Windsor's police and fire departments have joined forces and now share a new mobile command centre.
The former OPP command bus has been retrofitted for the two agencies. Both departments evenly split the $955,000 cost of the new bus, which is worth more than $1.4-million.
Windsor Fire Chief Bruce Montone says it's more than just a cost-savings move. "The integration of our services is what's important when we're trying to deal with these major emergencies," says Montone. "Having the decision-makers in the same place, at the same time to share the information that they have and to make those strategic decisions to deal with those major emergencies is really the advantage that this provides us."
Windsor Police Chief Al Frederick says it comes equipped with many new high-tech features including video surveillance that can be transmitted to other locations. "We have a complete communications centre in there," he says. "When there is a disaster or it is deployed in some capacity, we can have (someone) dispatch the entire scene from the command post as opposed to headquarters."
The new command bus is replacing two old ones from each department and will only be used during disasters, large fires or other major police emergencies.
