Fire departments will receive more telecommunications equipment as part of provincial investments in New Brunswick’s 911 system.
Officials say departments will receive more trunked mobile radios as part of the provincial government’s $1.5 million regional fire dispatch project, part of the NB911 system.
The increase of two radios per fire service is in addition to seven previously provided.
“Everyone in the first-responder community will tell you communication is crucial during an emergency,” said New Brunswick Public Safety Minister Kris Austin in a news release.
“They will also tell you it becomes more complicated when multiple groups are involved.”
Austin said the New Brunswick Trunked Mobile Radio Network allows first responders to communicate and work with staff from other authorized responding agencies in real time.
Mike Lewis, New Brunswick’s fire marshal, called the radios “live-saving tools.”
“Anything that helps us communicate more effectively enables us to better protect our communities. This is a significant investment in our fire service,” said Lewis in a news release.
“At several thousand dollars apiece, providing these radios free of charge allows our fire departments to reallocate their resources towards other areas, such as equipment or training.”