Terrace Search and Rescue boosts emergency readiness with new communication tower
New 50-foot tower expands communication abilities for Terrace Search and Rescue, enhancing safety in vast remote areas in emergencies
The volunteer-led Terrace Search and Rescue has been bolstered by the addition of a new communication tower, significantly enhancing the organization’s ability to communicate swiftly across vast distances during emergencies.
The 50-foot tower is a pivotal asset in maintaining communications, especially amidst natural disasters or other urgent situations.
Terrace Search and Rescue Search Manager Dave Jephson expressed the tower's broad reach, saying, “We’ll be able to talk to anything in the Skeena Valley as far as we can see and even further. I think with this antenna up, we’ll probably be able to talk to the Kitimat Fire Hall.”
Prior to acquiring the tower, the team relied on a system of portable radios that were linked to command trucks and, at times, augmented by signal repeaters. With the tower in place, the range of communication has been significantly expanded.
The donation of the antenna, valued at approximately $35,000, was made by WestCan Advanced Communications Solutions, with NCSG Cranes contributing crane services to assist in the tower's installation.
The significance of local backing was underlined by Jephson, who stated, “None of this is a one person show.”
The tower complements a new facility that has been over five years in the making. The building, which is partially under construction, is already in use for community services like first-aid and other training sessions.
Remarkably, every component of the new facility, from equipment and materials to labor, has been donated by the local community, including contributions from Terrace Search and Rescue members and other organizations.
The building has been thoughtfully designed to cater to community needs, featuring an electrical setup capable of powering vehicles, trailers, and even food trucks outside during emergencies.
Highlighting the strategic intent behind the infrastructure, Jephson remarked, “Making a capable emergency operation centre has always been the goal. Whether it be the City of Terrace, Pacific Northern Gas, BC Hydro, BC Ambulance service, the RCMP, the Ministry of Forests, they’re going to be coming here and they need a location and this is going to have everything that’s going to be needed.”
The team at Terrace Search and Rescue is now focusing on raising funds for an emergency generator to further enhance their preparedness capabilities.
In addition to discussing infrastructure improvements, Jephson also took the opportunity to advocate for outdoor safety. He underscored the need for regular updates to outdoor gear according to seasonal changes, the advantages of satellite communicators like the Garmin inReach, routine checks of CO2 in life jackets and batteries in essential devices, and the crucial step of informing someone about your location before venturing into the wilds of our beautiful rural, remote region.