Being the largest and most comprehensive communication network of its kind in Canada, Williams Engineering (WE) is honoured to have provided project management and civil, structural, electrical, and geotechnical engineering services to the Alberta First Responders Radio Communications System (AFRRCS).
Construction began in March 2011 to build a province-wide two-way radio network for public safety first responder agencies including police, fire, and ambulance. AFRRCS will help coordinate first responders in the event of emergencies and/or natural disasters, and it will also be used for day-to-day operations.
According to the Alberta Government, the goals of this $370 million project were to:
- Improve the safety of Alberta first responders and all Albertans
- Develop and implement a radio network that includes infrastructure to meet current and future needs of first responder agencies
- Work with first responder agencies to provide effective and efficient emergency communications services
- Remove technical barriers to interoperability and facilitate inter-agency cooperation
A total of 423 sites are linked across 661,190 square kilometres to provide the necessary coverage across the entire province of Alberta. The project was completed in two building phases with a final phase completed in 2014. The first tower was built at Wintering Hills in Wheatland County, Alberta, and includes a 60-metre self-supporting tower, shelter, generator, and fuel tank.
WE is proud to have been a part of this innovative project that improves public safety and emergency response in Alberta.
