FIRST USERS CONNECT TO PROVINCIAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

Installation of the province's new Provincial Public Safety Telecommunications Network (PPSTN) is nearly complete and the first public safety users will soon be able to migrate to the new system.

"The PPSTN will provide public safety users with the interoperability and sustainability they need to provide timely responses to emergencies," Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister D.F. (Yogi) Huyghebaert said. "We welcome the first users to the system and we look forward to additional users coming on board in the months ahead."

Starting in June, the City of Weyburn police and fire services will be the first organizations to migrate to the new system.

"Moving to the provincial public safety telecommunications network gives us the assurance that we can continue to provide seamless emergency response to our community's residents," Weyburn Chief of Police Howard Georgeson said.

The new public safety network is being built on the existing SaskPower/RCMP system, and will provide public safety radio communications coverage to virtually the entire province. The project began in 2002, and when completed at the end of 2010, will see a total investment of $130 million. It will move nearly 5,000 public safety radio users from SaskTel's FleetNet system, which is scheduled to be wound down in December, 2010.

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For more information, contact:

Desirae Bernreuther
Corrections, Public Safety and Policing
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2626
Email: desirae.bernreuther@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-5898