Gateway Improving Communication between Police and Emergency Services

Tasmania’s emergency services are now better able to communicate directly with each other using their mobile radio networks, thanks to investment by the Liberal Government.

An Interoperability Gateway connecting the radio networks used by Tasmania Police and emergency services, allowing direct communications when required, is now operational.

The need for this was made clear in the 2013 Tasmanian Bushfires Inquiry, while a Tasmanian Audit Office Report into Government Radio Communications also highlighted the previous shortcomings.

Thanks to the Interoperability Gateway, police, ambulance, fire and SES personnel around the State can now exchange on-scene operational information in real time, rather than using mobile phones to talk to each other in emergencies.

This will improve the efficiency of police and emergency service operations, and help keep personnel and members of the community safe.

The $500,000 Interoperability Gateway is a solution that has been developed by Ericsson and partner Harris Corporation to provide mobile radio connectivity between the radio networks used by our police, fire and ambulance services.

The Gateway will also be used by the State Emergency Service, TasNetworks, Hydro Tasmania, the Parks and Wildlife Service and Forestry Tasmania.

Work is continuing on a common radio network for police and emergency services and other government radio users.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Police and Emergency Management