38 Signal Boosters for RFB Stations
Wednesday, 1 Jun 2022
The RFBAQ has sourced funding to provide 38 mobile phone boosters for 38 Rural Fire Brigade Stations.
Overview
There are 28,000+ brigade members in 1,400+ Rural Fire Brigades that defend 93% of Queensland and to them communication is vital.
Poor communication can lead to delayed response times and may put property and life at risk.
Mobile phones are a vital communication source for many volunteers, though in areas of poor signal quality a booster can have an enormous positive impact.
This project will supply stationary mobile signal boosters by positioning 2 in each Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) area (19 areas, for a total of 38 devices).
The Telstra signal will be boosted, increasing voice quality, data speeds and battery life.
These units will be mounted within select Rural Fire Brigade stations / sheds (as decided on by the local RFSQ Inspector and local RFBAQ Representative).
What is it?
Mobile phone boosters enhance mobile coverage. If there is not coverage at all they will not work.
Fitting the units will mean that the rural fire brigade station to which it is attached can be a hub where mobile phones will work.
Which device has been chosen?
The choosen device is the Cel-Fi Go Stationary. This device is easily installed, with an external antenna mounted on a rural fire brigade’s shed, the device itself mounted inside, and an internal antennae for signal distribution. All necessary leads will be included.
Why have it?
In times of fire, rural fire brigade stations are used as staging areas and incident control posts. Having a mobile phone booster will provide a greater level of phone and data coverage for bushfire mapping tablets, mobile phone and the uploading/downloading of data.
In times of flood, many rural fire brigade stations are used to support people who are either trapped on the highway by rising floodwaters or have moved to the Rural Fire Station as a safer place.
A very good example of this is Broweena Rural Fire Brigade. It is on the road between two north / south highways, and in times of flood motorists get cut off from getting through to Maryborough.
Broweena RFB opens up their station for these displaced people and provides them with a safer place until the road again becomes passable. Broweena RFB has a fixed mobile phone booster on their station and this allows for stranded people to be able to use their phones and data.
During times of disaster, whether it be fire, flood or cyclone, people gravitate to and use rural fire brigade stations. These 38 facility improvements will ensure better connectivity.
What carrier signal will be boosted?
The units are locked to the Telstra network, who is the major carrier in rural areas and it is also the brand that the Rural Fire Service is using in rural fire brigade command vehicles and light attacks.
Who are they for?
Registered Rural Fire Brigades with stations/sheds who have limited mobile phone coverage and are staging areas or community hubs in times of disaster.
There are 2 units allocated for each of the 19 RFSQ Areas. (Emerald and Barcaldine are 2 separate RFSQ Areas even if the fire service are unwilling to acknowledge this fact).
How do brigades apply?
Brigade 1st Officers or brigade secretaries can contact either their local RFBAQ Representative or their local RFSQ Area Inspector. These two people will work together to agree on the best place for the units and also compile a list of brigades with a demonstrated need should the scheme prove popular.
RFBAQ contact list – https://www.rfbaq.org/reps
QFES/RFSQ contact page - https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/contact-us/find-us
If there is a larger demand for devices than the current 38, the RFBAQ will approach RFSQ about procuring more units.
Where do the approved units get sent?
If your brigade is approved for a unit the RFBAQ can post it directly to the brigade, the RFSQ Area Office or the RFBAQ Rep. That will be a local decision.
Who arranges to have the units fitted?
Each RFSQ Area Office will arrange for instillation of the approved units.
Have more questions?
Please contact Justin on 0428218507 or email gm@rfbaq.org