CEO Update

I’m pleased to report that E-Comm staff and our public safety partners achieved a significant milestone in April as the first police and fire departments began operating on the new next generation radio network, which will grow to be the largest multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional digital radio system in B.C.

From the beginning our goal for this complex technological undertaking has been to ensure the highest-quality service to our partners through best-in-class technology, while remaining fiscally accountable to our radio shareholders. Through detailed planning and careful oversight, we are well on our way to realizing that goal. We understand an evolution such as this is a significant change for users—police officers, firefighters and paramedics—and our team remains committed to supporting agencies throughout the remaining transitions.

At the national level, two recent announcements are expected to directly shape the future of public safety communication in Canada. Following a yearlong consultation on improving public emergency communications services, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s landmark direction for telecom networks to update 9-1-1 infrastructure by 2020 will enable next generation capabilities such as texting to 9-1-1. Now that a timeline has been confirmed, public safety organizations, including E-Comm, can begin planning for the technological and operational changes that need to be considered as part of this modernization. A new federal task force was also announced to look at ways of implementing a potential new Public Safety Broadband Network. This new network will create a secure means for emergency responders to share information and communicate with each other using a high-speed wireless data communications network dedicated exclusively to public safety agencies. I invite you to read more about these important public safety initiatives in this issue of our newsletter. 

As this will be my final e-communiqué update before I retire, I would like to reiterate what a privilege it has been to be a part of E-Comm and work in support of B.C.’s police, fire and ambulance leadership and frontline personnel. But before I do, I would like to take the opportunity to recognize our Vice-President of Operations Doug Watson, who also recently announced his retirement. Doug has been with E-Comm for close to ten years and has been a tireless advocate for public safety and a champion for the benefits of E-Comm’s consolidated emergency communications model every step of the way. After 40 years of service to the telecommunications industry, he has earned his retirement and we know he will be missed by our Board, our staff and our partners across the province.

As I look back on my own time at E-Comm, what has become apparent is that at the heart of all public safety achievements are partnerships. It’s what sets British Columbia apart and what has allowed E-Comm and its partners to become the public safety leaders we are today.

A final thank you to our Board, partners and staff for your support, guidance and continued dedication to the vision of this organization. I wish you all continued success now and into the future.

2017-18 Board of Directors

At the Annual General Meeting June 22, E-Comm shareholders appointed the following individuals to the Board.

Doug Campbell
Independent Director, Board Chair

Councillor Bruce Bell
Cities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows

Becky Denlinger
Province of British Columbia

Barry Forbes
Independent Director

Mayor Jack Froese
Township of Langley, Cities of Surrey and White Rock

Lois Karr
RCMP

Anne Kinvig
Independent Director

Warren Lemcke
Vancouver Police Board

Neil Lilley
BC Emergency Health Services

Councillor Raymond Louie
Metro Vancouver

Jack McGee
Independent Police Boards (Abbotsford, New Westminster, Port Moody, Transit Police, West Vancouver)

Councillor Bill McNulty
City of Richmond

Paul Mochrie
City of Vancouver

Denise Nawata
Independent Director

Karl Preuss
Corporation of Delta / Delta Police Board

Mark Sieben
Province of British Columbia

Councillor Mary Trentadue
Belcarra, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody

Mayor Richard Walton
District of North Vancouver, City of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver, Village of Lions Bay

Terry Waterhouse
Cities of Surrey and White Rock, Township of Langley