E-Comm, the emergency communications centre responsible for answering 99 percent of B.C.’s 9-1-1 calls, is appealing to British Columbians to Help Us Help, as part of a campaign to encourage the public to use 9-1-1 responsibly. E-Comm is anticipating one of the busiest summers on record for emergency services and first responders. “Ahead of the…
On June 6, The Shield Journal awarded the first of its 2022 bi-annual Community Safety Grants to the Rideau Lakes Fire Department (RLFD) after a catastrophic fire destroyed their station in Portland, Ont. On Dec. 21, 2021, RLFD Chief Scott Granahan was at home when he received an alert in the late afternoon from the…
Last updated on June 14th, 2022
Developed in partnership with Centre for Digital Media and District of North Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services Fire investigation training has taken a digital step forward with Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC)’s development of a new gamified learning experience to better prepare students to investigate fires. The new fire investigation simulator, dubbed FlashoVR, offers…
We all have an important role to play keeping our loved ones safe and protecting valuable 9-1-1 resources. We want them available in an emergency, when we need them most. As part of Emergency Service Dispatchers’ and 9-1-1 Awareness Week, running from April 10-16, E-Comm 9-1-1 is challenging British Columbians to protect each other…
Last updated on March 25th, 2022
When a person is struggling with their mental health, even one small gesture of care and kindness can make all the difference in the world. Just the knowledge that there is one person out there who truly cares can give a person in crisis the motivation they need to begin walking the road toward healing.…
Canada has one of the highest education rates in the world. Despite this, one in six Canadians struggle with everyday reading and writing. This statistic climbs higher still when you examine literacy rates inside Canadian penitentiaries. According to a fact sheet by The Literacy and Policing Project, 79 per cent of offenders entering Canadian correctional…
If you saw them in the street, you probably wouldn’t recognize them. They don’t carry a gun or wear a shiny badge. They don’t drive an ambulance, a patrol car, or a fire truck. They are often working when most people are home in their beds. They are missing family functions, dance recitals and school…
It goes without saying that answering emergency calls and dispatching field responders to events is emotionally taxing work. However, it is often the unseen work-life balance issues that create the greatest levels of stress for telecommunicators. Due to staffing shortages and high turnover, emergency telecommunicators are frequently asked to work overtime. This involves either staying…
Last updated on March 21st, 2022
When 26-year-old Kimberly Tennant first applied to the Police Foundations program at St. Lawrence College, job stability was at the top of her mind. At the time, she planned on working in border services or private security; however, almost two years later, Tennant is now on her way to graduation and says her direction has…
Last updated on November 24th, 2021
On Aug. 24, The Shield Journal awarded its first Community Safety Grant to the Lanark Highlands Fire Department (LHFD) in the Township of Lanark Highlands, ON. The Department was awarded just over $3,000 to purchase a brand new Galaxy GX2 Automated Test System. This unit is used to detect the presence of Carbon monoxide (CO),…
