❓ Hon Martin Aldridge questions the Minister for Emergency Services regarding the monitoring capabilities of emergency radio network repeater sites, staffing levels of radio technicians, and procedures for power restoration during emergencies. The Minister acknowledges the lack of remote monitoring, staffing shortages, and ongoing review of power restoration protocols with Western Power.
AnsweredQoN 1331Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
EMERGENCY SERVICES —
REPEATER SITES
1331. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to question on notice 653,
answered on 10 May 2022, regarding the Western Australian emergency radio
network repeater sites.
(1) Has the
Department of Fire and Emergency Services built the capability to monitor
repeater sites and detect failure or service interruption remotely?
(2) How many radio technicians, by
FTE, are ordinarily employed by DFES?
(3) How many radio technicians, by FTE,
are currently employed by DFES?
(4) Noting the
finding of the Shepherd review that DFES had no documented procedures for
requiring Western Power to restore power in
emergency situations, has this been rectified ahead of the high-threat period?
REPEATER SITES
1331. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to question on notice 653,
answered on 10 May 2022, regarding the Western Australian emergency radio
network repeater sites.
(1) Has the
Department of Fire and Emergency Services built the capability to monitor
repeater sites and detect failure or service interruption remotely?
(2) How many radio technicians, by
FTE, are ordinarily employed by DFES?
(3) How many radio technicians, by FTE,
are currently employed by DFES?
(4) Noting the
finding of the Shepherd review that DFES had no documented procedures for
requiring Western Power to restore power in
emergency situations, has this been rectified ahead of the high-threat period?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) Department of
Fire and Emergency Services radio communications service repeater
infrastructure does not currently have the technology to remotely monitor the
health and performance of repeaters.
(2) Ordinarily, there are 10 radio
technicians.
(3) Currently,
there are eight radio technicians. DFES is actively recruiting for the vacant
positions and has recently engaged a first-year apprentice radio technician.
(4) DFES has conducted a review of Western Power's
exemption conditions in conjunction with representatives from Western
Power. This exemption provides Western Power with the ability to undertake
power restoration during a total fire ban.
Power restoration work is determined by Western Power after it conducts its own risk assessment on a case-by-case basis. DFES does not rely on the
reinstatement of power to ensure WAERN coverage.
some notice of the question.
(1) Department of
Fire and Emergency Services radio communications service repeater
infrastructure does not currently have the technology to remotely monitor the
health and performance of repeaters.
(2) Ordinarily, there are 10 radio
technicians.
(3) Currently,
there are eight radio technicians. DFES is actively recruiting for the vacant
positions and has recently engaged a first-year apprentice radio technician.
(4) DFES has conducted a review of Western Power's
exemption conditions in conjunction with representatives from Western
Power. This exemption provides Western Power with the ability to undertake
power restoration during a total fire ban.
Power restoration work is determined by Western Power after it conducts its own risk assessment on a case-by-case basis. DFES does not rely on the
reinstatement of power to ensure WAERN coverage.
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