Exercise an important test of life-saving new technology as bushfire season begins

The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to better protecting Tasmanian lives and property from the threat of bushfire.

That’s why we have committed to a record $28.5 million investment in the most comprehensive cross-tenure fuel reduction program in this State’s history.

In 2014-15, the total area subject to fuel reduction burns was 28,410 hectares, a significant increase on the 17,800 burnt in the previous year, which means that Tasmania is better prepared than ever for the coming bushfire season.

Today I was pleased to visit the Tasmania Fire Service’s (TFS) new Incident Control Centre at Youngtown in the State’s North, which is involved in this weekend’s Exercise Connect.

A joint TFS and State Emergency Service (SES) activity, Exercise Connect is designed to practice multiagency emergency communications, intelligence gathering and information sharing capabilities.

Field exercises are being held around the State, with a range of scenarios testing the capabilities of local brigades and units.

Exercise Connect is also evaluating the new Active Vehicle Location (AVL) system that has been fitted to nearly 400 TFS and SES vehicles to provide real time operational location capability.

The AVL system will enhance situational awareness during emergencies, such as bushfires, and, most importantly, will improve safety for Tasmania’s career and volunteer personnel.

Exercise Connect and this new technology come as the bushfire season has begun with an early and busy start.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Police and Emergency Management