Moving communication centre from Truro is ill-advised

NOTE: The following letter, addressed to Brenda Lucki, Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was submitted to Truro News for publication. Commissioner Lucki:

I followed with great interest and concern the proposed transfer to Dartmouth and resulting closure of the Truro Operational Communications Centre (OCC). I have sent a copy of this email to the Honourable Ralph Goodale.

I am a colonel retired from the Canadian Forces. I am seeking the nomination to replace Bill Casey in Cumberland- Colchester and I have discussed this issue with him. That has focused my attention on this important matter.

I have considerable knowledge in relation to, and an appreciation of the critical importance of communication in emergency situations. In my experience the ability to communicate becomes even more vital in times of emergency.

There are a number of important reasons why the OCC in Truro should not be moved.

First, the OCC in Truro is located in the centre of Nova Scotia, with a good geographic separation from the HRM OCC in Burnside. In an emergency situation it is preferable.

Second, placing all communications in a cluster makes very little operational sense considering their importance in an emergency. Simply put, placing all the eggs in one basket, in one location, creates an unnecessary vulnerability.

Third, the Halifax/dartmouth area has a number of particular disadvantages in relation to being the centre for emergency communications.

The CBC in February 2017 detailed the risks associated with a fire in the Bedford Ammunitions Depot. It quoted a 2015 report by the Canadian Military that concluded there is a risk of fire in the Ammunition Depot in Bedford. While an explosion was considered unlikely, a fire is a possibility and that may necessitate an evacuation from an area which would include both OCCS. That would disrupt emergency communications in Nova Scotia.

The Port of Halifax, on occasion, hosts nuclear-powered vessels. While very unlikely, a radiation leak from one of these vessels could mandate an evacuation that in all likelihood would include Burnside.

Foreign perpetrators, intent on damaging Canada, would see Halifax as a potential target and Halifax is the centre of provincial government and many federal government organizations. It is also the home of Canada’s East Coast Navy.

Being on the coast, Halifax is vulnerable to violent storms such as that we experienced in September of 2003 with hurricane Juan. Climate change increases that risk.

Beyond the risk of storms, Truro does not share these disadvantages or vulnerabilities. Those making decisions in relation to the safety of Nova Scotians have an obligation to protect Nova Scotians. Financial considerations, while important, should be secondary.

It is my opinion that the proposed move from Truro to Burnside is poorly considered. It is dangerous.

J A Hardiman, Colonel (Ret’d) Truro