Project: Upgrading Victoria’s CFA

One of the world’s largest community safety and emergency service organisations, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) in Victoria, has selected Tait Radio Communications to replace its 10,000 handheld and vehicle-mounted radios.

CFA signed this $32 million contract to acquire new digital radios for its firefighters who are responsible for fighting all rural fires on private land in Victoria.

Tait’s Asia Pacific regional manager, Brett Smythe, says, “CFA’s dedicated team operates in challenging environments and extremely hazardous situations such as bushfires. Communication doesn’t get more mission-critical than that!

“The Tait TM9100 and TP9100 radios were designed specifically for police and firefighters, so are tough enough to withstand the harshest environments,” he said.

As well as being potentially deadly, a fast-spreading fire presents specific communications challenges.

The P25 radios can operate in both analog and digital modes and will replace CFA’s existing analog radios, which have been in service since 1995 and are now at the end of their service life.

The statewide installation project for the replacement digital radios is significant. They will be progressively introduced into service and the roll-out to CFA brigades and locations is expected to be completed by mid-2012.

The company will also provide maintenance of the equipment, so that CFA protects its investment in digital technology.

At the time of the contract signing, CFA acting chief executive officer Michael Wootten said the introduction of the new radios would take CFA’s field communications to a new and sophisticated level of operations.

“This is an exciting step and forerunner to a new generation of technology that will be the platform for the evolution of improved field communications for our firefighters,” Wootten said.

CFA brigades were consulted on the capabilities of the new radios, and a number of customisations for CFA use. This included:

• Manufacturing an orange casing so they are easy to see in low light on the fire-ground;
• The vehicle-mounted radios will have the option to send digital messages at the press of a button rather than relying on slower verbal radio response;
• Safety will also improve as firefighters will have the ability to instantly confirm receipt of ‘red flag’ warnings that detail changes in weather and fire conditions.

“The radios have in-built capabilities that will allow sending GPS information to pinpoint truck locations and short status messages from fire crews in the field.

“The digital mode will deliver clearer voice, especially in fringe areas, and will enhance the safety of all CFA firefighters in communities right across Victoria,” Wootten said.

The digital Tait portable and mobile radios are designed to filter out much of the background noise from helicopters, trucks, sirens, hoses and machinery for greater audio clarity.

Command and control depends on reliable voice and data communications. With location data combined with high-quality voice for accurate situation reporting, resources can be coordinated more effectively.

The radios will also allow CFA to communicate more effectively with other emergency response agencies as new digital networks become available.

By selecting the P25 open digital standard and a Compliance Assessment Program certified supplier, CFA has also ensured future flexibility as a variety of vendors’ radio equipment is interoperable.

Managing director of Tait Radio Communications Frank Owen added:

“We are thrilled to be setting up such an in-depth partnership with this type of public safety agency. Not just because our company focus is delivering real results, but because of the benefits we, as a New Zealand and Australian team, can bring to those men and women and the communities that they serve.”