CREST

CREST RADIO SYSTEM

CREST’s public safety telecommunications network strengthens the safety of our emergency responders and the citizens they serve and protect, and allows our unique island region to be self-reliant in the event of a natural disaster.

The CREST approach allows all of our region’s primary emergency response agencies to use the same system, the same technology and the same world-class standard of communication. This ‘one-system’ approach is the ideal model in which to address public safety from an emergency communications perspective. It allows for interoperability, reliability and efficiency of communications among all responding agencies. CREST also provides both online and instructor led training to users of the P25 system and maintains the significant technology infrastructure of the system.

The CREST network includes 35+ optimal site locations essential to the front-line delivery of public safety services.

CREST provides emergency radio communications for 50 emergency response and public service agencies throughout the CRD, an area that spans the Territories of the Coast and Strait Salish and Nuu-chah-nulth peoples. In the delivery of critical public safety services to all citizens, CREST’s Board of Directors proudly recognize the First Nations governments across this region the -Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees) and Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nations in the core area, the W̱SÁNEĆ Nations {W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱,(Tsawout) W̱SIKEM (Tseycum)} out on the Saanich Peninsula and Gulf Islands, and to the west Sc’ianew (Beecher Bay), T’Sou-ke, – Pacheedaht, MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) and Pune’laxutth’ (Penelekut) Nations.

CREST’s public safety telecommunications network strengthens the safety of our emergency responders and the citizens they serve and protect, and responds to our unique island region enabling us to be self-reliant in the event of a natural disaster. CREST shares a common network with Emergency Communications BC (E-Comm) allowing for strategic interoperability capabilities.

CREST was formed in 2001 and its radio communications network has been operational since 2003. In 2020, CREST completed a $24.5 million technology upgrade to a P25 North American standard of public safety excellence.

CREST Users:

BC AMBULANCE SERVICE BC 

CONSERVATION OFFICER SERVICE 

BC TRANSIT 

CANADIAN FORCES BASE
Fire
Police

CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT 
Salt Spring Island Electoral Area
Fire Piers Island 
Fire Saturna Island
Fire Mayne Island 
Fire Galiano Island North
Fire Galiano Island South
Fire Southern Gulf Island Emergency Program Otter Point
Fire Pender Island
Fire Willis Point
Fire East Sooke
Fire Shirley
Fire Hazmat Team 

CENTRAL SAANICH 
Fire 
Police 

COLWOOD 
Bylaw Enforcement 
Fire 

CRD PROTECTIVE SERVICES 

ESQUIMALT FIRE 

GREATER VICTORIA POLICE VICTIM SERVICES 

HIGHLANDS FIRE 

JDF EMERGENCY PROGRAM 

LANGFORD 
Bylaw Enforcement 
Fire 

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY PROTECTIVE SERVICES 

METCHOSIN FIRE 

NORTH SAANICH FIRE 

OAK BAY 
Fire 
Police 

PARKS CANADA 

PORT RENFREW FIRE 

ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE 

SAANICH 
Fire 
Police 

SALT SPRING ISLAND EMERGENCY PROGRAM 

SIDNEY FIRE 

SONGHEES FIRST NATION 

SOOKE 
Bylaw 
Enforcement 
Fire 
ST. JOHN AMBULANCE 

UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA SECURITY 

VICTORIA 
Bylaw Enforcement 
Fire
Police

VICTORIA AIRPORT AUTHORITY FIRE 

VIEW ROYAL FIRE