After the major communication issues in the Green Valley fire, Greater Hume Council is considering using a grant to buy satellite phones for RFS brigades.
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The phones are among a list of projects being considered for the second round of NSW government bushfire community recovery and resilience funding.
Communications were so unreliable during the height of the fire activity in January that a council staff member drove to Melbourne to buy satellite phones for staff.
Jingellic RFS Captain Alby Maras said the equipment was worthwhile, with the right support.
"It's a brilliant idea," he said.
"The only concern is the upkeep and the ongoing costs if they are purchased - whether the council will cover the ongoing costs or if it will be the burden of the local brigade."
Mr Maras said the phones would be very useful in a situation where mobile stations were destroyed and there should also be a focus on improving coverage overall.
As part of their submission to NSW Independent Bushfire Inquiry, Greater Hume Council recommended the federal and state governments increase funding to eliminate mobile phone black spots, particularly in high-risk bushfire prone areas.
Providing funding to local councils to purchase and maintain satellite phones for emergency response purposes and ensuring carriers have rigorous business continuity plans in place for disasters were also outlined.
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The inquiry only handed down one recommendation pertaining to telecommunications and did not address funding, instead finding there should be "efficient redundancy options available to supply power to essential telecommunication infrastructure or alternative telecommunications infrastructure".
In phase two of the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund, Greater Hume Council has a non-competitive allocation of $250,000.
The provision of satellite phones is estimated to cost $7500.
Other projects being considered are improvements to the Lankeys Creek Hall and catering equipment for the proposed Holbrook Sporting Complex Amenities Building.
