Traditionally, first responders operate in silos, with each department responsible for running its own network. This can hinder the interoperability needed in times of significant emergency situations or disasters.
On July 1, 2016, the Alberta First Responder Radio Communications System (AFRRCS) was fully activated. This is a province wide APCO Project 25 (P25) trunked two-way radio network for first responders in municipal, provincial and First Nations agencies. The AFRRCS system also carries all the radio traffic of the various government agencies that currently use wireless/radio communications, including Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, sheriffs, Alberta Health Services, as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
The system uses a mix of 700 MHz (digital trunking), and, in some areas such as mountainous terrains and similar regions, a “VHF overlay” involving non-trunked-conventional- P25 VHF-hi (136-174) frequencies. The system, which cost $438 million121, not only enables a fully coordinated joint response among first responders from different agencies, it also reduces the cost of radio system infrastructure. Participation in AFRRCS by first responder agencies is voluntary and costs the province an additional $17 million yearly in upkeep and rental cost for the towers. Municipalities and their agencies (and wireless providers) have access to the towers for free, but have to pay for the radios and equipment needed to access the network122.
References
121Alberta Government. New first responder radio system launching July 1 will better protect Albertans, 23 June 2016. Accessed 11 March 2021.
122CBC. New radio system that played ‘lifesaving role’ in Fort McMurray launched across Alberta, 24 June 2016. Accessed 11 March 2021.