A new state-of-the-art emergency command vehicle will enable police and fire departments in the District of Saanich to respond more quickly and communicate more efficiently in emergencies.

Attorney General and Justice Minister Suzanne Anton, on behalf of Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, joined Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard, and district police and fire officials during the first public display of the newly acquired emergency vehicle outside the B.C. Legislative building.

The $970,000 emergency vehicle was purchased by the District of Saanich using $750,000 in funds received through the B.C. government’s Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Program. The remaining cost was covered by existing municipal revenue for Saanich’s police and fire department.

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The vehicle is equipped with advanced technology that includes cellular and satellite communications, as well as a camera, smart boards and computers. The vehicle provides officers with a mobile command unit and on-site office in cases of major flooding, earthquakes and other large scale emergencies.

The Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Program returned a total of $31.1 million to local governments in 2013.

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Quotes:

Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development -

“This new emergency vehicle is an important asset for the District of Saanich. This purchase, supported by $750,000 in funding through traffic fine revenue given back to the community, is exactly the type of local project we value to ensure safer communities where B.C. families can grow and thrive.”

Suzanne Anton, Attorney General and Minister of Justice - 

“In any emergency, the safety of first responders is our paramount concern. The better they’re able to communicate and strategize, safely and in real time, the more effective their response will be. Traffic fine revenue-sharing allows local authorities to focus on their community's priorities. For Saanich, that means leading-edge response capability.”

Frank Leonard, mayor of Saanich - 

“Saanich is proud to bring this vehicle into service - for significant fire and police incidents, but most importantly as part of our preparations for a major disaster such as an earthquake. The provincial funding has made this purchase possible as it would be very difficult to achieve solely with property tax revenue.”

Quick Facts:

• The Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Program directly assists eligible municipalities that pay police enforcement costs. The grants come from ticket fines and court-imposed fines on violation tickets. The amount of money a municipality receives is based on its contribution to total municipal policing costs.

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 888-1462

Sgt. Steve Eassie #158
Saanich Police Department
Public Information Officer
250 475-4337