new radio network

Throughout 2017, nearly 30 agencies—including police, fire and ambulance—successfully moved to the Next Generation Radio Program (NGRP) network.

“On behalf of the E-Comm Board, I want to extend my congratulations and thanks to the NGRP team for all of its success in 2017,” said E-Comm Board Chair Doug Campbell. “Having been involved in many significant technology and change projects over the years, I know what a challenge it is to get a project of this magnitude done on time and on budget and the NGRP team is doing both. I am impressed with the diligence of the planning, attention to detail and quality of execution, as well as with the collaboration with our partner agencies.”

“This is an exciting day for the ambulance service. The radios are better than we had before.”

Blake Kendon,
BCEHS District Manager

BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) began communicating on the new network on November 20. The first ambulance in the Lower Mainland equipped with the new radios left Station 248 in downtown Vancouver with BCEHS District Manager Blake Kendon making the first broadcast over the new system. “This is an exciting day for the ambulance service,” he said. As the overnight crews came off their shift at the station—one of the busiest in the province—the daytime ambulance crews picked up their new radios and headed out. “Everyone seemed to pick up on it,”  added Kendon. “The radios are better than we had before.”

On November 2, three fire departments on the North Shore, along with Lions Bay Fire Rescue, migrated to the NGRP. “This is a huge day for the West Vancouver Fire Department and across the North Shore, not only for the interoperability that we’re going to see throughout the region, but also for the safety of our firefighters,” said Chief Randy Heath of West Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services. He added the clarity of the new radio system will allow “for fewer mistakes on the ground.” North Vancouver City Fire Department Chief Dan Pistilli also had high praise for E-Comm staff members for their help in completing the transition. “We couldn’t have done it without all their expertise. We are grateful for everyone at E-Comm for their support in the process.”

After more than a year of planning, Wayne Kennedy, Deputy Fire Chief for the District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services said the transition was completed seamlessly. “It went without a hitch, so we’re excited. Thanks to all the guys at E-Comm for their help.”

“We couldn’t have done it without all their expertise. We are grateful for everyone at E-Comm for their support in the process.”

Chief Dan Pistilli,
North Vancouver City Fire Department

Also in November, both Surrey and White Rock RCMP detachments switched to the new radio system. The Transit Police Department also moved to the NGRP network at the end of that month. The Abbotsford Police Department transitioned in December.

The first quarter of 2018 wraps up all NGRP transitions with Coquitlam Fire/Rescue, Richmond Fire-Rescue, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services and Delta Fire and Emergency Services.