WHEREAS 2003 saw many emergencies, from forest fires to floods, throughout British Columbia; AND WHEREAS many of these emergencies occur in locales that do not have access to radio or telephone signals: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities lobby the provincial government to equip and manage an emergency radio frequency using the best technology available to broadcast on the local level during emergency operations.
MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SOLICITOR GENERAL The ministry recognizes the need for timely, accurate, and appropriate information during emergencies and has established a working relationship with the commercial broadcast stations in the province for this purpose. The use of mobile low power transmitters to broadcast public safety information is subject to the licensing and regulatory requirements of both Industry Canada and the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission CRTC. We support efforts to ensure public safety and have directed the Provincial Emergency Program to work with the Cariboo Regional District and Industry Canada to enhance emergency broadcasting in this area.