Fire simulations

As dispatch provider for 35 police and fire departments, E-Comm participates in a number of emergency response exercises as a means of providing its partners and staff with the opportunity to test operational processes and practise emergency plans.

And over the summer, E-Comm and its dispatch partner of eleven years, New Westminster Fire & Rescue Services (NWFRS), took these exercises to the next level by creating a series of unique simulations that allowed participants to operate under more realistic circumstances.

Four exercises were created based on a number of rapidly changing, large-scale fire scenarios and for the first time, these exercises were carried out using ‘live’ dispatch channels and phone lines. This was a unique departure from past exercises that focussed on supporting boots on the ground by using replica channels and systems.

“The advantage of having E-Comm dispatch be an active part of the exercises was that it allowed participants to respond as if it were an actual event happening in real time,” explained NWFRS Chief Tim Armstrong. “Everyone played out each scenario as if it was actually unfolding; we even had dispatchers make call-outs to neighbouring fire departments to request mutual-aid in order to help determine how quickly we could secure back-up.” Chief Armstrong added it was an opportunity to fine-tune systems and processes from the ground up and gave everyone a realistic impression of what it would be like to respond to a major fire.

“The advantage of having E-Comm dispatch be an active part of the exercises was that it allowed participants to respond as if it were an actual event happening in real time.”

Chief Tim Armstrong,
New Westminster Fire & Rescue Services

At NWFRS, the Incident Commander used a screen to simulate a fire and make the exercise more authentic and participants were able to communicate using ‘live’ channels just as they would in an actual event. From answering emergency calls and setting up radio talk groups, to responding to a trapped firefighter, the simulations detailed all facets of an emergency.

“We were able to showcase E-Comm’s ability to support our partners during a number of complicated fire scenarios,” said E-Comm Fire Dispatch Manager Jennifer Gjaltema. “Not only are we better prepared for serious emergencies moving forward, but we learned some new things regarding how we can advance our current communications processes.”

Gjaltema added that E-Comm is committed to ensuring the right tools and processes are in place to best support its fire dispatch partners and welcomes the opportunity to work with other departments on similar exercises in the future.