Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
- What is CREST?
- When was it established?
- Why does it exist?
- Who uses CREST?
- How does the system work?
- Who is responsible for CREST?
- How is CREST governed?
- How are directors for the board selected?
- How is the system paid for?
- How reliable is the CREST system?
- What is the life expectancy of the system?
- Can the system handle a natural disaster?
- What area does CREST cover?
- Who are the people behind CREST?
What is CREST?
CREST stands for Capital Region Emergency Service Telecommunications. We provide radio communications for 36 emergency response agencies in British Columbia's Capital Region. We do this through a wide-area radio system that provides emergency communications for police, fire and other emergency service providers.
When was it established?
As a first step to addressing the issue of not being able to communicate among emergency service providers in the Capital Region, the Capital Regional District (CRD) Emergency Services Communications and Information Systems Steering Committee created the CREST project in 1998. Its purpose was to develop a strategy for an integrated telecommunications system.
A strategy was created and CREST was formed in 2001. Its radio network became operational in 2003.
Why does it exist?
Prior to creating CREST, public safety organizations in the Capital Region used over 30 different radio systems for communicating. These systems were not designed or selected to communicate with one another, and in many cases, critical communications links were not available. To address the issue, CREST was formed in 2001, and its radio network became operational in 2003.
Who uses CREST?
CREST provides emergency communications for 1800 men and women working in 36 different emergency response agencies in the Capital Region. Click here for a list of the organizations using CREST.
How does the system work?
CREST uses a wide-area radio system called a mixed mode Motorola SmartZone 4.1. By using a mixed mode system, we are able to support both digital and analog communications. This allows mobile and portable radios as well as dispatch operators to communicate over large distances through repeaters.
CREST's infrastructure includes:
- 24 transmission and receiver sites,
- 51 in-vehicle repeaters,
- 1,758 mobile and portable radios, and
- 78 frequencies.
The system is also designed to move towards an open standard of telecommunications when the technology becomes available.
Who is responsible for CREST?
CREST has a 20-member Board of Directors that is responsible for overseeing the Corporation's strategic direction, its finances, governance and operating results. The members of the Board are nominated by CREST shareholders, and provide extensive knowledge and experience to the Corporation through their work on the Board and as members of the Board's finance, governance and other committees.
CREST has a management team, headed by a General Manager that is accountable through the Chair of the Board to the Board of Directors for the day-to-day administration of the Corporation and operation of the system.
How is CREST governed?
CREST is incorporated under the BC Business Corporations Act and regulated by the Emergency Communications Corporations Act. It is a private emergency communications not-for-profit corporation owned by its shareholders and governed by a Board of Directors.
How are directors for the board selected?
Each shareholder appoints one board member to the board. Shareholders can choose any individual legally capable of serving on a corporate board as their representative.
How is the system paid for?
CREST is funded through user fees paid by the agencies using the system. Their fees are based on the geographic size of the area they serve, its population, the number of radios required, and radio traffic. The 911-call answer levy charged on landline telephones, and other equipment charges also provide funding for CREST.
How reliable is the CREST system?
In 2008, CREST invested $10.6 million in the system to bring it up to the recognized public safety standard of 97% reliability. This means that for every 100 calls that go through the system, three may have a problem such as audio quality. No radio communication system in the world achieves 100% reliability.
What is the life expectancy of the system?
As with any technology-based system, new technologies are being developed and tested all the time. CREST will continue to upgrade the system as new technologies become available. The current system is also designed to move to an open standard of telecommunications as the technology matures.
Can the system handle a natural disaster?
The CREST system is designed to handle tsunamis and earthquakes. Transmitter sites were designed and built to keep the remaining system functional in the unlikely event that a tower is affected, thereby minimizing the impact of an earthquake. All sites are located on a mountaintop or on high earthquake resistant buildings, virtually eliminating the impact of a tsunami.
What area does CREST cover?
CREST serves a geographic area from Sidney and Galiano Island in the north down to the southern tip of Vancouver Island. From east to west, CREST serves Saturna Island to the town of Shirley on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The total area covered is 938 sq. km.
Who are the people behind CREST?
CREST consists of:
- 20 Shareholders
- 20 Board Members
- 4 Staff Members
- 39 User Agencies
- 1,800 Individual Users