NEW automated weather stations have been rolled out across the state, which authorities say could improve firefighter and community safety.<\/p>\n
Emergency services minister Jaclyn Symes and Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook trialled the new equipment at Heathcote fire station last week.<\/p>\n
Seven of the stations are portable, with three permanently located at Ballan, East Trentham and Glenburn.<\/p>\n
Acting chief officer Cook said the portable automated stations measure surrounding weather and transmit data to the CFA and the Bureau of Meteorology.<\/p>\n
\u201cFire is a true force of nature, and its behaviour can change in an instant, putting lives and property at risk,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccurate, localised and up-to-the-minute weather information on a fireground is critical to providing an effective emergency response.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a fire station like Heathcote, the previous closest Bureau of Meteorology weather station was about 30 kilometres away.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese portable stations will be used in remote regions where there are no permanent weather stations to provide reliable and accurate weather data,\u201d Acting Chief Officer Cook said.<\/p>\n
The ten weather stations cost $680,000 and were funded by the State Government. They can record temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and rain, with data transmitted using 4G or satellite technology.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe stations will help firefighters understand fire behaviour on the ground during a fire incident, or by measuring the weather conditions of an area in the lead up to and during planned burn events,\u201d Acting Chief Officer Cook said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have a huge potential to improve our planning and responses, thereby improving firefighter and community safety as well.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NEW automated weather stations have been rolled out across the state, which authorities say could improve firefighter and community safety. Emergency services minister Jaclyn Symes and Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook trialled the new equipment at Heathcote fire station last week. Seven of the stations are portable, with three permanently located at Ballan, East Trentham […]<\/p>\n