Moving Forward
Greater Victoria can take pride in having had the foresight to create CREST. Although not without its challenges, we are embarking on stability. With the significant restructuring of our organization over the past couple of years, CREST has emerged with an even stronger resolve to provide a first class service.
Emergency service providers in other parts of Canada are deeply, and rightfully, concerned about their inability to talk to one another. Here in the Capital Region, the 1800 men and women who provide emergency response for 36 different agencies can talk.
With Vancouver Island being prone to natural disaster, it's essential that people have the ability to communicate with one another. Rescue efforts in disasters like Hurricane Katrina and the tornado that hit Pine Lake, Alberta are hampered when the ability to talk to one another doesn't exist.
As with any technology-based system, improvements and investment will continue to be made. And, although we have interoperability, we need to work with Industry Canada to increase the number of frequencies available to us.
We also need to continue to engage our users, to ensure we are meeting their needs, increasing the functionality of the system and maximizing its use.
Establishing CREST and making the needed improvements took vision and leadership. As a result, we have a reliable communications system for public safety in the Capital Region.
CREST is a service that we are proud to provide.
Gordie Logan
Chair of the Board