Fire Hall tower site analysis and rationale
Executive summary and analysis by CREST regarding the selection and placement of a new 47-meter emergency communications tower at the View Royal Fire Hall.
To: Mayor and Council Meeting date: May 30, 2018 Prepared by: Gord Horth, CREST General Manager Preparation date: June 5, 2018 Subject: Fire Hall tower site analysis and rationale
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
CREST has provided emergency communications for police, fire and ambulance throughout the CRD since 2003. We are undertaking a major network upgrade which included adding more sites throughout the region.
A View Royal site we would like to develop, as part of our upgrade program, would be at the Fire Hall/Public Safety Building. We believe a new site there would offer significant coverage enhancements to the “Choices” facility where Westshore RCMP are often called upon to attend, as well as Six mile pub and an expanded casino. Currently communications are difficult in this area due to the facility being situated in a low area between current CREST towers.
We also understand that local ham operators could also benefit using the new tower if we designed it accordingly to accommodate them. We have taken that step.
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Site selection
Prior to selecting the fire hall site, CREST reviewed 4 possible sites that could meet our primary objective of coverage improvements for known problems areas identified by police, fire, and our own analysis. Those sites were:
- View Royal Fire Hall
- Victoria General Hospital
- Eagle Creek Development
- Nursery Hill Park
Factors were ranked from 1-5 (five being the best)
The table shows the Fire Hall achieving the highest score.
| Sites | Appropriate coverage gains | Links to other sites in the cell | Appropriate zoning | Power available | Generator available | Community Amenity | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Creek Development | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 17 |
| Victoria General Hospital | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 21 |
| View Royal Fire Hall | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 30 |
| Nursery Hill Park | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
Height
The pole needs to be 47 m to “see” other sites in the same cell (see coverage map at the back). The existing mature fir trees adjacent to the fire hall are 35 meters tall.
Site placement
CREST hired an arborist to examine options for the tower placement. A copy of his report is attached. Our structural engineer prefers option 2 as this area is the most stable. Option 1 has more fractured bedrock due to earlier construction activity associated with building the fire hall. Option 3 endangers existing trees and extends cable cabling runs from the fire hall (so costs to CREST and the ham operator community).
Coverage
Coverage gains provided by the new site is illustrated on the map at the back. The View Royal Hall site provides coverage between existing or new sites that form part of the “Westshore Cell”.
Pubic Engagement
CREST provided neighborhood leaflets, 2 open houses, newspapers advertisements, and a dedicated website to advise and inform the public. Of the people that attended the open house, or phoned to discuss the project I believe they came away understanding the public safety need, and that the project had been carefully assessed.
Cost
CREST is in the process of building or retrofitting over 30 sites in the region, as part of our network upgrade. This site is one of most costly (around $300,000) of which that capital cost is shared amongst all of our agencies. The View Royal levy is less than 1% of our total requisition, so View Royal’s contribution to the new pole is about $3000.
Health and Safety
Health Canada’s Safety Code 6 regulations are applicable to this, and all telecommunications sites. Safety Code 6 seeks to limit the public’s exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and ensures public safety for all Canadians.
CONCLUSION
CREST has worked closely with View Royal for 15 years providing emergency communications for police and fire departments. CREST is committed to working with View Royal and the community in improving public safety radio communications, as well as important ham coverage equipment.
We respectfully request Council grant us permission to build a 47 meter emergency communications tower at the Fire Hall, along with related infrastructure.
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