Community safety will be strengthened and first responders better protected, under a McGowan Labor Government plan to build a dedicated secure emergency services radio network.
The McGowan Government is investing more than $60 million for part one of a multi-stage project to build a State-wide shared emergency services communications network.
Various radio networks are already used by frontline public service agencies like Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and Prison Officers.
However, there is no capacity for police officers to communicate over the same channels as fire fighters and other emergency responders.
The first phase of the project is anticipated to enable the replacement of more than 11,000 end of life and outdated radio devices used by WA Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Justice.
Tenders are set to be released early next year.
It is anticipated that once the project in its entirety is complete, it will create a new network which could be used by WA Police Force, DFES, and the Department of Justice and other frontline agencies.
It will allow critical communications to be shared across agencies during emergencies, significantly enhancing the safety of first responders working on the frontline to protect our community.
The announcement follows the McGowan Government’s record investment in digital initiatives to modernise the WA Police Force.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“Our frontline responders take enormous risks on behalf of us all and in turn we must do our best to make sure they are protected.
“With our summers getting hotter; we know there is an increased risk of fire.
“We have to be more efficient in dealing with that and part of it means ensuring that our agencies can talk to each other.
“This measure is designed to ensure that responses to crises and emergencies are swift and seamless.
“It is part of my Government’s commitment to keeping Western Australia strong and safe.”
As stated by Police Minister Michelle Roberts:
“This new shared radio network will ensure co-ordinated communications between police, emergency services and corrective services in a way that has not been possible before.
“It reflects our Government’s ongoing determination to ensure that our police and other frontline responders are safe and have the best possible equipment.
“In the event of an emergency, it is critical that our police have immediate, co-ordinated and reliable communication with other frontline agencies.
“It can avoid costly delays which will minimise loss of life and property.
“This network is another feature of our ongoing commitment to our police and to the safety of our community.”
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan:
“Effective communication is vital during an emergency event and whatever we can do to make that a more straightforward and less complicated process, the better it will be for our emergency services and first-responders.
“The Department of Fire and Emergency Services already spends a great deal of time and effort trying to achieve the best radio and communications network for the State’s many different volunteer and career emergency services.
“This new shared radio network will lessen that burden considerably and give our emergency services and those on the front line one less thing to worry about.”
Police Minister’s office – 6552 6900
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