Perth system helps reduce death toll
Chinese use Aussie know-how to cope with disaster

A West Australian company has secured an international order worth more than $3 million for its world-class emergency communications system.

Perth-based Rescue Radio Corporation has developed the system that beams pictures and sounds from within a disaster zone to distant rescue organisations, providing accurate real-time information to help them focus their efforts on worst hit areas.

The company has received an order from China for 100 of its Rescue Radio systems which will be the first to be installed within communities throughout the country, in an effort to reduce the human death toll from disasters like the recent Sichuan earthquakes where more than 69,000 people have been found dead and 17,000 are still missing.

Managing Director John Barnes said “The first 48 hours are critical. Our experience with first response initiatives, particularly in Mozambique and Indonesia has taught us the importance of timely communications in saving lives.

“The Chinese have been quick to realise the potential of the system in providing accurate information about the extent of disasters within hours, not days, and reducing the terrible numbers of people who die because they can’t be found in time,” he said.

The Rescue Radio is a communications system which provides accurate information about the location, condition and circumstances surrounding survivors for both local and remote response groups. It allows planners and rescuers to see and talk directly with survivors from anywhere in the world, even if all the local communications infrastructure has been destroyed.

The units are compact enough to be bunkered and deployed by the very communities suffering natural disasters and don’t need to be carried in by specialist rescuers days later. They can operate continuously from their own batteries for 72 hours once deployed, unattended if necessary.

The company has sent representatives to set up an operations centre in Shanghai and begin the process of hiring local support staff to cope with installations and support of the systems.

“In addition,” Mr Barnes added “the Emergency Coordination Branch of the UN World Food Programme in Rome has expressed an interest and we will be talking further with them also in the coming weeks.”

For further information please contact:
jb@rescueradio.com

Trevor, VK4BAT

Wireless Institute of Australia