Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services is moving to replace its analog two-way radio communications system with encrypted digital radios.
City Council will be asked Monday to award a half-million-dollar contract to Spectrum Telecom Group Ltd. of Sault Ste. Marie for the new equipment.
The new system will protect "the security of private/sensitive information relating to the general public and unfolding fire ground situations; and will provide much improved clarity of communications during fire ground operations," says Karen Marlow, the city's manager of purchasing.
Fire emergency radio transmissions are monitored by local newsrooms but often contain private details about health status of individuals and other confidential information.
Spectrum was the only supplier that responded to a request for proposals, but its submission was deemed by an evaluation team to meet their criteria.
"The proposed system is expected to support current and long-term needs for a minimum of ten years," Marlow said in a report to Mayor Provenzano and city councillors.
In a separate matter, councillors are expected to approve purchase of a $178,463 aerial lift truck for Fire Services from Commercial Truck Equipment Co. of Woodstock, Ont.
Commercial Truck was second-lowest among four bids.
The low bid was $176,880 from Allan Fyfe Equipment Ltd. of Concord, Ont. but Fyfe's expected delivery time was five to seven months more than Commercial's.
Monday's City Council meeting will be livestreamed on SooToday starting at 4:30 p.m.