NSWTA leads the TELCOFA, which involves providing 24-hour coordination of telecommunications support to protect telecommunications infrastructure during emergencies and incidents at a state and regional level.
NSWTA’s TELCOFA vehicles enable staff to be deployed as TELCOFA Duty and/or Liaison Officers to State Emergency Operations Centres or Regional Emergency Operation Centres in an emergency or critical incident.
When TELCOFA staff are deployed, it is often to regional areas where services may be impacted and there may be limited coverage.
The vehicles provide swift, deployable mobile connectivity solution and can operate where there is limited or no connectivity.
The vehicles allow staff to stay connected by setting up a mobile office anywhere, anytime. This is especially useful during all phases of an emergency operation.
The vehicles are equipped with Public Safety Network radios allowing staff to communicate with each other, or with Emergency Services Organisations when needed.
They are also equipped with redundancy features including rooftop satellite backhaul, back-up power supplies, uninterrupted power supply systems, flyaway kits, fuel supplies, and an onboard generator.
The vehicles now have the capability to create a wide-area coverage wi-fi network within the vicinity of the vehicle.
In addition, the vehicles are now equipped with an improved power configuration including an inverted solar powered system.
Recent upgrades have also strengthened their response capabilities, including the ability to more safely tow mobile radio assets like generators and Cells on Wheels.
These critical upgrades will ensure that NSWTA staff can stay connected and safe, enabling them to more effectively protect telecommunications infrastructure ahead of the bushfire season.
