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New radio protocols on track for roads

The Nadina Forest District will implement changes on June 1.

On remote and isolated backcountry resource roads in British Columbia, reliable and quick communication can mean the difference between life and death.

Industry Canada is implementing 40 new exclusive radio channels to improve the effectiveness of communications and increase the safety on resource roads. This action will help reduce any interruptions or interference among radio communication users on these roads, resource sectors and other radio spectrum services.

Forestry industry workers and other road users using mobile radios must have their radios reprogrammed to incorporate the new resource road channels.

The Nadina Forest District – which includes Burns Lake and Houston – will be implementing the new resource road radio channels on June 1, 2015.

The new protocols will impact forest service roads and other road permit roads in these areas. All affected road users must have the new channels programmed into their mobile radios before the transition date. Mobile radio users are advised to retain current radio channels and frequencies until they are no longer required.

New signs posted on local resource roads will advise which radio channels to use and provide the communication protocols, including the road name and required calling intervals. Vehicle operators using mobile radios to communicate their location and direction of travel must use the posted radio channels and call protocols.

It is recommended that mobile radio users have the full bank of standardized resource road radio channels programmed into their radios by certified radio technicians. All radio shops in the province should be aware of the new requirements. Radio users can expect to pay an average of $35 to $60 for a whole bank of channels (40) to be programmed into their radios.

Drivers are reminded that forest service roads are radio-assisted, not radio-controlled, and to drive safely according to road and weather conditions. It is strongly recommended that all resource road users exercise additional caution during this transition period.

Local resource road safety committees have worked with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Industry Canada to implement these changes.

Resource roads are built mostly to access natural resources located in remote areas. However, these roads are not just used for commercial and industrial purposes such as logging, mining or oil and gas extraction; they are also used by sportsmen, wilderness enthusiasts and Aboriginal communities. There are more than 650,000 kilometres of resource roads in B.C. alone.

Learn more about resource road radio communications protocols and view maps online at www.for.gov.bc.ca/hth/engineering/Road_Radio_Project.htm or contact the Nadina District office of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations at 250-692-2200, or Industry Canada at 1-800-667-3780.