Halton finds a partner for the new broadband communications network: Peel Region will join.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

December 13th, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

 

A number of months ago the Halton Regional Police made the decision to invest in an advanced broadband communications network. It was not a cheap decision and the Region went in alone on the investment hoping at the time that other members of the public safety cohort would come aboard.

Yesterday the Peel Regional Police decided to join Halton Regional Police Service Public Safety Broadband Network

In support of ongoing innovative efforts to enhance both officer and public safety across the Regions of Halton and Peel, Peel Regional Police is joining the Halton Regional Police Service’s Public Safety Broadband Network. Halton and Peel Regions are home to some of the fastest growing communities in Canada. This growth demands an investment in new reliable data infrastructure to enhance emergency response. This is crucial in the minutes and seconds that help save lives during emergencies.

HRPS Motorola system

Deputy Chief Nishan Duraiappah, and IT Manager Bill Payne viewing an officer’s mobile workstation.

“Growing Canada’s first public safety wireless communications network, a network for first responders only, will benefit Canadians for generations to come. We are thrilled to have Peel Regional Police sign on to the Halton Public Safety Broadband Network core.

“With the advent of newly mandated Next-Gen 911 services in Canada, data is becoming more important than ever in 911 emergency response. Halton’s new Public Safety Broadband Network helps emergency services teams to more efficiently and effectively respond to crisis situations with access to key data in order to cut minutes and seconds off response times, which directly translates to more saved lives.

“Expanding this network through collaboration with neighbouring agencies across Ontario is about doing the right thing for public safety — providing stable, critical infrastructure not only in times of crisis but for day-to-day use,” said Deputy Chief Nishan Duraiappah. “We are proud to join forces with Peel Regional Police and Motorola Solutions in taking the initial critical steps to making the Ontario PSBN a reality. We invite all interested agencies and municipalities to join the conversation.”

The Peel Regional Police said they are ” proud to collaborate with our counterparts in Halton Region. This initiative will allow us to build the infrastructure to better enable us to meet the growing demand for seamless emergency response,” said Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief David Jarvis. “Cutting edge broadband data applications along with our reliable Public Safety Broadband Network will truly revolutionize the way we collaborate during public safety incidents resulting in safer outcomes for all.”

“The Halton Regional Police Service and Peel Regional Police Services are committed to using advanced technologies to enhance community well-being,” said George Krausz, Motorola Solutions Canada president. “By joining Halton’s dedicated public safety LTE network, Peel Regional Police will have uninterrupted access to mission-critical data applications including GPS, maps, pictures, videos and real-time analytics to help keep residents and visitors safe.”

Just what is a Public Safety Broadband Network?

It is a dedicated, secure, high-speed wireless data communications network for emergency responders and public safety personnel to communicate with each other during both emergency situations and day-to-day operations.

How is the Ontario approach to a Public Safety Broadband Network a leap forward in terms of community safety?
For years, first responders have used voice (radio) to transmit messages to police officers and other public safety partners including neighboring police agencies to coordinate assistance to the public. Officers currently relay data through commercial networks which are designed for public use. The Ontario approach to a Public Safety Broadband Network will guarantee resilient and secure access on these networks during crises or day-to-day operations.

“We know from experience that during critical incidents, “time is of the essence”. Seamless, secure and reliable communications can have a direct impact on community safety by helping shave minutes and seconds off of emergency response times. Mission-critical voice communications must be supplemented with the ability to seamlessly and securely share data vital for heightened situational awareness, preserving the radio system for crucial voice communications.

“The state-of-the-art Halton Public Safety Broadband Network core provides a platform across which voice, data and information can be efficiently and seamlessly accessed and shared by Police, Fire and Paramedic Services during all stages of any major event, in any geographic location across Ontario. It will be used by first responders to quickly access data on their computers or mobile devices such as dispatch information, records information, GPS data, maps, photos, videos and real-time analytics for day-to-day operations and during emergencies.

Ultimately, this Ontario-based Public Safety Broadband Network model will provide first responders with the appropriate resources, interoperability, robust and reliable capacity, and with the ability to dynamically scale to changes in any critical situation.

Technical Background

Motorola has been providing communications solutions to police forces throughout North America for decades. The service includes two-way radios, broadband technology, video surveillance and analytics solutions, services and software to keep them connected, from extreme to everyday moments.

Broadband - Peel and Halton

Shown left to right: Halton Regional Police Service Deputy Chief Roger Wilkie, Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief David Jarvis, Halton Regional Police Service Deputy Chief Nishan Duraiappah with some of the equipment that will be used by public safety people.

Related news story:

Halton commits to broadband – hoping others will join to manage the cost.

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