Nova Scotia is distributing 2,000 trunk radio systems to fire departments starting this fall to secure the personal information of residents.
Trunk radio systems are encrypted, meaning only those with the correct authorization can listen to what’s being broadcast. They are already commonly used by police departments and paramedics so they can share information quickly without worrying about publicly broadcasting private information.
Currently, most fire departments communicate over traditional radio systems, which can be listened to by anyone with the right equipment.
If you have a device that can listen in (typically referred to as a scanner) you can hear fire departments communicating with dispatchers and amongst themselves. Often you will hear details about ongoing fires including their location, and possible injuries.
Once the new trunk systems are in place initial calls will still be made over the traditional radio system, but will then switch to the encrypted trunk system so first responders can share relevant information that in some cases would be private.
Minster John Lohr who is responsible for Emergency Management says that having a secure system will allow firefighters to communicate more efficiently without worrying about the public listening in.
“The rollout of these radios comes partially as a result of the recommendations from the Mass Casualty Commission,” said Lohr. “It identified the need for trunk radios that are encrypted and better communication.”
The 2,000 radios will be distributed to 300 organizations mostly consisting of fire departments, but some are also going to search and rescue teams.
Some of the trunk radio infrastructure will also be installed on the recently announced cell towers the province has contracted to have built.
