Wanting to make a prudent decision, Chatham-Kent council told the fire, police and public works departments to get more information and other options for a new emergency services radio network.
Calling it a serious and critical issue, Chatham-Kent’s Emergency Communications Governance Committee was in front of Chatham-Kent council during a special meeting last night, asking council to spend $11 million over five years to upgrade the network. The committee made a recommendation to council to purchase a Public Safety Radio Network consisting of municipally owned infrastructure with operation conducted through a managed service provider.
Council voted 10-6 to refer the report and recommendation back to administration to provide more information and options and report back to council in January.
Councillor Aaron Hall, who brought in the motion to refer it back to staff for more information and options, said he thinks it’s prudent as council to get this right.
Calling it “a big step” councillor Steve Pinsonneault said it’s important to see the pros and cons of emergency services owning their own infrastructure.
Chatham-Kent fire, police, and public works rely on a radio system to support critical communications.
The current emergency services network has dealt with communications failures experienced by both fire and police on many occasions, which has posed a significant risk and liability issue for both front-line responders as well as the citizens of Chatham-Kent, according to a report to council.
Chatham-Kent Police Chief Gary Conn said it’s an issue that has to be corrected.
“I would say for the last 25 years, I would accurately say that we have been attempting to correct this via a band-aid approach. We can no longer sustain that, we can no longer continue in that fashion,” Conn said.