CFA rolls out more radios

Already, some 1,500 of the new radios have been delivered to CFA brigades in the Eastern, Northern & Western and Southern CFA regions and in Districts 7 and 12. The roll-out of the new portable radios, which began in December 2011, continues in those CFA districts where training of brigade personnel has been completed. All CFA fire brigades will get the new radios including rural brigades that have not previously had portables.

Radio Replacement Project Director Doug Booth said the issue of the new portable radios is on track to be completed by the middle of this year. “We’ve turned the corner and are now in the home straight. It’s a tribute to the enormous effort of the engineering team,” Doug said.

“The direct support, too, of 23 brigades and CFA operations staff in the evaluation and testing of the enhanced version of the portable radio was of enormous assistance in the progression of this project.”

The Tait portable radio is a generational change in emergency communication technology that will ultimately see CFA operating its radios in digital mode.

The CFA enhanced version of the Tait portable radio evolved following feedback from the field that identified some concerns including low audibility, voice clarity and water shedding capability. Since then the radio replacement team has been working closely with Tait engineers, and a number of health and safety representatives to determine the cause of the problems and find solutions to extract best performance from the radios.

CFA conducted extensive testing of the portable radios following these modifications.

According to Doug Booth this testing has resulted in a better radio that features customised CFA functionality. “Essentially we have set out to design customisations and oversight the development and modification of the product to ensure that our members have a highly reliable, easy to use and robust portable radio available in the field.”

Following modifications the new enhanced portable radios were tested under the most arduous and tough conditions. “To improve water-shedding capability we subjected the radios to full water immersion and direct spray from a fire hose. The radios continued to operate after these tests with little or no loss of audibility,” Doug noted. “This series of enhancements made to the final version of the portable radio has resulted in a more robust and reliable unit that can withstand the rigours of the fireground.”

Doug said the new portables are now field proven and can sustain the punishing environment of the fireground. “They’re also easier to sight in dark or smoky conditions due to their bright orange casing.”

While the portable radio roll-out progresses, so too does training to meet the needs of CFA volunteers and staff. More than 15,000 personnel have now been given instruction on the new portable radios.

CFA’s Radio Replacement Project also includes the installation of mobile radios and vehicle mounted radios and the development of transportable or ‘bag’ radios.  These units are also being progressively introduced into service this year.