Government Radio Network

In reply to the Hon. R.I. LUCAS (9 February 2016).

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety): I am advised:

The MFS is currently undertaking an operational trial of mobile computer terminals (MCT). An Intergraph application named 'Mobile Responder' is being trialled as the primary tool to provide incident and dispatch information to MFS appliances.

Mobile Responder is reliant on mobile coverage and all MFS stations are located well within mobile coverage zones.

Connectivity issues may be experienced when appliances travel outside of their area, or where there are mobile data outages. Should this occur, crews may rely on the South Australian Government Radio Network (SAGRN). The current use of the SAGRN has proved reliable and the MFS is comfortable that it is a suitably robust network which will be further enhanced by the continuing significant upgrade.

No radio communications system will be able to guarantee that it will be available everywhere 100% of the time, especially when under the extreme conditions and demands like those experienced during the Pinery Fire.

The MFS, the Police and all other Emergency Services agencies are well aware that access to commercial mobile phone and data services is often unreliable in the vicinity of emergencies and major community events. To account for that, the MFS has put in place fall-back arrangements it can quickly switch to in the event that the mobile responder/mobile phone system is not available for any reason.

The MCT being introduced by the MFS will complement the state's SAGRN and, therefore enhance the ability of the MFS to ensure its best possible response to emergencies.