Queensland Rural Fire Service - Australia

The customer

First formed in 1948, the Queensland Rural Fire Service (RFS) is a large volunteer organisation 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 1,584 rural fire brigades, providing coverage across 93 per cent of Queensland.

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. Specific requirements included radios that were splash-proof, had reliable battery power, could be knocked around in an off-road situation, and could operate in extreme heat.

The solution

The RFS chose Tait Orca Excel and Tait Orca 5015 portable radios, and T2020 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 smokey fire-ground.

Tait's strong dealer presence in regional centres is also a major benefit for the RFS. Dealers are well equipped to programme, deliver, serviceand repair Tait equipment, while providing effective support to the RFS. Andrew Vasta, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service RFS Manager Rural Equipment, is impressed with the Tait equipment. Tait T2020s have been in operation with the RFS since 1992, and Tait Orcas since 2000.

Tait's NiCad batteries, and the Tait Orca 5000's ability to operate in extreme temperatures (-20°C to +60°C) are features well suited to the
harsh environment. This Tait Orca Excel (pictured right) worked perfectly after being badly burned in a roaring bushfire near Brisbane in 2002. It 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.