Dispatch services for Capital Region fire departments could be next to move into the CRDB次元官网网址檚 South Island E-Comm 911/Police Centre in Saanich.
All five Saanich representatives on the CRD board are behind a motion that proposes CRD staff run a feasibility study on creating a unified CRD fire department dispatch at the newly opened, ideally at the $13 million South Island E-Comm post-disaster thatB次元官网网址檚 up-and-running and handles 911 and police dispatch for 15 municipalities on the South Island.
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B次元官网网址淭his is a bold step by Saanich mayor and council to aid in the regionB次元官网网址檚 step forward towards a unified fire dispatch,B次元官网网址� said Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e suggesting a new regional fire dispatch provided at the South Island 911/Police Dispatch Centre. We believe thereB次元官网网址檚 capacity there and that itB次元官网网址檚 the most logical place to set up a regional fire dispatch.B次元官网网址�
CRD Board Chair and Saanich Coun. Colin Plant will bring the item to the table during the Wednesday morning CRD Planning and Protective Services Committee meeting. Representing Saanich on the bill are Haynes, Plant, and Couns. Susan Brice, Rebecca Mersereau, and Ned Taylor.
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The report says Saanich is prepared to release its current agreement with E-Comm and the right of first refusal in provision of E-Comm dispatch service agreements in the CRD. At the moment, that current agreement is on the technology side, B次元官网网址渢hrough E-CommB次元官网网址檚 computer-aided dispatch system developed for fire services,B次元官网网址� said Jasmine Bradley, spokesperson for EComm911.
E-Comm doesnB次元官网网址檛 provide fire dispatch services anywhere on Vancouver Island, she said.
Last year Colwood, Esquimalt, View Royal, North Saanich and Sidney let their fire dispatch contracts with Saanich expire and opted to go with Surrey. That decision came when Saanich announced that it would increase its charges to make up for a shortfall of actual costs.
The discussion to create a united dispatch service for CRD fire departments has lingered for years.
B次元官网网址淭his would be fair and equitable way for all players in the CRD,B次元官网网址� Haynes said. B次元官网网址淲e believe an integrated fire dispatch is in the best interest and safety and well being of all residents.B次元官网网址�
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The motion also would also consider the CRD compensate Saanich for its earlier investment in the setting up the post-disaster Saanich Emergency Services building at 770 Vernon Ave.
B次元官网网址淲e took on the investment that was needed to deliver that service, having it in place, we were able to offer it to other municipalities,B次元官网网址� Haynes said.
Saanich Fire currently operates both its own and Oak Bay FireB次元官网网址檚 dispatch out of the Saanich Emergency Services building at 770 Vernon Ave.
All 911 calls are directed to the new E-Comm Centre for Central Saanich, Oak Bay, Saanich and Victoria police departments and for 11 RCMP detachments in the central and southern Vancouver Island region. Each transitioned to the centre on a staggered schedule since Jan. 1 with Victoria Police phasing in on Jan. 22, Saanich and Oak Bay on Jan. 29, and other agencies, such as the South Island RCMP and Central Saanich on Feb. 5. Fire and ambulance services are re-directed from the centre to the appropriate dispatch.
The two-storey South Island E-Comm Centre in Commerce Circle has 70 employees at the moment with space on the dispatch floor.
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