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E-Comm Announces New Radios to Provide Enhanced Capabilities for Lower Mainland First Responders
Tuesday, September 20, 2016Company Profile | Follow Company
Police officers, firefighters and paramedics in the Lower Mainland will start to use new radios in 2017 that will be more effective and durable in challenging conditions and provide greater safety features for first responders.
Vancouver, BC, September 20, 2016--(T-Net)--E-Comm—Emergency Communications for British Columbia Incorporated—announced that it has signed agreements with JVCKENWOOD Canada Inc., Motorola Solutions Canada and RELM Wireless Corporation for the provision of radio equipment to be used by first responders on a new digital P25 regional emergency communications radio system currently in development by E-Comm and its public safety partners.
Among the key features: Greater reliability, water immersion resistance, radio monitoring (enabling dispatchers to remotely activate radio microphones for improved responder safety), noise-cancelling technology to reduce background sounds and allow responders to be heard more clearly in noisy environments, increased security, GPS tracking, an expanded range of accessories and the ability to add new features through software upgrades in the future.
For the first time, emergency service agencies will also have their choice of radios from multiple pre-qualified vendors, providing them with the opportunity to choose from a range of products and price points that meet their specific requirements.
“There is a tremendous benefit in having agencies choose radio equipment that uniquely suits their needs,” explains Richmond Fire Chief John McGowan, chair of the radio user working group (composed of senior representatives from police, fire and ambulance services) that is collaborating with E-Comm in overseeing the radio system replacement. “The type of radio, its specific technology features and the manner in which radios are used, can differ between police, fire and ambulance agencies.”
For example, Chief McGowan says that larger radios are more desirable for firefighters who wear bulky protective gear such as gloves and jackets. Radios also need to be extra rugged to operate in firefighting conditions (i.e. waterproof); whereas police may prefer smaller, lighter radios that have longer battery life during extended events.
“Being able to choose customized options means first responders are getting the best tools to do their jobs,” Chief McGowan adds.
The planned replacement of E-Comm's radio system—known as the Next Generation Radio Program—is a multi-year initiative to replace the entire regional radio network currently used by all police departments and BC Emergency Health Services in Metro Vancouver and Abbotsford, in addition to 12 fire departments in Metro Vancouver.
The new network will be based on digital radio technology known as Project 25 (P25) in the 700 MHz band, an open standard that public-safety agencies across North America have widely adopted and that has been endorsed by the Lower Mainland emergency services community.
E-Comm President and CEO David Guscott echoed Chief McGowan's comments about the benefit of providing agencies with options for radios. “What it all comes down to is what's best for the public safety community—helping first responders to be able to provide the highest level of service by ensuring they have the right radios at their disposal. I'm pleased to have such a wide variety of options available for our partners.”
Master Standing Offer agreements with JVCKENWOOD Canada Inc., Motorola Solutions Canada and RELM Wireless Corporation were signed following a Request for Proposal from pre-qualified vendors earlier in the year. Leading up to the signed agreements, a comprehensive technical evaluation of proposals and series of conformance tests were undertaken to ensure radios met the technical requirements of operating on the new P25 network. Selection of vendors occurred following evaluation and due-diligence assessment of proposals using a rigorous methodology incorporating independent external oversight.
The new radio network is scheduled to be fully rolled out across Metro Vancouver and Abbotsford by early 2018.
About E-Comm
E-Comm operates the largest multi-jurisdictional, tri-service emergency radio system in the province and is the largest 9-1-1 call centre in British Columbia, handling approximately 1.35 million emergency calls per year for Metro Vancouver and 24 other regional districts and communities spanning from Vancouver Island to Alberta and from the U.S. border, to north of Prince George. E-Comm also provides call-taking and dispatch services to 35 police and fire departments in southwest B.C. For more information visit https://ecomm911.ca/.
Media Contacts:
E-Comm 9-1-1
Jody Robertson
604-215-4956
jody.robertson@ecomm911.ca
JVCKENWOOD Canada Inc.
Thomas Kingston
905-670-7211
tkingston@ca.jvckenwood.com
Motorola Solutions, Inc.
Chantal Montsion
1-847-668-3050
chantal.montsion@motorolasolutions.com
RELM Wireless Corporation
Tim Vitou
321-984-1414
tvitou@relm.com