The Tasmania Fire Service and State Emergency Service will tomorrow officially transition to the Tasmanian Government Radio Network (TasGRN), significantly increasing radio communication reach across the State.
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, said TasGRN will provide coverage in areas we have never had before, better voice clarity and, importantly, improvement to the safety of our firefighters and SES responders with duress functionality and GPS location for each radio.
“TasGRN is the most extensive upgrade to multi-agency emergency radio communications in Tasmania’s history and represents a $763 million investment by the Rockliff Liberal Government and partner agencies,” Minister Ellis said.
“TasGRN has been purpose-built for the needs of Tasmania, and brings TFS, SES, police, paramedics and Parks and Wildlife Service personnel on to a single, integrated radio network alongside Sustainable Timber Tasmania, TasNetworks and Hydro Tasmania.
“Already our TFS and SES have used TasGRN as part of search and rescue activities, fuel reduction burns, and during the response to the fires that impacted Coles Bay, Friendly Beaches and surrounds last week.
“Tasmania is one of the first jurisdictions in the world to have all emergency services operating on a single, secure radio network.
TasGRN is also integrated into other Tasmanian mission critical emergency service systems, taking full advantage of the new technology.”
Minister Ellis said that recent events both here in Tasmania and other jurisdictions have shown us how important it is to have reliable and secure communications to respond to bushfires, storm events natural disasters, and other emergencies.
The Rockliff Liberal Government will continue to invest in our emergency services to ensure that Tasmania remains one of the safest places to live and raise a family.