Letter from CREST re: Technology Renewal Project

March 12, 2018

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

Dear Mayor and Council,

In the interest of keeping our shareholders informed and up-to-date on the Capital Region’s emergency communications system, the following is a brief highlight of February’s board meeting.

As you know we are well underway on our technology renewal project. The “next generation” technology will replace the existing 15-year old radio system that currently serves 50 emergency response agencies within the Capital Region. The new radio system will be based on digital radio technology known as Project 25 (P25), which provides first responders with enhanced audio clarity and improved coverage among other operational and safety benefits.

Phase 1 build-out of sites in the core is complete and agency testing of the new system has been underway for 3 months. Field testing with users is imperative to allow them to experience and verify the coverage before and after. The feedback from agencies has been very positive. Once we are satisfied the new network is performing as per our contract, we then coordinate a cut-over with user agencies in the core. The cut-over process will be coordinated on an agency by agency basis, and typically takes place quite quickly. We anticipate the transition to occur during the 2nd and 3rd quarter of 2018.

Phase 2 (Westshore & Saanich Peninsula), Phase 3 (Gulf Islands & Pacific Rim) will follow the same pattern, with an expectation that the new system will be complete by mid-2019.

Site availability and build out are critical to the network timetable. Some of the sites in Phases 2 & 3 do not yet have final agreements in place. This is a priority over the coming months.

As the region grows, as density increases, and as buildings get taller, it is of upmost importance for the CREST Board that our region’s emergency communications system continues to respond optimally in a rapidly changing physical landscape. To avoid unintended, costly and serious pubic safety consequences, it would be prudent to have CREST work pro-actively with local government planning staff to help inform planning decisions thereby ensuring that new development allows for uninterrupted communications for emergency providers within new buildings. The process of engagement with municipal staff would consist of sharing of information, education and coordination. . CREST’s general manager will be touching base with your CAO to discuss ways of furthering this endeavor. Thank you in advance for your support. Stay tuned for further updates.

I have also enclosed a small primer booklet on CREST that you might find worthwhile. We will be updating this and redistributing to the incoming Councils later in 2018.

Please feel free to let general manager Gord Horth at ghorth@crest.ca or myself know if you would like more information on the work of CREST.

Sincerely,

Gordie Logan, Chair CREST