Queensland Rural Fire Service, Australia
First formed in 1948, the Queensland Rural Fire Service (RFS) is a large volunteer organization operating in areas not covered by an urban fire service.
There are 15 rural fire service districts in Queensland, servicing a population of about 530,000. The RFS comprises of 1,584 rural fire brigades, providing coverage across 93 percent of Queensland.
“Our field trials demonstrated that Tait portables performed well in a fire and smoke environment. Over the years Tait’s portable and mobile radios have proved to be very reliable.”
Andrew Vasta, Rural Manager, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service RFS
The Challenge
The RFS required rugged and reliable radio communications equipment that could operate effectively in a harsh environment. Firefighters are constantly exposed to extreme heat, fire and smoke, and in such severe conditions it is crucial they can communicate clearly and efficiently.
Tait equipment needed to meet specific requirements of the RFS, including splash-proof radios, reliable battery power, operating in extreme heat and able to be knocked around in an off-road situation.
The Solution
The RFS chose Tait portable and mobile radios as part of their radio communications solution for its truck fleet and firefighters.
Tait products were chosen for the quality of both product and service. VHF provides better coverage for the rural environment, and more importantly, better penetration in a smoky fire-ground.
Tait’s strong dealer presence in regional centers is also a major benefit for the RFS. Dealers are well equipped to program, deliver, service and repair Tait equipment, while providing effective support to the RFS.
Andrew Vasta, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service RFS Rural Manager is impressed with the Tait equipment. “Our field trials demonstrated that Tait portables performed well in a fire and smoke environment. Over the years Tait’s portable and mobile radios have proved to be very reliable,” he says.
Tait’s NiCad batteries, and the Tait portable’s ability to operate in extreme temperatures (-20°C to +60°C) are features well suited to the harsh environment.
The Tait portable radios are so durable that they work perfectly after being badly burned in a roaring bushfire near Brisbane in 2002. A radio fell out of the pocket of an RFS firefighter as he was battling to extinguish a blaze. He later found the charred radio in the centre of the fire ground, and sent it to a Tait dealer to report its durability.
