City of Kwinana equips local fire crews with new military rated tablets

The City of Kwinana has equipped two local bushfire brigades with six military rated tablets in a bid to improve frontline firefighting efforts.

The tablets, installed in urban tankers and light tankers at the Mandogalup Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade and the Kwinana South Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade, will give crews access to fire ground mapping, record their fire responses and photograph evidence.

Mayor Peter Feasey said the tablets provide fast access to up-to-date and interactive digital maps, allowing for faster fire mapping.

“Crews can now map a fire ahead of any air intel and upload it into the map,” Mayor Feasey said.

“This allows for improved safety on the fire ground for brigade members, and enhances their responsiveness to fires,” he said.

The Samsung Galaxy Tablet Active 5 5G are rated to military standard specifications, designed to operate in extreme conditions.

The fire ground mapping application known as Firemapper can be used by City of Kwinana volunteer crews in their local area, adjoining Local Government areas, and across Western Australia in the event of deployment.

Approved applications, mounts and cradles were covered through the Local Government Grant Scheme which is sourced from the Emergency Services Levy collected to maintain the brigades.

Mayor Feasey urged all residents to be prepared this bush fire season by downloading the new Emergency WA app for emergency information straight from the source.

“Residents can download the new Emergency WA app or check the Emergency WA website for the fastest, most reliable access to alerts and warnings for hazards across the state,” he said.