The NSW Government is investing $7.7 million in new communications technology and emergency-response equipment intended to keep State Emergency Service teams connected when conventional phone and internet networks are unavailable.
The program includes portable internet kits, high-capacity connectivity trailers, three forward command vehicles, upgraded internet access in 230 SES vehicles and satellite tracking across the service’s rescue-vessel fleet.
The equipment is being progressively delivered and deployed across NSW. The announcement does not mean every system is already operational.
Portable internet kits for field teams
Portable Internet Connectivity Kits will give smaller SES teams access to internet, telephone and radio services while working in areas with limited or damaged communications infrastructure.
The equipment can be taken directly into the field during floods, storms and other emergencies, helping crews remain connected with local incident controllers and the NSW SES State Control Centre.
Eight kits will be allocated specifically to SES drone teams.
These kits will allow drone operators to securely transmit live footage from an incident scene to decision-makers, even when local mobile networks are overloaded, disrupted or unavailable.
Without a portable connection, drones may still capture footage but can have difficulty transmitting it in real time. The new systems are intended to allow aircraft to remain at the scene while providing continuing visual intelligence to incident-management teams.
Three forward command vehicles being delivered
The investment includes $1.5 million for three second-generation internet-enabled forward command vehicles.
These smaller command vans are intended to operate closer to an incident than larger mobile command centres.
Their more compact design should allow crews to reach restricted streets, remote locations and other areas where larger vehicles may not be able to operate effectively.
The vehicles will support communication between incident controllers and field teams, while also providing a mobile coordination point for local operations.
The government says the vehicles are being delivered, but it has not identified their final locations or confirmed when all three will become operational.
Five high-capacity connectivity trailers planned
Five internet connectivity trailers will be deployed across NSW SES zones.
Each trailer is designed to provide high-capacity internet access for more than 100 users during a major emergency.
The systems may be shared with police, fire, ambulance and other partner agencies, and could also support affected communities when local telecommunications networks are congested or damaged.
The NSW SES operates through seven geographical zones, although the government has not announced which five zones will initially receive the trailers.
The trailers should therefore be described as funded and scheduled for deployment rather than already operating in every part of the state.
Internet upgrades for 230 vehicles
A further $1.3 million will be used to improve connectivity in 230 NSW SES vehicles.
The upgrades are intended to give crews faster access to weather information, mapping, incident-management systems and operational updates while travelling or working away from an SES unit.
NSW SES has already introduced Vehicle as a Node technology in parts of its fleet, enabling equipped vehicles to communicate through 4G and satellite networks in addition to conventional radio systems.
The latest investment will expand mobile connectivity, although the government has not specified the exact equipment to be installed in each of the 230 vehicles or the date by which the rollout will be completed.
Satellite tracking for flood-rescue vessels
The program allocates $500,000 to install satellite tracking across the NSW SES vessel fleet.
For the first time, incident controllers will be able to monitor the near real-time location of equipped boats during flood rescues and other on-water operations.
The technology is intended to help controllers:
- Monitor the location and progress of rescue crews
- Allocate the closest suitable vessel to an incident
- Coordinate several teams operating across a flood area
- Maintain oversight of crews in high-risk environments
- Respond more quickly if a vessel stops moving or loses communication
Flood rescue operations can take place in fast-moving water, at night and beyond normal mobile coverage.
Satellite tracking should strengthen operational oversight, but it does not remove the risks associated with floodwater, changing conditions or communications failure.
SES units to receive Starlink and other upgrades
The government has allocated $915,000 for connectivity improvements at SES units, including Starlink satellite internet.
Satellite services can provide an alternative connection when fixed-line and mobile networks are damaged during disasters.
They may also improve routine communications at remote SES facilities where conventional services are limited.
NSW SES has previously displayed portable Starlink kits and mobile communications assets as part of its growing emergency-technology capability.
The announcement does not identify which units will receive upgrades or whether every participating location will receive the same technology.
Funding breakdown does not cover full total
The government provided the following breakdown:
- $1.5 million for forward command vehicles
- $1.4 million for connectivity trailers
- $1.3 million for vehicle upgrades
- $915,000 for SES unit connectivity, including Starlink
- $900,000 for portable connectivity kits
- $500,000 for satellite vessel tracking
These allocations total approximately $6.515 million.
The official announcement does not explain how the remaining approximately $1.185 million of the broader $7.7 million investment will be allocated.
It may cover related implementation, equipment or support costs, but no such breakdown has been publicly provided and those uses should not be assumed.
Rollout follows major fleet investment
The communications program builds on broader investment in NSW SES vehicles, boats and trailers.
The government says the SES invested $17.5 million during the previous financial year to deliver 166 fleet assets, comprising 63 vehicles, 30 boats and 73 trailers.
New high-clearance vehicles are also being introduced to strengthen flood-response capability ahead of the September-to-April storm season.
These specialised vehicles are designed to operate in extreme off-road environments and through floodwater up to approximately 1.2 metres deep.
However, members of the public should never attempt to drive through floodwater simply because an emergency vehicle may be capable of doing so.
Communications remain critical during disasters
Floods and severe storms can damage telecommunications towers, cut electricity supplies and overload mobile networks at the same time emergency services experience their greatest demand.
The new equipment is intended to create several layers of communication rather than relying on one network.
Portable kits can support small teams, trailers can provide capacity for major operations, connected vehicles can maintain access while moving, and satellite tracking can improve oversight of boats.
NSW Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said the investment would help volunteers respond more quickly and share information when communities needed assistance.
NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Damien Johnston said reliable communications were particularly important during flood rescues, where incident controllers needed continuing oversight of crews working in hazardous environments.
Full operational impact will depend on rollout
The investment establishes a substantial package of communications upgrades, but its effectiveness will depend on implementation.
Key details not yet publicly confirmed include:
- Where the three command vehicles will be based
- Which SES zones will receive the five connectivity trailers
- When upgrades to all 230 vehicles will be completed
- How many vessels will receive satellite tracking
- Which SES units will receive Starlink
- The use of the portion of funding not included in the published breakdown
- Training and ongoing operating costs for the equipment
For now, the most accurate description is that the NSW Government has funded a statewide connectivity program that is being progressively delivered ahead of future flood and storm operations.
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