WICEN Tasmania supporting fire service

WICEN Tasmania (South), assisted by other Radio Amateurs, has been providing support to the Tasmania Fire Service for the Wayatinah fire in the Derwent Valley, since February One. The fire involves over 6,000 hectares.

Fire fighting effort is divided into several sectors and has had multiple helicopter support. An incident management team, IMT, was established at Tas Fire Service at Cambridge.

WICEN (the Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network) supplies radio operators for the team.
Three shifts are worked each day, with some operators doing 'doublers' or 'triplers'. The job involves contacts with IMT staff, helicopters, and with Tas Fire, Forestry and Parks personnel on the fire ground. It includes message passing and collating weather reports.

Each radio operating team of two includes at least one who has completed training arranged by WICEN with the Tas Fire Service. This led to the awarding of certificates of attainment PUAOPE002A Operate Communications Systems and Equipment. The training recognised prior learning, satisfied by holding an Amateur Operators Certificate of Proficiency, and thus was able to focus on Fire Service systems, procedures and protocols.

The need for the training was highlighted during a previous WICEN activation during the Wielangta Forest fires, and is consistent with the WIA emergency radio operator training initiative.

The duration of the activation is yet to be determined.

Suitable volunteers are still being sought to assist experienced operators.

Contact should be to Stu VK7NXX on 6267-9537
http://tas.wicen.org.au/index.htm

Roger VK7ARN

Wireless Institute of Australia