Crisis teams on the same wavelength

TASMANIA’S emergency services will soon be able to communicate more efficiently when responding to events such as fires and floods.

The State Government has released a radio network request for tender for a Tasmanian government radio network to be used by the likes of Tasmania Police, Tasmania Fire Service, and Ambulance Tasmania.

It comes five years after scathing report into the 2013 Dunalley bushfires found Tasmania police and firefighters were unable to communicate during the emergency because radio systems were incompatible.

The Department of Police, Fire, and Emergency Management is seeking a shared, P25compliant radio communications technology platform.

The tender states the “network will provide multiple user organisations with public safety mission-critical voice and narrowband data capacity”.

Police, Fire, and Emergency Management Minister Michael Ferguson said the tender request signified an “important milestone in the progression of Tasmania towards greater radio interoperability”.

“The network will facilitate interoperability between Tasmania Police, Tasmania Fire Service, Ambulance Tasmania, State Emergency Service, Parks and Wildlife Service, Sustainable Timber Tasmania, TasNetworks and Hydro Tasmania,” Mr Ferguson said.

“This will provide enhanced communication between government organisations, enabling them to better respond to emergencies, such as bushfires and floods.

“All government agencies have welcomed the move towards a standardised Tasmanian government radio network, and [it] will replace the five separate networks currently in use.”

In his report into the Dunalley bushfires, former South Australian Police Commissioner Malcolm Hyde made 103 recommendations on how to improve responses to major bushfires, all of which the State Government at the time agreed to adopt.

The request for tenders closes on March 8 next year. IF you want your favourite song playing at the city’s biggest New Year’s Eve party, here’s the competition for you.

The Mercury and the Taste of Tasmania have combined to offer three people a chance to co-ordinate the soundtrack for this year’s New Year’s Eve midnight fireworks on Hobart’s waterfront.

Tell us about a song that is close to your heart — one that has special meaning to you.

As well as having your song featured in the fireworks dis- play, each winner and the story behind the song will be featured in the December 31 issue of the Mercury.

Visit themercury.com.au/ entertainment/competitions or fill out the form above. Entries close on November 28.