Correspondence: CREST's Significant Milestones Synopsis

May 31, 2022

Town of View Royal 45 View Royal Avenue BC V9B 1A6

Dear Mayor Screech & Council,

In the interest of keeping our Shareholders and agencies informed and up-to-date on the Capital Region’s emergency communications system, the following is a synopsis of recent significant milestones.

CREST’s Digital P25 Network is performing optimally:

As you are aware, we concluded our technology upgrade to a digital P25 network in 2020. This renewal project was completed on time and on budget, and the new network is considered a world standard in public safety telecommunications.

CREST handled more transmissions in 2021 than in our organization’s twenty-year history, and the P25 system responded seamlessly 24/7. Transmissions on the CREST system increased by almost 70 per cent, while the percentage of busy signals decreased. This surge in network utilization was a testament to the performance strength, reliability, and enhanced capacity capabilities of the new CREST system, and a reflection of the extraordinary dedication and resilience of our region’s emergency services personnel who have been on the front lines dealing with the complex impacts of the COVID-19 health pandemic.

Responding to growth:

We are currently in the process of strengthening the coverage in our more rural locations on the Pacific Rim and the Gulf Islands. Emergency service agencies are experiencing significant increases in demands due to the rise in popularity of recreational backcountry activities, population growth and traffic volumes along developing tourism corridors. We are building a number of new sites along Highway 14 that will extend the service from beyond Shirley out to Port Renfrew, and we are also adding a new transmission site on Saltspring Island.

Emergency telecommunications services designed for our unique island geography:

• Ensuring the Capital Region can be self-reliant in the event of a natural disaster
• Protecting our region’s public safety telecommunications assets

During our Strategic Planning session, the CREST Board confirmed the highest risk to CREST was the lack of a post disaster building to consolidate, preserve and safeguard critical infrastructure and resources (both equipment and personnel). As a result of climate change, windstorms and wildfires and atypical events such as floods, tornados and earthquakes are on the rise. The world is becoming increasingly hazardous and there is more reliance than ever on the first responders that serve their communities.

The CREST Board and its Shareholders have made the decision to build a post disaster building that will preserve and safeguard critical emergency communications infrastructure and resources for first responders in the region. The project is estimated to cost $16M.

It’s critical that our region’s public safety technology and infrastructure remains intact and operational every day – and especially in times of greatest need. It simply makes sense to protect our investment, and to give confidence to our first responders and the public that CREST is prepared and will be there in the event of a natural disaster.

Ensuring optimal performance of the P25 network and continued fiscal sustainability underly CREST’s strategic priorities:

I am also very pleased to share the CREST 2021 Annual Report which can be found on our website at – CREST 2021 Annual Report The report provides a profile of our progress and accomplishments, together with service delivery results and financial highlights.

I am happy to answer any question you might have through email or a cell call. I hope you, your families, and colleagues are well.

Sincerely,

Tim Morrison CREST Chair

Cc: CAO kanema@viewroyal.ca Chief Constable Todd.Preston@rcmp-grc.gc.ca Fire Chief phurst@viewroyal.ca