HomeMy WebLinkAboutESD-008-11 Clarington REPORT
EMERGENCY AND FIRE SERVICES
Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Date: June 13, 2011 Resolution#: - 4199-11 By-law#:
Report#: ESD-008-11 File#:
Subject: Next Generation Common Communications Platform
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report ESD-008-11 be received for information.
Submitted by: L � Reviewed by.
`Gordon Weir, AMCT, CMM111 Franklin Wu,
Director Emergency & Fire Services Chief Administrative Officer
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T(905)623-3379 F (905)623-4169
REPORT NO.: ESD-008 -11 PAGE 2
1.0 BACKGROUND AND COMMENT
1.1 Communication systems for Police and Fire Departments are nearing the end of
their contracts or life cycles and need to be renewed/replaced with newer, more
interoperable technology. Representatives from Durham Regional Police Service
(DRPS) approached the Regional and Municipal CAO's to determine if there was
any interest in developing a shared communication platform. Although common
dispatch would be possible, it was emphasized that was not the purpose of the
initiative: there would be no need to relinquish individual control of dispatch.
1.2 This shared platform is primarily for Police and Fire Services and could be used
by various departments or organizations such as Operations, Social Services,
Transit, Durham Emergency Management Office and Ontario Power Generation
Fire and Security.
1.3 The Region of Durham Finance and Administration Committee and Regional
Council laid the structure for the implementation of a shared communications
platform. In 2009, as part of the five (5) year business plan, $25 million was
estimated to be the approximate cost for the complete replacement of the
emergency communication systems currently used within the Region.
1.4 This multi-year project will continue through the implementation phase
anticipated in 2013, until full transition to the new system is complete, anticipated
to be in 2014.
2.0 PROGRESS TO DATE
2.1 Project oversight was undertaken by a Joint Management Team (JMT)
comprised of representatives from each stakeholder. This group is chaired by
Deputy Police Chief Scott Burns (DRPS) and Fire Chief Mark Diotte (Ajax Fire)
as the Vice Chair.
2.2 A Working Group Committee (WGC), chaired by Inspector Joe Maiorano (DRPS)
and vice-chaired by Deputy Fire Chief Mark Berney, has been formed to ensure
individual requirements are maintained.
2.3 The role of project management for this multi-year project was awarded to
Lansdowne Technologies Inc.
REPORT NO.: ESD-008 -11 PAGE 3
2.4 The project has been laid out in four steps:
• Plan
• Develop Communications Interoperability Plan (CIP) and Action Plan
• Implement Plan
• Procure and Manage /Monitor /Transition
In addition, the project road map has four phases with a number of building
blocks supporting the successful completion of each phase.
• Phase 1: Initiating the Project
• Phase 2: Planning the Project
• Phase 3: Executing and Managing the Project
• Phase 4: Closing the Project
Phase 1 and 2 have been completed and the project is currently in Phase 3.
3.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
3.1 Municipalities will not be required to fund beyond their respective capital user
equipment and subsequent operation costs.
4.0 CONCLUSION
4.1 Anew communications system is essential for both Regional Police and
Municipal Fire Services by 2014. Effective emergency communications between
agencies with an interoperable, real-time system is critical for community safety.