Interoperability is a cornerstone of effective emergency response, yet achieving and sustaining it requires more than shared infrastructure—it demands coordinated planning, training, and trust. This workshop explores how the Alberta First Responders Radio Communications System (AFRRCS) is advancing beyond coverage metrics to foster operational confidence and seamless interagency collaboration.

Participants will gain insight into AFRRCS’s service delivery model, which supports over 200 agencies and 50,000 devices across Alberta. The session will highlight practical strategies for enhancing interoperability, including fleet mapping, talk group configuration, and the use of Common Event Talk groups (CETs) and Provincial CETs. It will also address the importance of interoperability SOPs, encryption coordination, and the role of Technical Administrators and Agency Administrators in maintaining system integrity. The workshop will showcase tools and resources available to agencies, such as deployable assets (e.g., Sites on Wheels, radio caches), workshops, and agency-specific performance reports. Examples from across Alberta will demonstrate how agencies have addressed challenges to establish robust, interoperable communication pathways.

This session is ideal for operational leaders, technical staff, and agency representatives seeking to deepen their understanding of AFRRCS and enhance their agency’s readiness for multi-agency response. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to strengthen their agency’s integration with AFRRCS and contribute to a more connected and confident public safety community.