Perrottet Government finally commits to bringing the Volunteer Rescue Association's emergency communications capability up to scratch

 

The Volunteer Rescue Association of NSW (VRA) formed in 1969 says of itself :

NSW VRA has over 1500 volunteer members across 53 squads, including specialist rescue operators working for their communities across New South Wales. They are primary responders for Road Crash Rescue, General Land Rescue, Vertical Rescue and many types of specialist rescue encountered by Emergency Service personnel and primarily operate in rural and regional New South Wales. The NSW VRA also includes Aerial Patrol, Remote Area Communications, Cave Rescue, Ski Patrols, Swift Water Teams and other Rescue Support Teams.

The VRA funding model is a mix of government grants, community fundraising and donations. This model results in a very tight budget.

So when in 2018 then Premier & Liberal MLA Gladys Berejiklian and her then Treasurer & Liberal MLA Dominic Perrott had the bright idea of charging commercial rental rates for use of around 800 communications towers on Crown land and abolishing rent rebates, the VRA feared it would have to cease using these towers as the organisation couldn’t bear the additional costs.

Tower rental costs in rural and regional low population density areas were foreshadowed to increase by 19 per cent.

By November 2019 the NSW Coalition Government appears to have decided that rebates on communication tower rents could still be made to eligible organisations on application, but these rebates would still require payment of the statutory minimum rent.

I suspect that the $4.7 million government funding injection mentioned in the article below is in part a workaround for a situation that Premier Perrottet himself helped create in 2018-2019.

Echo, 9 January 2023:

The Volunteer Rescue Association of NSW (VRA) will soon have access to seamless communications coverage across the state.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said a $4.7 million government funding injection will overhaul the VRA’s radio network to bring it into line with the other emergency services.

The funding will provide for 421 new radios and equip 100 vehicles with Vehicle as a Node technology.

Vehicle as a Node

The Vehicle as a Node capability integrates radio, mobile phone and satellite networks to provide a communication system that is resistant to ‘blackspots’, which often occur when natural disasters impact infrastructure.

VRA Acting Commissioner Andrew Luke said the upgrade will also give volunteers access to a duress button that is centrally monitored.

‘At the press of a button our members can request urgent assistance if they are in danger, enabling an immediate response,’ he said.

A consistent and reliable radio network

Ms Cooke said this multi-million dollar boost will give VRA volunteers access to a consistent and reliable radio network which is compatible with other agencies and guarantees their ability to communicate anywhere in NSW.

‘The VRA is the only agency in the State solely dedicated to rescue and its volunteers and staff have done an incredible job, particularly over the past 12 months supporting flood operations.

‘The independent Flood Inquiry highlighted ways we can enhance our emergency response and we will continue to ensure first responders have the resources they need to keep regional, rural and remote communities safer and stronger.’

‘Being able to send and receive life-saving communications in all conditions is vital to the safety of everyone, including our 1,218 members,’ said Acting Commissioner Andrew Luke.