Groundbreaking telecommunications trial

POLICE and Emergency Services Minister Tim Holding last week launched a groundbreaking telecommunications trial in Mt Evelyn.
In May the State Government announced that it had chosen the Shire of Yarra Ranges to trial new emergency service technology.
The trial aims to connect emergency service personnel to homes across the state during emergency situations.
Using new technology, the Community Information Warning System (CIWS) allows police and emergency services to simultaneously telephone every household in a designated area, alerting people of impending danger. Mr Holding last week joined the Shire of Yarra Ranges mayor David Hodgett and Telstra business and government group manager Michael Consolo to meet members of the local community.
The meeting in Mt Evelyn also gave Mr Holding the opportunity to encourage further participation in the CIWS trial.
He said CIWS had the potential to revolutionise the way Victorians receive early warnings of emergencies.
“There is enormous interest in this trial and it will be watched by emergency management representatives nationally,” Mr Holding said.
Mr Holding said local residents had been very supportive of the trial, but that he would like even more people to participate.
Mayor David Hodgett said he could not think of a better place to launch the trial than Mt Evelyn.
He said that depending on the results of the trial, the new technology could be used locally, nationally or even internationally to inform people during emergency situations.
Telstra business and government manager Michael Consolo said the trial was a step towards Australia becoming the first country to have a national emergency service community warning system supporting existing emergency practices.