Nova Scotia invests in 2,000 mobile radios for volunteer first responders

By CityNews Halifax Staff

The province is investing $7.5 million in nearly 2,000 new mobile radios for volunteer emergency responders following recommendations from the Mass Casualty Commission.

In a release, it says the new trunked mobile radios will be provided to volunteer emergency responders by the fall of 2024.

The province said the new radios will go to more than 300 volunteer fire departments, ground search and rescue teams and other organizations.

According to the province, the radios will be encrypted, which addresses a recommendation from the Mass Casualty Commission Final Report that all emergency response agencies should have access to encrypted radios.

“Our volunteer first responders have a crucial role across the province, keeping Nova Scotians safe during emergencies,” said Service Nova Scotia Minister Colton LeBlanc. “The value of their work can’t be overstated. They need a robust and reliable two-way radio system to do their job.”

There are about 6,000 volunteer firefighters and 1,200 ground search and rescue volunteers in Nova Scotia.