NB Radio Technicians Support Alberta Wildfire Efforts
Two of our radio technicians, Nick and Jon, recently spent 18 days in northern Alberta, assisting with critical communications during a massive wildfire. After a request from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) was relayed through the New Brunswick Forest Fire Centre, they volunteered and joined the team fighting two large fires. The fire that Nick was sent to spanned over 170,000 hectares. For context, the entirety of CFB Gagetown isn’t even 170,000 hectares.
While stationed at separate fires in Northern Alberta, Nick and Jon quickly adapted to Alberta’s radio systems, including the Alberta First Responders Radio Communication System (AFRRCS) and the Very High Frequency (VHF) wildfire network. Their work involved radio programming, network setup, generator and tower maintenance, and daily communications planning through the Incident Command System (ICS).
This mission provided valuable insights into the critical role of reliable radio and LTE communication coverage in remote areas. Nick and Jon’s dedication and expertise have not only supported Alberta’s wildfire efforts but also brought back valuable knowledge to enhance our operations here in New Brunswick.