INNISFAIL – The town’s peace officers and firefighters are moving into the Alberta First Responders Radio Communication System (AFRRCS), an advanced two-way radio network for first responders in municipal, provincial and First Nations agencies across the province.
The town’s inclusion in AFRRCS, which replaces the old VHF communications system and became operational in the province in July, 2016, will be a partnership with Red Deer County, which is administrating the new system, and the Lacombe Police Service, which is the monitoring service for the town’s community peace officers (CPOs).
Gary Leith, the town's manager of fire and protective services, presented a report to town council last month that outlined the new system and communications plan for local firefighters and community peace officers.
Following Leith’s report, council approved an agreement between Innisfail and the Lacombe Police Service, as well as a second one with Red Deer County.
Council also greenlighted an expenditure of $55,000, which will include the cost for new AFRRCS system equipment, which look like hand held radios.
Through his report to council Leith noted Red Deer County is planning to move onto AFRRCS in 2021 with the City of Red Deer, Mountain View County, Olds, Clearwater County, with Blackfalds already being on AFRRACS, and Sylvan lake joining in 2022, with their CPOs already on the network.
Council was told Red Deer County has completed its fleet map and has channel sharing agreements signed with neighbouring and partnering agencies, and is ready for Innisfail to sign on for enforcement and fire services.
Leith said moving away from the old VHF system will reduce the cost of radio system infrastructure, remove troublesome reception dead spots, give community peace officers and firefighters secure encryption of channels, and integrate radio communication among first responders from different agencies.
Leith also noted that community peace officers have been working with a “patchwork” of regional communication systems, and that the new combined approach will create a positive and safer working environment.
However, the system will not include two-way communication traffic with the Innisfail RCMP. In April 2019, lnnisfail RCMP moved to AFRRCS on encrypted channels. The previous VHF system shared channels with both fire department and community peace officers (CPO) but the current RCMP K Division policy currently no longer allows channel sharing.
“Our access previously when we were on the VHS system was a lot less secure and people could actually use scanners on the old system and tie into that radio communications system and pull information out of it. This system does not allow you to do that,” said Leith, adding the AFRRCS will still benefit when CPOs need to work with all emergency responders, including the RCMP.
"If there is a major incident, like one on the highway, the incident commander can order a specific channel for the incident that all parties, including RCMP, CPOs, fire and EMS, can use for communications,” said Leith, emphasizing the new system allows multiple agencies to talk on the same radio whereas previously they all had different systems.
Leith noted that under the old system during a routine traffic stop a peace officer could run a vehicle plate but the only information he would get would be the name of the registered owner. But with direct communication with the Lacombe Police Service, Innisfail’s CPOs will be able to get more information and faster, including any outstanding warrants, or if the vehicle is stolen or whether there is any potential risk.
“They (CPOs) will be able to use the system through their radios or their vehicle’s computer terminal,” he said.
Leith said he expects all hardware for the new AFRRCS to arrive in Innisfail by the summer of 2021, with the town’s first responders working with the new system shortly after.
