Cost of running network decreases
[size=+2] Cost of running network decreases [/size]
BY HEATHER POLISCHUK, THE LEADER-POST NOVEMBER 26, 2009
Talk just got cheaper for volunteer and other rural fire departments that had been worried an upcoming radio system changeover was either going to burn them financially or leave them out in the cold.
By the end of next year, a new public safety radio telecommunications network will be fully operational and close to 2,200 public safety workers from across the province -- including fire, police and EMS -- are expected to make the switch from SaskTel's disappearing FleetNet system. The new network is being built on the existing SaskPower/RCMP system at a cost of $130 million.
The new system is meant to connect emergency services from across the province, but the downfall has been cost. Each radio is estimated to cost $5,000 and the system operating cost per month per radio is $90 -- a far cry from the $29 to $38 users had been paying.
"The system needs to allow all users to be able to talk to one another," Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister Yogi Huyghebaert said Wednesday. "This capacity becomes vitally important during large emergencies, particularly (those) that occur in rural Saskatchewan ... It was made very clear to us by many users -- particularly local fire services in rural Saskatchewan -- (that) they do not have the financial capacity to pay the full costs of the monthly operating fee."
Huyghebaert said a solution has been found, including raising 9-1-1 fees to 83 cents per month -- an increase of 24 cents. The additional 24 cents mean monthly operating cost drops to $40 per month per radio.
Huyghebaert added that 1,610 radios will be provided free to non-government agencies based on need and ability to pay, at a cost to the province of $4.5 million. He told reporters agencies are expected to receive two radios, although some may need more and others less.
David Marit, president of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, said rural fire departments can now look forward to the changeover with less worry. The fact rural agencies don't have to pay as much per month and will receive two radios means they have to raise far less money for new equipment.
"I heard it from our membership that two will work (in many communities) and in some cases they may need a third, so the communities are getting together and saying, 'OK, if we do need a third, we'll share that cost,' " he said.
"That makes a big difference."
Marit said the new system will also help cut back on cases where multiple rural fire departments or other agencies spent time and money responding to emergencies when, in fact, it turned out they weren't needed.
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post
[size=+2] Cost of running network decreases [/size]
BY HEATHER POLISCHUK, THE LEADER-POST NOVEMBER 26, 2009
Talk just got cheaper for volunteer and other rural fire departments that had been worried an upcoming radio system changeover was either going to burn them financially or leave them out in the cold.
By the end of next year, a new public safety radio telecommunications network will be fully operational and close to 2,200 public safety workers from across the province -- including fire, police and EMS -- are expected to make the switch from SaskTel's disappearing FleetNet system. The new network is being built on the existing SaskPower/RCMP system at a cost of $130 million.
The new system is meant to connect emergency services from across the province, but the downfall has been cost. Each radio is estimated to cost $5,000 and the system operating cost per month per radio is $90 -- a far cry from the $29 to $38 users had been paying.
"The system needs to allow all users to be able to talk to one another," Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister Yogi Huyghebaert said Wednesday. "This capacity becomes vitally important during large emergencies, particularly (those) that occur in rural Saskatchewan ... It was made very clear to us by many users -- particularly local fire services in rural Saskatchewan -- (that) they do not have the financial capacity to pay the full costs of the monthly operating fee."
Huyghebaert said a solution has been found, including raising 9-1-1 fees to 83 cents per month -- an increase of 24 cents. The additional 24 cents mean monthly operating cost drops to $40 per month per radio.
Huyghebaert added that 1,610 radios will be provided free to non-government agencies based on need and ability to pay, at a cost to the province of $4.5 million. He told reporters agencies are expected to receive two radios, although some may need more and others less.
David Marit, president of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, said rural fire departments can now look forward to the changeover with less worry. The fact rural agencies don't have to pay as much per month and will receive two radios means they have to raise far less money for new equipment.
"I heard it from our membership that two will work (in many communities) and in some cases they may need a third, so the communities are getting together and saying, 'OK, if we do need a third, we'll share that cost,' " he said.
"That makes a big difference."
Marit said the new system will also help cut back on cases where multiple rural fire departments or other agencies spent time and money responding to emergencies when, in fact, it turned out they weren't needed.
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post
Redwood has spent the past 2 years buying a mobile radio or two every year, one per truck. They are XTL5000 Motorola radios, and while they do cost about $5k apiece, they offer the ability to be used on Calgary's trunk system now, and easily reprogrammed to the P25 system in the future (providing it is a true P25 system, which it should be). We should have all of our mobiles by the time the P25 system comes live. I don't know if there is a radio that does "normal" EDACS and P25, so people on the FleetNet system might have issues, and people using conventional VHF or UHF will definitely not be able to use this plan. Just something to think about.
