CASE STUDY and communications technologies and delivers it to firefighters when and where they need it .
Connected Firefighter funding is part of an AU $ 80 million investment from NSW Government committed to FRNSW to support enhanced facilities and technology for up to five years .
FRNSW says : “ Connected Firefighter significantly improves critical fire safety communication , situational awareness and decision making for our people , other emergency agencies and our community , now and into the future .
“ Under our five year plus plan strategy , FRNSW committed to working with partner agencies , industry and government to provide firefighters with the technology they need to perform their vital roles safely and effectively . Connected Firefighter , along with communication center upgrades and other enhancements that accompany this program will ensure FRNSW is prepared for anything , to protect the irreplaceable .”
Connected Firefighter upgrades include :
• Cell on Wheels ( CoWs ): Rapid response vehicles that provide power , radio and Internet communications to support emergency response and recovery in areas with no coverage , ensuring emergency services personnel have the power and communications equipment they need to remain operational in difficult circumstances CoWs also benefit communities who may be cut-off or isolated by enabling access to Internet and telecommunications services while failed infrastructure is restored .
• Vehicle Communications Hub : Provides critical communications connectivity and automatic Advanced Vehicle Location ( AVL ) technologies within appliances that are capable of locating firefighters for emergency turnout and during an incident to improve personnel safety , allowing firefighters to continue using radios and hand- held devices via 4G and satellite and reducing the risk of losing critical communications beyond local communication infrastructure or ‘ blackspots ’.
• Vehicle radio replacement : New Wi-Fi enabled radios with the ability to communicate with other emergency services and access the expanded Government Radio Network ( GRN ), remote servicing and able to access the 4G and satellite communications provided through the Vehicle Communications Hub .
• Portable handheld radio replacement : Radios with dual-band capability and interoperability with partner emergency services agencies to facilitate information sharing and improved safety . Radios can access the expanded GRN and are Wi-Fi enabled for remote servicing .
• Two-way pagers : Providing coverage across both paging and 4G networks , ensuring on-call firefighters can be notified of incidents when one network is down or congested .
• Mobile Data Terminals ( MDT ): MDT units fitted in all appliances to provide firefighters with live access to critical information about an emergency including Triple Zero ( 000 ) call details and advanced mapping .
• ADASHI laptop upgrades : A specialist tool that supports commanders to plan and execute an incident response for any type of emergency .
• Mobile Command Center : Upgraded IT and communications equipment to provide Incident Management Teams with a mobile facility and the technology needed to direct complex activities during major emergencies , including real-time information for critical decision-making and co-ordination needed for the response teams involved – often across multiple emergency services agencies . p
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