Maple Ridge, B.C. – Firefighters in Maple Ridge are now communicating on the E-Comm Wide-Area Radio Network, the largest emergency radio network in British Columbia.
Maple Ridge Fire Rescue officially cut over to the radio network at 1000hrs on June 28, 2022, meaning firefighters in the community are now able to seamlessly communicate with other emergency service agencies including Ridge Meadows RCMP and BC Ambulance Service. With top-of-the-line radio equipment, firefighters, police officers and paramedics can all talk to each other on the same channels. This increased interoperability between first responders ultimately enhances the emergency response capabilities for the safety of both the public and Maple Ridge firefighters.
“Community and first responder safety is of paramount importance,” said Mayor Mike Morden of Maple Ridge. “Adding interagency cross-communication on updated radios on a clear and secure 24-hour network will go further to save lives and property.”
E-Comm’s radio network provides Maple Ridge firefighters with stronger and wider radio coverage, greater clarity, improved reliability and enhanced security features through an earthquake-resistant infrastructure. The fully encrypted P25 network also better protects the privacy of the public, as first responders often need to communicate necessary personal and private information over the radio.
“Radios are a lifeline for first responders,” said Michael Van Dop, chief of Maple Ridge Fire Rescue. “Joining the E-Comm radio network gives us access to the best equipment and clear and reliable radio channels. This transition will have a tremendous impact on how firefighters do their jobs and their ability to keep themselves and the community safe.”
“This latest move expands E-Comm’s public safety partnership with Maple Ridge,” said Oliver Grüter-Andrew, E-Comm President and CEO. “We already provide 9-1-1 call answer and police dispatch services to the community and are pleased to welcome Maple Ridge Fire and Rescue to the radio network. We know firefighters will benefit from being on the system as they respond to complex issues in challenging environments.”
Spanning from Lions Bay to Abbotsford, more than 40 police, fire, ambulance and municipal agencies are using the E-Comm Wide-Area Radio Network. The network has about 13,000 active or available radios. In 2021, radio system users made nearly 54 million transmissions on the network.
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About E-Comm
E-Comm is the first point of contact for 9-1-1 callers in 25 regional districts in British Columbia and provides dispatch services for more than 70 police agencies and fire departments across the province. E‐Comm also owns and operates the largest multi‐jurisdictional, tri‐service, wide‐area radio network in the province used by police, fire and ambulance personnel throughout Metro Vancouver and parts of the Fraser Valley.
Media Contacts
E-Comm
Dolly Loi
Communications Specialist
[email protected]
604-215-6248
City of Maple Ridge
Fred Armstrong
Manager of Community Engagement and Relations
[email protected]
604-476-7452