CEO Update
Aligned with E-Comm’s ongoing commitment to enhancing our overall level of redundancy, I am pleased to report that we have recently completed work on a new state-of-the-art data centre.
Because we live in an unpredictable world where natural disasters and other major events can strike at any given time, it remains a top priority for our organization to have a level of operational and technical redundancy in place to allow us to confidently support our partners.
The new data centre will increase our ability to provide safe and secure data services for our equipment and technology, including the technology that will support the radio system scheduled to start rolling out across the Lower Mainland in 2017. Our newly constructed redundant data centre is located in an area of the province deemed low-risk for earthquakes, providing even greater enhanced resiliency for the new radio system and increasing the radio network’s ability to provide agencies with seamless communications in the event of a major disaster affecting the Lower Mainland.
I’m also happy to report that Text with 9-1-1 services for people with hearing or speech impairments recently expanded throughout B.C.’s northern, central and southern interiors. E-Comm was the first 9-1-1 centre in Canada to offer this enhanced level of access to emergency services and we are pleased to expand it to more communities on behalf of our regional district partners. This specialized technology provides greater access to important lifelines for the hard-of-hearing community in the event of an emergency.
In other E-Comm news, I have an important update regarding the Next Generation Radio Program (NGRP). A major milestone was achieved earlier this fall, after E-Comm signed agreements with JVC KENWOOD Canada Inc., Motorola Solutions Canada and RELM Wireless Corporation for the provision of radios to be used on the new network. This marks the first time agencies will be able to choose radios from a range of products and price points that meet their specific requirements. First responders will start using these radios next year once agencies begin transitioning over to the new network in April. I’d like to thank and acknowledge all of our emergency services partners involved in the NGRP—we appreciate your expertise, counsel and continued support.
As this will be our final issue of e-communiqué in 2016, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season and a healthy and prosperous new year.
