Intellgence2008
Member
The Maritime provinces are get*ting a $100-million integrated emergency mobile radio system, the first partnership of its kind in Canada.
The upgraded voice and data system will replace aging tech*nology used by first responders such as police and fire depart*ments. And for the first time, it will link Nova Scotia, New Bruns*wick and Prince Edward Island.
The three provinces operate separate, incompatible emergency radio systems.
“When we talk about infra*structure, I know people often think of bridges and roads and buildings, but a sophisticated communications infrastructure is vitally important for emergency responders in the Maritime prov*inces," federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Monday while in Halifax to announce Ottawa’s portion of the funding.
“This new system will save lives."
The federal government will contribute up to $50 million for the program, with the private sector and the provinces divvying up the rest.
Flaherty said it is the first pro*ject to be funded under the PPP Canada program. The federal initiative fosters public-private partnerships between govern*ments and industry.
Steve Graham, the deputy com*missioner of the RCMP in Atlantic Canada and the commanding officer for Nova Scotia, said the upgraded system will allow emer*gency personnel to “communicate across agencies and across bound*aries."
But Graham said it was too early to say if the RCMP will change its operations when one radio system can be used through*out the region.
Along with fire and police de*partments, the new system will also be used by emergency med*ical personnel, search and rescue groups, and federal and provincial agencies.
Transportation and Infra*structure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks said he expects the provincial part of the system to be upgraded soon.
“Hopefully, we’ll have a new and improved system up in the next number of months."
Doug Currie, P.E.I.’s attorney general, was also at the announce*ment.
The upgraded voice and data system will replace aging tech*nology used by first responders such as police and fire depart*ments. And for the first time, it will link Nova Scotia, New Bruns*wick and Prince Edward Island.
The three provinces operate separate, incompatible emergency radio systems.
“When we talk about infra*structure, I know people often think of bridges and roads and buildings, but a sophisticated communications infrastructure is vitally important for emergency responders in the Maritime prov*inces," federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Monday while in Halifax to announce Ottawa’s portion of the funding.
“This new system will save lives."
The federal government will contribute up to $50 million for the program, with the private sector and the provinces divvying up the rest.
Flaherty said it is the first pro*ject to be funded under the PPP Canada program. The federal initiative fosters public-private partnerships between govern*ments and industry.
Steve Graham, the deputy com*missioner of the RCMP in Atlantic Canada and the commanding officer for Nova Scotia, said the upgraded system will allow emer*gency personnel to “communicate across agencies and across bound*aries."
But Graham said it was too early to say if the RCMP will change its operations when one radio system can be used through*out the region.
Along with fire and police de*partments, the new system will also be used by emergency med*ical personnel, search and rescue groups, and federal and provincial agencies.
Transportation and Infra*structure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks said he expects the provincial part of the system to be upgraded soon.
“Hopefully, we’ll have a new and improved system up in the next number of months."
Doug Currie, P.E.I.’s attorney general, was also at the announce*ment.
