Some major upgrades are on the way to Ontario’s public safety communications network, with both the government and emergency personnel praising the positive impact it will have on operations.
A request for proposals has gone out to modernize Ontario’s aging public safety communications infrastructure with the goal to have the project completed province-wide by 2023.
Hastings-Quinte EMS Chief Doug Socha says with his paramedics working in an area that shares a boundary with Northumberland County, a new system will help the communication between both agencies.
He says a new radio system will have a similar impact as the successfel Auto Vehicle Locator pilot project that was run recently.
Prince Edward County Fire Chief Scott Manlow says it gives his department more options when it comes to how communications are handled.
Belleville Police Chief Ron Gignac says even though his service has its own radio system, the new improvements will still make a big difference.
MPP Todd Smith, who made the announcement at the Hastings-Quinte Paramedics Headquarters on Millennium Parkway in Belleville, says a new digital tower is planned for Picton, with another one in southern Hastings County.
He says the improvements will support 38,000 front-line and dispatch personnel across Ontario by providing state of the art equipment.
Smith adds that while the government knows the project will be expensive and no exact cost will be announced until after the RFP process is complete, he feels the price of making communication easier for emergency personnel is well worth the expense.
