New Radios on the way for Deception Bay SES

Deception Bay SES will be one of the first SES units in Qld to get new and improved radios that will overcome black spots in the local area

The Deception Bay SES is one of the 79 units that will transition their radio communications to the Government Wireless Network (GWN) under a $15 million Palaszczuk Government Budget initiative

“We ask a lot of the SES in Deception Bay and they have always been first in when we have dealt with floods in our local community,” said Chris Whiting.

“And now they will have the strong and reliable radio communications they need to get the job done, instead of relying on the mobile phone network.

“Firefighters, police and paramedics are already using the GWN, which is a secure digital communication network that allows multiple agencies to operate on a single channel,”

“We’ve seen the benefits of GWN-equipped radios due to increased coverage and reduced communication black spots, and I’m pleased to see the SES in my electorate will begin using the network.

“This substantial investment means the SES will be able to fully integrate with other agencies during incidents, ensuring all of our fire and emergency services are operating from a single communication network.

“We ask a lot of our SES in times of need, so it is only right the Palaszczuk Government provides the support they need to keep Queenslanders safe,” Mr Whiting said.

Mr Whiting said the funding was included in Queensland Fire and Emergency Services’ (QFES) record $702 million 2018-19 budget.

SES groups from the border with New South Wales, out to Toowoomba and north to Gympie were due to transition to the GWN over the next two years.