Whereas fire departments play a crucial role in responding to motor vehicle incidents outside of fire protection boundaries on behalf of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness EMCR and that both EMCR and the local government have a shared responsibility for the health and safety of responders; And whereas one of the significant challenges faced by local fire departments is the lack of adequate or any communications infrastructure in the areas they respond to, making it difficult for responders to coordinate their efforts, request additional resources, or seek assistance from other agencies and hampering the effectiveness and efficiency of response operations, potentially compromising the safety of both responders and the public: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urgently request the Province of British Columbia to provide modern and reliable communications, such as low-earth orbit satellite internet, to responding agencies that are handling motor vehicle incidents on the Provinces behalf to ensure seamless communication and enhance the safety and effectiveness of responders; And be it further resolved that the Province of British Columbia collaborate with telecommunication providers to improve overall communications infrastructure in areas where motor vehicle incidents occur frequently including expanding coverage, improving network reliability, and exploring innovative solutions to address communication challenges in remote and underserved areas.
Ministry of Citizens Services Cellular connectivity along highways improves public safety and access to emergency services especially along rural and remote stretches. Since 2017, the government has allocated 90 million to incentivize expanding cell service across the province. BC has about 15,000 kilometres of primary and secondary highways, with approximately 4,200 kilometres lacking cellular coverage. Of the sections with no cellular coverage, only 1,100 kilometres have access to available power which is necessary for cell towers to operate. Telecommunications are regulated by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. While the Province cannot direct service providers as to where and when to expand their networks, the provincial government has conveyed the need to expand cellular service in BC so that emergency services can be accessed anywhere. The Cellular Expansion Fund, administered by Northern Development Initiative Trust, offers financial support to service providers for installing new towers and expanding cellular services along primary and secondary highways, increasing the ability to reach emergency services along these routes. Northern Development Initiative Trust will continue to accept Cellular Expansion Fund project applications until funding has been fully allocated. LEO satellites are able to provide high-speed consumer internet satellite services, and in some cases are the only high-speed internet option in remote areas during emergency situations. The BC government is using satellite technology options for critical services where no other options are available. The Province is committed to working with regional, local and First Nation governments, and service providers to increase mobile connectivity and is also closely monitoring emergency communications technologies that will expand mobile connectivity, including satellite to cellular capabilities under development by multiple service providers. For example, newer iPhones are able to call 9-1-1 using satellite SOS technology today.