Govt funds improved frontline connectivity for NSW SES

New portable connectivity kits, nimble internet-enabled forward command vehicles and satellite vessel tracking are being rolled out by the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) to enhance community response during disasters, thanks to $7.7 million in funding from the state government.

As explained by NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Damien Johnston, “Reliable communications are critical during disasters and when traditional networks fail, our teams must remain connected.

“These upgrades improve situational awareness, coordination and, most importantly, the safety of our members and the communities they serve.”

The connectivity kits will provide smaller teams in the field with access to internet, phone and radio services, while larger connectivity trailers will support more than 100 users during major incidents and can be shared with partner agencies. Eight of the kits will be allocated to SES drone operators, allowing them to securely transmit live vision from the scene of an incident directly to Incident Management Teams or the State Control Centre. The kits mean drones can remain onsite delivering vital vision when operating in an area with limited connectivity or where communication infrastructure is impacted.

In order to maintain constant contact between incident controllers and SES field teams, three specialised forward command vehicles are also being delivered to support on-scene communications and coordination. The vans are designed to be agile so they can get to restricted locations that larger mobile command centres cannot reach. SES vehicles will also receive improved connectivity, with 230 vehicles receiving fast, high-speed internet enabling them to better access live information.

Five new internet connectivity trailers will also be deployed to SES zones, providing high-capacity internet access for SES members, partner agencies and communities during major floods, storms and other emergency operations where networks are limited, overloaded or down.

Finally, vessels will be trackable for the first time, with satellite technology installed across the SES fleet to allow real-time monitoring during flood rescue response and on-water operations, helping direct resources, monitor teams and make effective decisions during tasking.

“Flood rescues are high-risk operations, and having near real-time vessel tracking strengthens our response, improves oversight, and ensures our crews are supported and accounted for at all times,” Johnston said.

In total, the connectivity upgrades include:

• $1.5 million for Generation 2 internet-enabled forward command vehicles;
• $1.4 million for internet connectivity trailers;
• $1.3 million for vehicle improvements;
• $915,000 for internet connectivity upgrades at SES units including Starlink;
• $900,000 for internet connectivity kits; and
• $500,000 for satellite vessel tracking.
   

“Together, these upgrades will help our SES volunteers respond faster, share information more easily and stay connected when communities need support most,” said NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib.

“As we prepare for the summer, we know our first responders will be called out to a wide range of incidents, and this new technology will improve interoperability across our emergency services.”

Image credit: NSW SES