide E-Comm radio system, providing enhanced coverage, communications and safety.
“Joining E-Comm is a critical part of keeping our first responders and the public safe in an emergency,” says Mayor Bill Dingwall. “This radio network is used across the region and will provide a number of important improvements including enhanced firefighter safety and interoperability with other emergency agencies including our mutual-aid partners, RCMP and BC Ambulance Service.”
The E-Comm Wide-Area Radio Network is the largest multi-jurisdictional emergency radio system in British Columbia and is used by more than 30 agencies including police, fire and ambulance within Metro Vancouver and Abbotsford. Pitt Meadows Fire & Rescue Services is the 17th fire department to join.
The system is interoperable – meaning that firefighters, police officers and paramedics can communicate with each other on safe and secure radio channels in real time, within the city of Pitt Meadows and across municipal boundaries. In addition, PMFRS now also has interoperability with Emergency Management BC, Search and Rescue, Metro Vancouver Parks, Coast Guard, and BC Wildfire Service. This allows for coordinated communications while first responders deal with incidents.
“This much-needed new and improved communications system will allow us to talk directly and seamlessly with other emergency agencies and neighbouring regional departments when responding to multi-agency calls,” says Fire Chief Mike Larsson. “Being able to access and share information as quickly and efficiently as possible allows us to better respond to and meet the safety needs of our community.”
The change to E-Comm will have no impact on the public's experience when dialing 911. Dispatching the fire department will continue to be handled through the Surrey Dispatch Centre.
“The City continues to invest in much-needed technology and equipment to meet the needs of our Fire department,” says Chief Administrative Officer Mark Roberts. “The decision to replace our aging radio system and to join our neighbouring municipalities and other emergency agencies as part of the E-Comm radio network was identified as a priority item in last year’s Fire Services Review and incorporated in our Financial Plan.”
E-Comm has provided the department with all new radio equipment that utilizes modern digital frequencies and provides enhanced security, additional radio channels and increased network coverage and reliability.
PMFRS have been temporarily relocated to the Pitt Meadows Regional Airport during construction of their new hall. Construction of the new three-storey, 25,270 square-foot post disaster rated facility with a four-storey hose tower, four tandem bays, and the City’s new Emergency Operations Centre is scheduled to be complete by late summer of 2022.
As the project moves forward, information will continue to be shared with the community on our website and social media channels. For more information, please visit pittmeadows.ca/newfirehall.
-30-
For more information please contact:
Carolyn Baldridge,
Manager of Communications & Community Engagement
City of Pitt Meadows
cbaldridge@pittmeadows.ca