By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A recommendation from administration to spend $11 million over the next five years to upgrade Chatham-Kent’s emergency radio network has been sent back to staff for further study.
In a 10-6 vote Nov. 20, council approved a motion from Wallaceburg Coun. Aaron Hall to seek more information on the proposal requesting that a report come back in the new year detailing any new recommendations or options.
The budget ask – brought forward by Chatham-Kent’s emergency communications governance committee – would see C-K purchase and own the network’s core infrastructure. Under the recommendation, the public safety radio network would be managed by an independent service provider.
Hall said it’s “prudent” to make sure council gets its right.
“I know we’re going to be looking at the numbers during budget again as well,” Hall said.
Chatham-Kent fire, police, and public works currently share the emergency system, which, since its inception in 1998, has provided less than ideal coverage – sometimes leaving gaps in service.
Five different options were examined by the committee, ranging from sharing services with other municipalities, to sharing a system with OPP and EMS, to leasing the equipment.
The motion sparked discussion on the merits of owning, rather than leasing equipment.
Chatham-Kent Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief Adam Walters told council that when exploring the options, the committee learned all of the 10 municipalities consulted own their own emergency radio infrastructure and contract the management of the service out.
Chatham-Kent Police Chief Gary Conn said the committee explored sharing the system that EMS and OPP use but the provincial government won’t allow that.
Conn told council upgrading the system is critical.
“We have dead areas within our municipality, so this has been occurring for the last 25 years. It really boils down to this posing a significant risk and liability for emergency responders,” Conn said. “So, it is imperative that we correct it.
“For the last 25 years, I would accurately say that we have been attempting to correct this via a Band-Aid approach,” Conn added. “We can no longer sustain that.”
Walters pointed out that the emergency network is a “critical piece of infrastructure” for the municipality, something Chatham-Kent needs to maintain for the future.
East Kent Coun. Steve Pinsonneault said council needs to see “what the pros and the cons are” of the municipality owning its own infrastructure, but noted it’s “probably a good idea.”
