$7.7 million investment to keep communities connected and improve disaster response

This $7.7 million investment by the Minns Labor Government helps ensure frontline emergency service volunteers remain connected and equipped to assist communities during floods, storms and other incidents.

Portable Internet Connectivity Kits will provide smaller teams in the field with access to internet, phone and radio services, while larger connectivity trailers will support more than 100 users during major incidents and can be shared with partner agencies.

Eight of the portable connectivity kits will be allocated to SES drone operators, allowing them to securely transmit live vision from the scene of an incident directly to Incident Management Teams or the State Control Centre. The kits mean drones can remain onsite delivering vital vision when operating in an area with limited connectivity or where communication infrastructure is impacted.

In order to maintain constant contact between incident controllers and SES field teams, three specialised forward command vehicles are also being delivered to support on scene communications and coordination. The vans are designed to be agile so they can get to restricted locations that larger mobile command centres cannot reach.

SES vehicles will also receive improved connectivity, with 230 vehicles receiving faster, high-speed internet to improve access to live information.

Five new internet connectivity trailers will also be deployed to SES zones, providing high-capacity internet access for SES members, partner agencies and communities during major floods, storms and other emergency operations where networks are limited, overloaded or down.

Vessels will be trackable for the first time, with satellite technology installed across the SES fleet to allow real time monitoring during flood rescue response and on-water operations, helping direct resources, monitor teams and make effective decisions during tasking.

The connectivity upgrades include:

• $1.5 million for Generation 2 internet-enabled forward command vehicles
• $1.4 million for internet connectivity trailers
• $1.3 million for vehicle improvements
• $915,000 for internet connectivity upgrades at SES Units including Starlink
• $900,000 for internet connectivity kits
• $500,000 for satellite vessel tracking

This investment builds on the delivery of 10 new High Clearance Vehicles ready for the September to April storm season, when the frequency of storms, strong winds and heavy rain typically increases. Last financial year the SES invested $17.5 million to deliver 166 fleet assets including 63 vehicles, 30 boats and 73 trailers.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

"These connectivity and fleet upgrades delivered across the State are an investment in the safety and resilience of local communities and will support our SES volunteers during challenging emergencies."

"Together, these upgrades will help our SES volunteers respond faster, share information more easily and stay connected when communities need support most."

"This investment is about giving our SES volunteers modern, reliable communication tools to do their job effectively and provides another tool in the toolkit to improve how we communicate during natural disasters."

"As we prepare for the summer, we know our first responders will be called out to a wide range of incidents and this new technology will improve interoperability across our emergency services."

Quotes attributable to NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Damien Johnston:

"Reliable communications are critical during disasters and when traditional networks fail, our teams must remain connected."

"These upgrades improve situational awareness, coordination and, most importantly, the safety of our members and the communities they serve."

"Flood rescues are high-risk operations, and having near real-time vessel tracking strengthens our response, improves oversight and ensures our crews are supported and accounted for at all times."