As families prepare for the Christmas break, Telstra is urging customers to think about their phone services when preparing for summer emergencies.

This suggestion comes amidst the largest testing of Victoria’s bushfire preparation and emergency management since Black Saturday. Telstra participated in the testing along with the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Victoria State Emergency Service (SES) and hundreds of emergency services workers and volunteers.

Coordinated from the CFA’s Kangaroo Ground Incident Control Centre with a staging area at Yarrambat Park, members of the Telstra Major Incident Management and State Managed Radio teams were there to see firsthand how communication systems operate on the ground during an emergency.

The exercise provided a unique opportunity to test some of our disaster planning processes which includes the communications support that Telstra provides to emergency service organisations to assist them in managing emergency situations.

We undertake detailed planning as part of our seasonal preparation for bushfires as well as other emergencies such as floods and cyclones. Our involvement in the exercise was an important part of that preparation.

It strengthened the relationships that Telstra has with emergency organisations and allowed us to test the critical communication processes that are in place.

We were privileged enough to be invited into the inner sanctum of the Incident Control Centre. We also went out with a CFA strike team who were ‘fighting fires’ on the day. This is as close as possible to observing operational communications without being involved a real incident

The Telstra team was on hand to support the deployment of communication systems and was able to showcase our emergency communications capability by deploying a Telstra Emergency Communications Kit (TECK). The TECK provided incoming and outgoing PSTN and fax services for the SES and CFA staff on the ground.

Telstra teams were also in the middle of the exercise to observe how the StateNet Mobile Radio Networks (SMR) operated during the exercise.

SMR is used by Police, Country Fire Authority and Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment in country Victoria as well as a number of other emergency organisations. It is a vital communication system in an emergency.

The simulation exercise was very worthwhile and gave Telstra an invaluable insight into the emergency services operations and the important role that our products and services play in emergency situations.
As families prepare for the Christmas break, Telstra is urging customers to think about their phone services when preparing for summer emergencies.

Telstra’s Disaster Relief Policy ensures the timely and effective delivery of support to affected customers and communities.