❓ A parliamentary question raises concerns about poor emergency communications in Noggerup, Lowden, and Mumballup, but the Minister denies the claims, stating radio communication is available and being enhanced by the WAERN project. The Minister clarifies FESA's communication protocols and the role of the WAERN project for inter-agency communication.
AnsweredQoN 2107Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware that residents and emergency workers in the areas of Noggerup, Lowden and Mumballup in the electorate of Collie-Preston have had recent experiences of poor fire emergency communications?
(2) Is the Minister aware that the only available communication for the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) and the Western Australia Police was at the local hotel?
(3) Is the Minister aware that these areas are poorly serviced by mobile phone and emergency communications coverage?
(4) What does the Minister intend to do to remedy this situation?
(5) When can the residents expect this situation to be remedied?
(6) Will the Minister instruct FESA to provide these residents with an emergency number to seek information in the interim?
(7) Is it the Minister’s intention to improve mobile phone coverage to these areas; and
(a) if so, when can this be expected to occur?
(8) What will the Minister do to assist the FESA workers in these areas to have reliable means of communication?
(9) Will the Western Australia Police have access to the same lines of communication?
(2) Is the Minister aware that the only available communication for the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) and the Western Australia Police was at the local hotel?
(3) Is the Minister aware that these areas are poorly serviced by mobile phone and emergency communications coverage?
(4) What does the Minister intend to do to remedy this situation?
(5) When can the residents expect this situation to be remedied?
(6) Will the Minister instruct FESA to provide these residents with an emergency number to seek information in the interim?
(7) Is it the Minister’s intention to improve mobile phone coverage to these areas; and
(a) if so, when can this be expected to occur?
(8) What will the Minister do to assist the FESA workers in these areas to have reliable means of communication?
(9) Will the Western Australia Police have access to the same lines of communication?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
1 April 2010
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
37 days
(1) No. Radio communication for FESA and Local Government Bush Fire Brigades is available in all of the localities mentioned.
(2) No. Radio communications (VHF Mid band) were operable for FESA, Local Government Bush Fire Brigades and Department of Environment and Conservation resources.
(3) Emergency Communications rely on a radio network independent of mobile telephone coverage.
(4) Not applicable
(5) Not applicable
(6) No. When an incident threatens lives or property, FESA activates the already established Public Information system which includes:
· FESA's recorded information line - 1300 657 209;
· Emergency broadcasts on local ABC radio stations;
· TV and radio news bulletins, print and online newspapers; and
· Depending on the severity of the incident, a staff community information line may also be setup with the number publicised on the recorded information line when available. A TV crawler displaying messages at the bottom of the screen may also be used.
(7) FESA does not rely on mobile telephone coverage for emergency communications in the operational field. Mobile telephone networks are not part of my Ministerial portfolio responsibilities.
(a) Not applicable
(8) The current radio network is being further enhanced by the implementation of the Western Australian Emergency Radio Network (WAERN) project which provides for greater inter-agency communications and resilience.
(9) WAERN is currently being deployed in the South West region and is expected to be completed by December 2010. Western Australia Police will have access to this network.
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(2) No. Radio communications (VHF Mid band) were operable for FESA, Local Government Bush Fire Brigades and Department of Environment and Conservation resources.
(3) Emergency Communications rely on a radio network independent of mobile telephone coverage.
(4) Not applicable
(5) Not applicable
(6) No. When an incident threatens lives or property, FESA activates the already established Public Information system which includes:
· FESA's recorded information line - 1300 657 209;
· Emergency broadcasts on local ABC radio stations;
· TV and radio news bulletins, print and online newspapers; and
· Depending on the severity of the incident, a staff community information line may also be setup with the number publicised on the recorded information line when available. A TV crawler displaying messages at the bottom of the screen may also be used.
(7) FESA does not rely on mobile telephone coverage for emergency communications in the operational field. Mobile telephone networks are not part of my Ministerial portfolio responsibilities.
(a) Not applicable
(8) The current radio network is being further enhanced by the implementation of the Western Australian Emergency Radio Network (WAERN) project which provides for greater inter-agency communications and resilience.
(9) WAERN is currently being deployed in the South West region and is expected to be completed by December 2010. Western Australia Police will have access to this network.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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