Details of Incident / Close Call:
Resource road (RR) radio channels and call protocols have changed and the switch over has already occurred in some regions of British Columbia. Additional regions will be implementing the switch over through the remainder of 2015 and possibly the first quarter of 2016. Contact your local Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO) office or call FrontCounter BC at 1-877-855-3222 to find out when the change will be happening in your area.
The new communication protocols are:
- Standardized radio communications signage
- A set of dedicated resource road radio channels
- Standardized call procedures
Learnings and Suggestions:
What You Need to Know
- Be proactive. Have your radios programmed with the new bank of standard Resource Road channels before the new channels officially start being used. Keep the old frequencies until you are certain you no longer require them..
- Follow posted channels and radio call procedures. Conduct radio checks to ensure you are on the correct channel for your area, and that it is functioning properly.
- Follow posted channels and radio call procedures. Conduct radio checks to ensure that you are on the correct channel and that it is functioning properly.
- In areas undergoing transition to the new Resource Road channels and call protocols, there may be road users on an old radio channel. The best practice is to follow the signage (use the posted radio channel) and exercise additional caution. If possible, inform them of the changes.
- Remember that almost all resource roads are radio assisted, not radio controlled.
