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911 infrastructure discussion pitting radio against phone lines

Debate over best method for RDOS 911 infrastructure upgrades is heating up as other options are put forward

Radio vs Phone

 

In response to a recent article in this newspaper, I find it interesting that the Consulting firm (Planetworks) who has now done several surveys for the RDOS, criticized the method of transmission from Kelowna (internet lines) and is now pushing for upgrades and MORE radio links, including one on Okanagan Mountain. This same company, I believe, were the very ones who initially pushed for this internet/radio over IP type of routing in the first place. I distinctly recall both Dave Mitchell (Planetworks) and Dale Kronenbusch (Emergency Services Supervisor) touting the benefits of going to such a great system in the first place (when promoting the move to Kelowna from Penticton). This in my professional opinion (I have 33 years of radio experience and also co-own and maintain two repeater systems in Penticton) was a smokescreen and turned out to be nothing but a headache.  Some folks would have you believe that this internet system has only had one or two failures/upgrades but I assure you that I know first hand of several complete failures over the past year, with no notice. Going through a third party was their biggest mistake. It may be the cheapest method but definately not the best.  I wonder if the RDOS directors were actually somehow convinced that fatefull day back in July 2011 that this new technology was the way to go and so much better than what Penticton used. I believe that the idea in principal of using ROIP to get to all departments directly was what really  was proposed (thus elimintating the mountain top sites) but this type of technology does not exist in all areas of the Okanagan/Similkameen as yet. The truth is, that Penticton used nothing; it wasnt needed; they were already at the point of radio transmission. Kelowna had to find a way to get that signal to Penticton and then branch out from there to the various RDOS fire departments. They chose to use an internet line(s) through an insecure third party (the school district), rather than what should have been used - proper dedicated Telus hardlines. There are certain standards that must be met for emergency service levels and these cheaper internet lines do not cut it. I do not believe that Planetworks, in their latest report could’ve given the system a failing grade, if they had used proper lines, as the RCMP, EHS and others all use them with great success and reliability. Im also fairly certain that they would not be talking about now establishing another radio site on Okanagan Mountain, had they done things properly in the beginning.  Who are Planetworks, anyways? Just a consulting firm out of Vancouver with no real authority and likely little knowledge of the Okanagan valley. If Planetworks had really done their homework (and had that study been done before moving dispatch) they would’ve discovered that the proposed upgrades would be cheaper if based out of Penticton. Linking sites such as Okanagan Mountain would not be needed, as Penticton had direct radio linking access to Mt. Kobau and Beaconsfield and all the local departments directly.

When dispatch was originally set up in 1990, Penticton went directly to Apex mountain (solar site and not the ski hill). This was changed a couple of years later due to low battery issues in wintertime and the system was moved to a powered site on Beaconsfield Mountain, with Mt. Kobau now added into the picture. Penticton also had the ability to still talk directly with any department which used the Beaconsfield Mtn site, should the Mt. Kobau site fail (as did happen this winter).  Penticton could also talk directly on VHF radio to most local depts should any link fail. Kelowna has no abilitly to do this.

It would appear that there is no consensus yet on using phone lines or radio sites for linking amoung the board members and all parties involved. I find it odd that Mr. Kronenbusch would argue against using phone lines where available, when it was the phone lines that saved the departments over the holidays when Mt. Kobau failed. He also states that these lines are more subject to failure from motor vehicle accidents and even earthquakes, yet at the present time, the RDOS and CORD are in serious talks regarding contracting out all the initial 9-1-1 call taking system and most likely it would go to the coast (either Ecomm or Surrey). That would be done via phone lines completely. Perhaps those lines are somehow more secure than the Okanagan ones? I think not. I do not agree with Mr. Kronenbusch’s opinion of phone lines and I believe that they should be used where possible to improve both reliability and possibly eliminate some mountain top sites.

I was a past believer in radio linking, but this winter has not been kind to many mountain tops sites (I know of at least five that were hit hard in December) and it won’t be the last time. I cannot recall one instance where an earthquake in this area has taken out any phone lines. Low level fibre optic lines are also easy to get to, should any damage ever occur. Long distance calls across the country also used to be done via Micro-wave sites on the mountain tops; now most of that is done via fibre optic cables on the ground. Many high level sites are either redundant or only kept for backup purposes. I am also finally glad to see that more of the directors are asking for input from their fire chiefs, the front line workers; it’s about time.

PS: Had the fire dispatch contract gone to either Surrey or Chilliwack (two of the departments who bid), their signal would get here via dedicated Telus lines, just as was done when Revelstoke switched their dispatch to the coast. The lines aren’t the cheapest but they are reliable and ones from Kelowna to here would not be nearly as expensive as to and from the coast.

Allan C.L. Stark,

Penticton