New mobile wi-fi equipment installed in Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW SES vehicles will ensure first responders can stay connected during emergencies.
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The vehicle as a node systems allow crews to stay in contact via satellite where there is no land-based 4G or radio connectivity or when communications infrastructure is damaged in a disaster.
Premier Chris Minns and Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib recently announced that the cutting edge technology has been installed in 1300 vehicles across the state.
Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said the equipment will help in future emergencies.
Last year we saw the massive failure of essential communications and how dangerous that was in the midst of a national disaster," Ms Saffin said.
With this technology, Fire and Rescue and the SES will be getting the latest advice and on-the-ground reports. It will enable crews to advise people about when they need to evacuate, and to get information to communities who may be cut off.
Equipping our emergency vehicles with this cutting edge technology is an important step in improving our preparedness for emergencies and disaster, she said.
The next step is to enable Fire and Rescue NSW vehicles to be used as mobile WiFi hubs, to allow for video streaming to share live footage from an incident site.
