Kitchener Fire investing $1.7M to revamp communications systems

Kitchener Fire is putting $1.7 million toward upgrading its dispatch and communication systems.

The investment comes from the fire department's budgetand shouldimprove communication with the Waterloo Regional Police Service.

• 'Significant plus for public safety,' police chief says of shared tech with fire teams.

"The goal with the new technology is to be able to enhance interoperability between the two public safety agencies," KitchenerFire ChiefJon Rehilltold CBC News.

The upgrades will include:

• a new computer-aided dispatch system.
• new radio communications equipment.

Once the upgrades are complete, the fire department will be able to share hazardous material information and emergency response details faster and more efficiently with police.

As it stands, Kitchener Fire uses phone systems to transfer such critical information across the two emergency service agencies.

The new system will go live in last quarter of 2018.