A radio upgrade will help Langley City and Township firefighters communicate more clearly.
As of late May, Langley City Fire Rescue and Bylaw Enforcement officers, and Langley Township Fire Department, have completed the transition to the new E-Comm 700 Mhz wide area radio network.
“The E-Comm radio network provides first responders with significant safety improvements through increased area coverage and audio quality,” said City fire chief Rory Thompson. “Prior to the changeover, City fire and bylaw staff used a single repeater on top of Cascades Casino. There were areas in the City where first responders had limited radio coverage. Often, crews had to exit a building in order to reach our dispatch. The new radio system has solid coverage across the whole city. Apartment block parkades and elevator shafts no longer limit our radio coverage.”
“For the first time, police, fire and ambulance responders can talk to each other about the same incident,” said City Mayor Ted Schaffer. “This will enhance the City’s ability to cohesively respond to any emergency including a large scale disaster.”
“We have been looking forward to this for a long time,” 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. “Being 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.”
The E-Comm operates the largest multi-agency public safety radio network in British Columbia. The radio system consists of seismically reinforced radio sites across Greater Vancouver and has portable trailers for emergency use. The system serves 19 municipalities in Greater Vancouver including the RCMP and BC Ambulance Service.
“Our firefighters work in all kinds of extreme conditions as they protect people, property, and the environment, and the radio is literally a lifeline,” said Township Mayor and E-Comm director Jack Froese. “Ensuring 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.”
