❓ Ms. Quirk asks about the progress of the WA emergency radio network and interim communication measures. Mr. Johnson responds that a report is being compiled to determine the best approach, potentially integrating existing police communication systems.
AnsweredQoN 938Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
EMERGENCY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
I refer to the need for interoperability of emergency radio in the regions between various responsible agencies. (1) At what stage is the installation of the Western Australian emergency radio network, and on what date can we expect functionality of this system? (2) Until it is completed, what measures are being taken to ensure seamless emergency management communications, especially in the regions? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
I refer to the need for interoperability of emergency radio in the regions between various responsible agencies. (1) At what stage is the installation of the Western Australian emergency radio network, and on what date can we expect functionality of this system? (2) Until it is completed, what measures are being taken to ensure seamless emergency management communications, especially in the regions? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. I think it is a very good and genuine question. (1)-(2) I wrote to the chief executive officer of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia about six or eight weeks ago to ask her to compile a report for me on exactly what was needed for emergency communications throughout the whole of Western Australia. She is in the middle of compiling that report. She is discussing all the aspects with various agencies, including the police, because, as the member is aware, they have access to certain radio communications. She is also talking to bush fire brigades, local authorities and the Department of Environment and Conservation. She will report back to me very shortly on the best way to go forward with a communications system that is guaranteed to work throughout the whole of WA. Certainly, working with police is one area, because, as the member is aware, the police have quite a comprehensive communications system now, and various channels will be available to be used for other emergency purposes. That is why the CEO of FESA is talking to the police. Once she reports to me, I will talk to the police and try to ensure that, rather than all the different agencies having separate and duplicate communications systems for emergencies, we combine some of those systems. If there is the capacity to do so, it would make more sense and it would be a better spend of Western Australian dollars. I think it can work. I do not want to anticipate the report until it comes back to me, but my initial view is that we can look at something along those lines to make it work and to ensure that we have great cooperation between all the agencies. We have the capacity to do so. There is not a set date for the CEO of FESA to report back to me, but I expect the report within the next couple of weeks.
(1) At what stage is the installation of the Western Australian emergency radio network, and on what date can we expect functionality of this system? (2) Until it is completed, what measures are being taken to ensure seamless emergency management communications, especially in the regions? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the member for the question. I think it is a very good and genuine question. (1)-(2) I wrote to the chief executive officer of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia about six or eight weeks ago to ask her to compile a report for me on exactly what was needed for emergency communications throughout the whole of Western Australia. She is in the middle of compiling that report. She is discussing all the aspects with various agencies, including the police, because, as the member is aware, they have access to certain radio communications. She is also talking to bush fire brigades, local authorities and the Department of Environment and Conservation. She will report back to me very shortly on the best way to go forward with a communications system that is guaranteed to work throughout the whole of WA. Certainly, working with police is one area, because, as the member is aware, the police have quite a comprehensive communications system now, and various channels will be available to be used for other emergency purposes. That is why the CEO of FESA is talking to the police. Once she reports to me, I will talk to the police and try to ensure that, rather than all the different agencies having separate and duplicate communications systems for emergencies, we combine some of those systems. If there is the capacity to do so, it would make more sense and it would be a better spend of Western Australian dollars. I think it can work. I do not want to anticipate the report until it comes back to me, but my initial view is that we can look at something along those lines to make it work and to ensure that we have great cooperation between all the agencies. We have the capacity to do so. There is not a set date for the CEO of FESA to report back to me, but I expect the report within the next couple of weeks.
(2) Until it is completed, what measures are being taken to ensure seamless emergency management communications, especially in the regions? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the member for the question. I think it is a very good and genuine question. (1)-(2) I wrote to the chief executive officer of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia about six or eight weeks ago to ask her to compile a report for me on exactly what was needed for emergency communications throughout the whole of Western Australia. She is in the middle of compiling that report. She is discussing all the aspects with various agencies, including the police, because, as the member is aware, they have access to certain radio communications. She is also talking to bush fire brigades, local authorities and the Department of Environment and Conservation. She will report back to me very shortly on the best way to go forward with a communications system that is guaranteed to work throughout the whole of WA. Certainly, working with police is one area, because, as the member is aware, the police have quite a comprehensive communications system now, and various channels will be available to be used for other emergency purposes. That is why the CEO of FESA is talking to the police. Once she reports to me, I will talk to the police and try to ensure that, rather than all the different agencies having separate and duplicate communications systems for emergencies, we combine some of those systems. If there is the capacity to do so, it would make more sense and it would be a better spend of Western Australian dollars. I think it can work. I do not want to anticipate the report until it comes back to me, but my initial view is that we can look at something along those lines to make it work and to ensure that we have great cooperation between all the agencies. We have the capacity to do so. There is not a set date for the CEO of FESA to report back to me, but I expect the report within the next couple of weeks.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the member for the question. I think it is a very good and genuine question. (1)-(2) I wrote to the chief executive officer of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia about six or eight weeks ago to ask her to compile a report for me on exactly what was needed for emergency communications throughout the whole of Western Australia. She is in the middle of compiling that report. She is discussing all the aspects with various agencies, including the police, because, as the member is aware, they have access to certain radio communications. She is also talking to bush fire brigades, local authorities and the Department of Environment and Conservation. She will report back to me very shortly on the best way to go forward with a communications system that is guaranteed to work throughout the whole of WA. Certainly, working with police is one area, because, as the member is aware, the police have quite a comprehensive communications system now, and various channels will be available to be used for other emergency purposes. That is why the CEO of FESA is talking to the police. Once she reports to me, I will talk to the police and try to ensure that, rather than all the different agencies having separate and duplicate communications systems for emergencies, we combine some of those systems. If there is the capacity to do so, it would make more sense and it would be a better spend of Western Australian dollars. I think it can work. I do not want to anticipate the report until it comes back to me, but my initial view is that we can look at something along those lines to make it work and to ensure that we have great cooperation between all the agencies. We have the capacity to do so. There is not a set date for the CEO of FESA to report back to me, but I expect the report within the next couple of weeks.
I thank the member for the question. I think it is a very good and genuine question. (1)-(2) I wrote to the chief executive officer of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia about six or eight weeks ago to ask her to compile a report for me on exactly what was needed for emergency communications throughout the whole of Western Australia. She is in the middle of compiling that report. She is discussing all the aspects with various agencies, including the police, because, as the member is aware, they have access to certain radio communications. She is also talking to bush fire brigades, local authorities and the Department of Environment and Conservation. She will report back to me very shortly on the best way to go forward with a communications system that is guaranteed to work throughout the whole of WA. Certainly, working with police is one area, because, as the member is aware, the police have quite a comprehensive communications system now, and various channels will be available to be used for other emergency purposes. That is why the CEO of FESA is talking to the police. Once she reports to me, I will talk to the police and try to ensure that, rather than all the different agencies having separate and duplicate communications systems for emergencies, we combine some of those systems. If there is the capacity to do so, it would make more sense and it would be a better spend of Western Australian dollars. I think it can work. I do not want to anticipate the report until it comes back to me, but my initial view is that we can look at something along those lines to make it work and to ensure that we have great cooperation between all the agencies. We have the capacity to do so. There is not a set date for the CEO of FESA to report back to me, but I expect the report within the next couple of weeks.
(1)-(2) I wrote to the chief executive officer of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia about six or eight weeks ago to ask her to compile a report for me on exactly what was needed for emergency communications throughout the whole of Western Australia. She is in the middle of compiling that report. She is discussing all the aspects with various agencies, including the police, because, as the member is aware, they have access to certain radio communications. She is also talking to bush fire brigades, local authorities and the Department of Environment and Conservation. She will report back to me very shortly on the best way to go forward with a communications system that is guaranteed to work throughout the whole of WA. Certainly, working with police is one area, because, as the member is aware, the police have quite a comprehensive communications system now, and various channels will be available to be used for other emergency purposes. That is why the CEO of FESA is talking to the police. Once she reports to me, I will talk to the police and try to ensure that, rather than all the different agencies having separate and duplicate communications systems for emergencies, we combine some of those systems. If there is the capacity to do so, it would make more sense and it would be a better spend of Western Australian dollars. I think it can work. I do not want to anticipate the report until it comes back to me, but my initial view is that we can look at something along those lines to make it work and to ensure that we have great cooperation between all the agencies. We have the capacity to do so. There is not a set date for the CEO of FESA to report back to me, but I expect the report within the next couple of weeks.
(1) At what stage is the installation of the Western Australian emergency radio network, and on what date can we expect functionality of this system? (2) Until it is completed, what measures are being taken to ensure seamless emergency management communications, especially in the regions? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the member for the question. I think it is a very good and genuine question. (1)-(2) I wrote to the chief executive officer of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia about six or eight weeks ago to ask her to compile a report for me on exactly what was needed for emergency communications throughout the whole of Western Australia. She is in the middle of compiling that report. She is discussing all the aspects with various agencies, including the police, because, as the member is aware, they have access to certain radio communications. She is also talking to bush fire brigades, local authorities and the Department of Environment and Conservation. She will report back to me very shortly on the best way to go forward with a communications system that is guaranteed to work throughout the whole of WA. Certainly, working with police is one area, because, as the member is aware, the police have quite a comprehensive communications system now, and various channels will be available to be used for other emergency purposes. That is why the CEO of FESA is talking to the police. Once she reports to me, I will talk to the police and try to ensure that, rather than all the different agencies having separate and duplicate communications systems for emergencies, we combine some of those systems. If there is the capacity to do so, it would make more sense and it would be a better spend of Western Australian dollars. I think it can work. I do not want to anticipate the report until it comes back to me, but my initial view is that we can look at something along those lines to make it work and to ensure that we have great cooperation between all the agencies. We have the capacity to do so. There is not a set date for the CEO of FESA to report back to me, but I expect the report within the next couple of weeks.
(2) Until it is completed, what measures are being taken to ensure seamless emergency management communications, especially in the regions? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the member for the question. I think it is a very good and genuine question. (1)-(2) I wrote to the chief executive officer of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia about six or eight weeks ago to ask her to compile a report for me on exactly what was needed for emergency communications throughout the whole of Western Australia. She is in the middle of compiling that report. She is discussing all the aspects with various agencies, including the police, because, as the member is aware, they have access to certain radio communications. She is also talking to bush fire brigades, local authorities and the Department of Environment and Conservation. She will report back to me very shortly on the best way to go forward with a communications system that is guaranteed to work throughout the whole of WA. Certainly, working with police is one area, because, as the member is aware, the police have quite a comprehensive communications system now, and various channels will be available to be used for other emergency purposes. That is why the CEO of FESA is talking to the police. Once she reports to me, I will talk to the police and try to ensure that, rather than all the different agencies having separate and duplicate communications systems for emergencies, we combine some of those systems. If there is the capacity to do so, it would make more sense and it would be a better spend of Western Australian dollars. I think it can work. I do not want to anticipate the report until it comes back to me, but my initial view is that we can look at something along those lines to make it work and to ensure that we have great cooperation between all the agencies. We have the capacity to do so. There is not a set date for the CEO of FESA to report back to me, but I expect the report within the next couple of weeks.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the member for the question. I think it is a very good and genuine question. (1)-(2) I wrote to the chief executive officer of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia about six or eight weeks ago to ask her to compile a report for me on exactly what was needed for emergency communications throughout the whole of Western Australia. She is in the middle of compiling that report. She is discussing all the aspects with various agencies, including the police, because, as the member is aware, they have access to certain radio communications. She is also talking to bush fire brigades, local authorities and the Department of Environment and Conservation. She will report back to me very shortly on the best way to go forward with a communications system that is guaranteed to work throughout the whole of WA. Certainly, working with police is one area, because, as the member is aware, the police have quite a comprehensive communications system now, and various channels will be available to be used for other emergency purposes. That is why the CEO of FESA is talking to the police. Once she reports to me, I will talk to the police and try to ensure that, rather than all the different agencies having separate and duplicate communications systems for emergencies, we combine some of those systems. If there is the capacity to do so, it would make more sense and it would be a better spend of Western Australian dollars. I think it can work. I do not want to anticipate the report until it comes back to me, but my initial view is that we can look at something along those lines to make it work and to ensure that we have great cooperation between all the agencies. We have the capacity to do so. There is not a set date for the CEO of FESA to report back to me, but I expect the report within the next couple of weeks.
I thank the member for the question. I think it is a very good and genuine question. (1)-(2) I wrote to the chief executive officer of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia about six or eight weeks ago to ask her to compile a report for me on exactly what was needed for emergency communications throughout the whole of Western Australia. She is in the middle of compiling that report. She is discussing all the aspects with various agencies, including the police, because, as the member is aware, they have access to certain radio communications. She is also talking to bush fire brigades, local authorities and the Department of Environment and Conservation. She will report back to me very shortly on the best way to go forward with a communications system that is guaranteed to work throughout the whole of WA. Certainly, working with police is one area, because, as the member is aware, the police have quite a comprehensive communications system now, and various channels will be available to be used for other emergency purposes. That is why the CEO of FESA is talking to the police. Once she reports to me, I will talk to the police and try to ensure that, rather than all the different agencies having separate and duplicate communications systems for emergencies, we combine some of those systems. If there is the capacity to do so, it would make more sense and it would be a better spend of Western Australian dollars. I think it can work. I do not want to anticipate the report until it comes back to me, but my initial view is that we can look at something along those lines to make it work and to ensure that we have great cooperation between all the agencies. We have the capacity to do so. There is not a set date for the CEO of FESA to report back to me, but I expect the report within the next couple of weeks.
(1)-(2) I wrote to the chief executive officer of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia about six or eight weeks ago to ask her to compile a report for me on exactly what was needed for emergency communications throughout the whole of Western Australia. She is in the middle of compiling that report. She is discussing all the aspects with various agencies, including the police, because, as the member is aware, they have access to certain radio communications. She is also talking to bush fire brigades, local authorities and the Department of Environment and Conservation. She will report back to me very shortly on the best way to go forward with a communications system that is guaranteed to work throughout the whole of WA. Certainly, working with police is one area, because, as the member is aware, the police have quite a comprehensive communications system now, and various channels will be available to be used for other emergency purposes. That is why the CEO of FESA is talking to the police. Once she reports to me, I will talk to the police and try to ensure that, rather than all the different agencies having separate and duplicate communications systems for emergencies, we combine some of those systems. If there is the capacity to do so, it would make more sense and it would be a better spend of Western Australian dollars. I think it can work. I do not want to anticipate the report until it comes back to me, but my initial view is that we can look at something along those lines to make it work and to ensure that we have great cooperation between all the agencies. We have the capacity to do so. There is not a set date for the CEO of FESA to report back to me, but I expect the report within the next couple of weeks.
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