State Comms Centre hits opening target • Global technology to 'empower heroes'

State Comms Centre hits opening target

Sydney unit anticipates dramatic improvements at new radio location.

The new high-tech State Communications Centre in Sydney’s northern suburbs began operations in mid-June, marking a major advance in MRNSW emergency response coordination.

The Belrose centre had been planned to ‘go live’ ahead of the Greater Sydney Regional Search and Rescue Exercise on June 26.

The goal was met when MR Sydney switched its radio operations over from its Terrey Hills base on Friday, June 18.

The first functions in the new facility, an introduction evening for new members and two public radio courses, were held in early June.

Unit Commander Matt King said it was a great feeling to already be able to use the new facilities for meetings and training.

He said unit members, Headquarters staff and supplier teams had worked hard to have the centre ready for the move.

The relocation was scheduled for a week day to avoid any disruption to busier weekend operations.

UC King said the challenges of connecting an array of complex new technology had been further complicated by poor weather delaying the installation of communication links for the centre’s radios, phones and internet.

The radio room incorporates an impressive video wall, new Frequentis communications and purpose-developed operator workstations. The video array provides radio operators and watch officers on duty with enhanced situational awareness, displaying Seahawk, the MRNSW status board, AIS, charts and news feeds.

“While there are always challenges with any new significant project, the rewards and operational benefits delivered through the new State Communications Centre will be a dramatic improvement over our current system,” UC King said.

Pamela Sayers

Marine Rescue Sydney Unit Commander Matt King and Deputy Sandy Howard test the State Communications Centre video wall.

Global technology to ‘empower heroes’

New mission-critical dispatch system to enhance rescue response.

Leading communications technology used in missioncritical control centres worldwide has been selected as the new marine radio call taking and dispatch system for MRNSW.

Director Operations Andrew Cribb said Frequentis technology had been selected to enhance Marine Rescue’s emergency communications and response.

“By choosing this solution, we will ensure Australia’s leading volunteer marine rescue team has the most up-to-date equipment to handle emergencies and feel confident that they have crucial information at their fingertips,” he said.

Frequentis technology is currently used by Sydney Trains, at the Rescue Coordination Centre in Canberra and in air traffic control.

The new dispatch system is initially being installed in the new State Communications Centre at Belrose and the MR Botany Port Hacking radio base.

“It will allow operators to maintain situational awareness and effectively manage complex and busy periods using a single, intuitive console, enabling them to access and communicate critical information quickly and easily,” Mr Cribb said.

The technology was trialled at the MR Terrey Hills base over summer, with its volunteers heavily involved in the development of the product.

“Frequentis has also developed some additional functionalities to cater for our specific needs,” he said.

Mr Cribb said the system provided a range of additional features, including an audio delay function to reduce echo from multiple radios relaying a single call, mapping and radio display coverage.

Frequentis Head of Maritime Australasia Ruth Trojan said the company understood safety-critical industries and “the role technology plays in empowering Australia’s heroes out on the water”.

She said the solution had been introduced in a training environment to enable radio operators to give valuable feedback and their requirements to be further assessed.

“This close collaboration with all stakeholders allowed finetuning of the highly configurable system to ensure Marine Rescue’s needs and the essential radio communications to help vessels in distress could be delivered,” Ms Trojan said.

New Frequentis dispatch technology is critical to operations of the MRNSW State Communications Centre at Belrose.