Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services Public Safety Communications Centre will now be providing fire dispatch services to Blood Tribe Emergency Services.
According to officials, the new arrangement will integrate fire dispatch through the call centre, which is expected to improve emergency response and communication during critical incidents for the Blood Tribe community. LFES Deputy Chief of Strategy and Communications Kevin McKeown says the expanded partnership with Blood Tribe Fire Services is a reflection of the two organizations’ “mutual commitment to ensuring the highest standard of public safety for our communities.” A statement echoed by BTES Fire Chief Travis Coleman.
“This collaboration has already improved our department’s communication capabilities internally and with our mutual aid agencies,” Coleman says.
Deputy Chief of Public Safety and Communications Centre Joel McDonald says he is looking forward to the team building on the relationship that has led to this trust being placed in the PSCC.
“As calls are received, our Emergency Communications Officers will do call evaluations and provide dispatch support to fire crews. This enhances our region’s emergency services interoperability,” McDonald says.
According to officials the PSCC receives 138,000 emergency calls throughout the year for 22 agencies across Southwestern Alberta and has provided the Blood Tribe with 9-1-1 call-taking services for several years already.
