Testing technology that keeps NSW connected when disaster strikes   Fire and Rescue NSW recently led a major multi-agency exercise, Nightfall, designed to test new communications technology in the toughest possible conditions.   Held in Sydney’s west, the simulated large-scale emergency brought together FRNSW, NSW State Emergency Service, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the NSW Telco Authority to respond to a mock airliner crash during an intense weather event.   The goal? To ensure that when standard communication networks fail, during bushfires, floods, or major structural incidents, emergency services can still connect, coordinate and save lives.   Teams tested cutting-edge equipment, including: · Vehicle As A Node (VaaN) providing multi-bearer failover for all handheld devices including phones & radios · Live drone streaming for real-time situational awareness · Cells on Wheels (CoWs) to augment the degradation or loss of telecommunications carriers in times of crisis. FRNSW’s international Urban Search and Rescue specialists, including members who deployed to Türkiye after the 2023 earthquake, joined the exercise to trial these tools in realistic disaster scenarios.   This technology, funded by NSW Government is part of a broader effort to build safer, smarter, and more connected emergency response capabilities across the state. #NSWGovernment #FireAndRescueNSW #FRNSW #PublicSafety #Technology #DisasterResilience #PartnershipsInAction #ConnectedFirefighter 

Great work by all the agencies involved. Very important to test and refine capability ahead of operations!! Well done!!

Like
Reply
See more comments

To view or add a comment, sign in

Explore content categories