NSWRFS to implement statewide CAD-IRS dispatching

[Bigfella237]

Just reading that the NSWRFS will be trailing a "Computer Aided Dispatch - Incident Response System" in 2011/12 to work with the new "Vision CAD software" being installed by FRNSW.

Looks as if (once it's up and running) brigades will be paged for incidents directly from Homebush, not by local D/T/Z duty officers! They do say that "When appliances are on air, the RFS [state] ComCen will provide them with the incident details..." but it doesn't specifically mention a more wide-spread use of the GRN to achieve this (although it seems to be implied)?

"CAD-IRS implementation will be progressive and will take several years before we have it being used throughout the RFS. This approach is necessary to accommodate the major changes to how we undertake our incident response across the RFS.

The implementation of CAD-IRS will be one of the largest projects undertaken by the RFS and we need to ensure that everyone involved is ready and that all resources, systems and infrastructure are established before we “go live”. For this reason we’re planning to take a DTZ-by-DTZ approach with implementation, over a planned time frame.

The current response system will be maintained in the remaining DTZs until it is their turn to implement the CAD-IRS."

IMO it's about time somebody did something to improve RFS response times, there seems to be way too many 'steps' which must be gone through in the current system! Of course all this is academic if you can't get bums in seats, maybe they should do something about retaining volunteer members first?!

Andrew

[Garry]

NSW SES have already started answering all their 132500 calls in the Gong, it wont be long before something like the RFS plan is put into place for the gang in orange

[Longreach]

Yeah I've heard this being mentioned and the fact were heading to the GRN again. One of those wait and see things I'm guessing.
Just hope it don't end up being a bunfight like the ACT is right now.

[Bigfella237]

Lake George District RFS heard testing GRN coverage and PMR bridges on 30004 (GD35 L GEORG) today, they had a number of vehicles out driving around in known dead spots checking coverage and were linking and unlinking their PMR network with the talkgroup but the audio coming off PMR was crap!

Not sure if it's directly related to the centralised dispatch thing but I guess they're probably working toward it?

Andrew

[ivahri]

I think you will find that the RFS will do what every other large agency has done. If the GRN meets it coverage & capacity needs in an area it will use it, if it doesn't do that the PMR will be upgraded to P25 (or possibly some alternative). The agency people I talk to are all concerned with how best to use what funds Treasury are prepared to give us. Times are tight, real tight.

Cheers,

Richard

[SKEYGEN]

Just hope it don't end up being a bunfight like the ACT is right now.

ACT ESA are good at buying stuff just because it's being offered locally, not necessarily because it's fit for purpose or offers value for money. Firelink and the Fairbairn HQ are but two examples

I have a lot more faith in NSW RFS doing this properly.