Disasters are regional
Times Colonist Editorial
April 12, 2014 04:27 PM
The new emergency command vehicle recently acquired by the District of Saanich is loaded with cool: shiny exterior, flashing lights and an array of electronics that puts the starship Enterprise to shame.
But it’s more than a gussied-up motorhome, it’s an impressive tool for allowing police and fire departments to respond quickly and communicate more efficiently in emergencies.
More than three-quarters of the $970,000 cost of the vehicle came from the province’s traffic-fine revenue-sharing program.
“The vehicle is equipped with advanced technology that includes cellular and satellite communications, as well as a camera, smart boards and computers,” says a statement from the B.C. Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. “The vehicle provides officers with a mobile command unit and on-site office in cases of major flooding, earthquakes and other large-scale emergencies.”
A major catastrophe such as those mentioned would not be restricted to Saanich, and response would be region-wide, involving all police and emergency services in the capital district. Would each have its own mobile command centre? Would the mobile command centres be able to talk to each other? If Saanich has one, can Victoria and Langford have one, too?
It seems logical that a major piece of emergency equipment such as this would be better acquired on a regional basis than by an individual municipality. It points to the need for more amalgamation of police and emergency services to avoid redundancy and to ensure best use of resources.
© Copyright Times Colonist
Times Colonist Editorial
April 12, 2014 04:27 PM
The new emergency command vehicle recently acquired by the District of Saanich is loaded with cool: shiny exterior, flashing lights and an array of electronics that puts the starship Enterprise to shame.
But it’s more than a gussied-up motorhome, it’s an impressive tool for allowing police and fire departments to respond quickly and communicate more efficiently in emergencies.
More than three-quarters of the $970,000 cost of the vehicle came from the province’s traffic-fine revenue-sharing program.
“The vehicle is equipped with advanced technology that includes cellular and satellite communications, as well as a camera, smart boards and computers,” says a statement from the B.C. Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. “The vehicle provides officers with a mobile command unit and on-site office in cases of major flooding, earthquakes and other large-scale emergencies.”
A major catastrophe such as those mentioned would not be restricted to Saanich, and response would be region-wide, involving all police and emergency services in the capital district. Would each have its own mobile command centre? Would the mobile command centres be able to talk to each other? If Saanich has one, can Victoria and Langford have one, too?
It seems logical that a major piece of emergency equipment such as this would be better acquired on a regional basis than by an individual municipality. It points to the need for more amalgamation of police and emergency services to avoid redundancy and to ensure best use of resources.
© Copyright Times Colonist