SYDNEY, Australia, February 27, 2006 - The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service has deployed Cisco Systems ® switching, voice, and wireless technology to create Australia's first Internet Protocol (IP)-based mobile command centre.
Working closely with leading systems integrator, Dimension Data, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) has deployed the Cisco® networking technology to allow it to establish forward command positions much closer to the edge of major incident sites such as bushfires. The portable system allows fire officers to access and share tactical information such as incident plans, front-line status reports, maps, and weather reports downloaded from the Bureau of Meteorology Website.
Wayne Waltisbuhl, District Inspector, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, said; "We really rely on our field crews to give us up to date and accurate information: things such as weather conditions, fire behaviour and fuel loadings are so important for our team to develop objectives and strategies. If we can keep a fire to the smallest possible size, our job is much easier, and there's less impact on the community. This IP-based system helps us achieve those goals."
The system has been tested in some very challenging work environments. For instance, when fire crews are dispatched to fight critical bushfires, such as those which damaged nearly eight million acres in Queensland during 2002-03, the mobile command centre is ready to be deployed to pre-determined sites to provide logistical and communication support. The system was first deployed with full IP communications capabilities during a fire at Kilcoy in October 2004. Since then, bandwidth has been upgraded to allow more concurrent phone calls, video services and file sharing.
Nicholas Moss, Manager ICT Business Development, Department of Emergency Services (DES) Queensland, said; "the initial benefits of using IP communications technology in the mobile command centre were a reduced cache to transport and simplified deployment. It is now more akin to installing an end device at home rather than having to install a whole Private Branch Exchange (PBX) system."
The core components of the new QFRS mobile command centre installed by Dimension Data fit in the back of standard van, or in several station wagons for rapid deployment. The technology includes a Cisco 1760 Gateway, a Cisco Aironet 1200 Wireless Access Point, a Cisco 3560 power-over-Ethernet switch and several Cisco 7960 IP Phones. When the system is connected to the satellite dish, it provides voice, data, and video communications and network links to DES headquarters at Kedron Park in Brisbane.
John Winters, Cisco Queensland regional manager, said; "Internet Protocol solutions are increasingly being deployed by emergency services organisations across the world because they are more flexible, scalable and efficient than other communications technologies. We are excited to have begun this journey with the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and Dimension Data, who played a critical role in the project."
About Queensland Fire and Rescue Service
The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service is a division of the Queensland Government Department of Emergency Services and the primary provider of fire and rescue services throughout Queensland. More information can be found at http://www.emergency.qld.gov.au and http://www.fire.qld.gov.au.
About Dimension Data
Dimension Data plc (LSE:DDT) is a specialist IT services and solution provider that helps clients plan, build and support their IT infrastructures. Dimension Data applies its expertise in networking, security, operating environments, storage and contact centre technologies and its unique skills in consulting, integration and managed services to create customised client solutions. More information can be found at http://www.dimensiondata.com/au.
