Researchers work to improve communications equipment for first responders

Researchers working with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency are making it their mission to improve communication equipment used by first responders.

The project, led by the Nova Scotia Community College's applied research team, aims to upgrade an existing device that enhances radio coverage.

It's called a digital vehicular repeater system (DVRS) and it's typically built into emergency vehicles — but it can only reach so far.

The device can cut out in areas where there are often cellular brownouts, like in concrete buildings or underground areas.

In some situations, this can not only slow first responders down, but it can be dangerous for them.

"This radio is a line of safety for them so they're able to call emergencies, they're able to reach out to their peers to get assistance," said Mark Burgess, Halifax Fire's division chief of technology and innovation.

"If they cannot communicate, then they cannot do that."

To soften this issue, Halifax Fire's communications technician created a prototype of a portable DVRS. It allows first responders to carry it with them and extend radio connection, rather than it being built into an emergency vehicle.

Burgess said the prototype is not yet being used in emergency situations, but Halifax Fire has been testing it for the last few months.

The organization has since given the prototype to researchers with Nova Scotia Community College's applied research team in hopes of making it even better.

Jacob Woods, a research associate with the team, said one issue identified with the current prototype is how heavy it is.

"So they're in a rush to get out — 30 seconds, a minute — doesn't sound like much," Wood said. "For a firefighter who's trying to respond to an emergency, it adds some pretty significant time."

He said they're hoping to make the device lighter so it's easier to carry.

"In a perfect world, we're hoping to really slim down the size of this," Woods said. "But we're still in the early preliminary stages here, just getting a better sense of what's in the box, what the equipment is and what we can do with it."

Fire departments have been seeing an increase in calls in the last few years, Burgess said, which will require better equipment.

"Any time that we are able to go in and do our job safely, that's a benefit to the public," he said.