Keeping communities connected during a disaster
THE loss of telecommunications during the 2022 floods challenged the response to the disaster and the recovery effort.
Now a $5 million initiative announced by the NSW Government aims to ensure communities stay connected when a disaster hits in the future.
One of the key recommendations of the independent 2022 Flood Inquiry was minimising disruption to essential services, including outages that compromise basic communication coverage.
As part of the response, the NSW Government is rolling out a range of new technologies including four Cells on Wheels units, which connect to the internet by satellite to provide free public Wi-Fi access.
Each unit can provide Wi-Fi coverage up to 500 metres away, while units can be linked to cover an even wider area.
Self-powered and mounted on trailers, the units can be dispatched within hours to provide temporary Wi-Fi connectivity when regular telecommunications infrastructure is damaged or destroyed.
The Cells on Wheels, also known as COWs, will be delivered this summer following the NSW Telco Authority awarding the contract to regional communication specialist Pivotel.
Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said the rollout of the Cells on Wheels and other technology showed a commitment to being better prepared for disasters and keeping people safe.
“In 2022 we found out the hard way that our communications networks were not fit for purpose in the case of a natural disaster, as mobile and Wi-Fi towers failed, leaving many communities completely isolated,” Ms Saffin said.
Premier Chris Minns said telecommunication networks can be limited, damaged or destroyed during emergencies when they’re needed most.
“We know this adds to stress, with people unable to connect with family members or access post-emergency information,” he said.
“This technology will help people contact loved ones and stay connected in times of need.”
Additionally, Service NSW has introduced eight Portable Connection Units which will provide Wi-Fi internet access in disaster recovery centres for staff and locals.
In addition to keeping the community online, the Government is also delivering new technologies to help emergency services personnel get on with their work. The Public Safety Network is the communications network used by emergency services and is critical for keeping them connected during a crisis.
Public Safety Network sites are similar to a mobile phone base station, typically featuring a tower and an equipment shelter. To quickly restore Public Safety Network outages caused by natural disasters damaging infrastructure, three fire-resistant portable communications shelters can now be deployed.
The NSW Telco Authority will also position 18 new trailer generators across the state, ready to be transported to Public Safety Network sites that have lost power in an emergency.