I am the Senior Dispatcher for Fire Dispatch, located in Penticton and am responsible for our Communications system. The cost savings for the bids that are thrown around are incorrect; Penticton’s bid included MANY more things than the other three did; in fact many of our duties are impossible to be performed remotely. The bids were apples and oranges. This needs to be looked at more thoroughly before any contract is signed.  My other concern is that the RDOS received three bids, from centres all proposing to use ROIP (radio over I.P.) instead of radio linking the various Fire Departments. This system requires extremely stable and “secure” internet frameworks; NOT your standard Shaw or Telus connections. Our radio tech has advised me that it simply will NOT work in some areas of the Rural areas and will require major upgrades (at who’s expense)? This will also take much time, as these types of internet systems are not in place as yet. The type of system required for “Public Safety Agencies” like Police and Fire is a much higher standard than the home end user has for basic internet. Alberta has achieved this in some areas but B.C. is far behind; though it is coming along. I am shocked, saddened and dismayed that ANY R.D.O.S. director would vote for such a system without insisting on proper evaluation and testing of all areas of the Region. The FIRST thing to go down during a major power outage or disaster IS the internet; thats why the types of systems I am mentioning here have to be so vastly different and secure. Our present uhf radio linking system works well and is fully backed up. Until the internet is perfected, and higher standards achieved, I shudder to see dispatch consider going this route. An “unknown” figure for upgrading is scarey and when Revelstoke recently went to remote dispatching, they were forced to incur over $700,000 in costs to meet the requirements of Surrey Fire. There are far too many UNknowns existing right now; I say its time to hold the phone here and re-evaluate the entire proposal. Something is seriously wrong here. Let the people have a say in this; even the fire departments themselves had little to no input. Don’t even get me started on the “local knowledge” issue; that’s a no brainer and invaluable. I say hold off until Fall and hold a referendum along with the November Elections. The people had a say (referendum) to bring IN 9-1-1; now they deserve the same input when the possibly of removing this service is discussed. Please contact your Regional Director and voice your concerns.

Allan C.L. Stark