Page 123 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 22 February 1994

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MINISTER FOR URBAN SERVICES

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION

QUESTION NO 1137

Emergency Rescue Services -.Communications Equipment-

Mr Humphries - asked the Minister for Urban Services

(1) Were difficulties experienced with communications between units of the

ACT Fire Brigade and its control headquarters at-Curtin on the weekend of 11-12 December 1993.

(2) If so, did these communications difficulties result in at least one fire brigade unit being out of contact with its control headquarters while fighting a grassfire in Belconnen on Saturday, 11 December 1993.

(3) Was a handheld portable radio. used by the controlling officer to make contact with the brigade unit. ,

(4) Has any assessment been made of the effectiveness of communications equipment at the new Curtin headquarters of ACT Emergency Management; if so, what are the results of this assessment.

Are any communication problems being resolved; if so, how and when.

Mr Connolly - the answer to the Member's question is as follows:

(1) Units using one of the recently installed radio channels experienced problems in transmission volume and quality which was rectified by having the- unit change to an alternative channel.

(2) There are no reports of units being out of contact during the grass fire on 11 December 1993.

(3) Yes. A handheld portable radio is used extensively by Officers to maintain' radio contact whilst away from their vehicles.

(4) The installation of the radio network is continuing and on completion an

_ assessment of the whole network will be conducted as part of the handover and formal acceptance process.

(5) Any communication problems will be resolved and rectified prior to acceptance.

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