TasGRN expansion boosts emergency comms in Tasmania

Motorola Solutions, in collaboration with Telstra, has expanded the Tasmanian Government Radio Network (TasGRN) to 400 sites across the state.

The expansion aims to enhance the management of incidents and emergencies by providing improved communications capabilities for first responders and government personnel. This development comes as emergency services in Tasmania prepare for the Australasian Police & Emergency Services Games in Hobart.

Over the previous year, the TasGRN network has facilitated approximately 310,000 voice calls, totalling nearly 1,000 hours each month. The network's performance underscores its significant role in supporting Tasmania's emergency services and first responders.

Renee Oates, the AP&ES Games Director from Tasmania Police, emphasised the advantages of the expanded network: "From the athletics track to the mountain bike course, the 2,200 athletes that descend on Tasmania will see that our agencies are supported by a world-class emergency communications network that enables them to connect with clarity and confidence wherever they roam across our island state. Thanks to TasGRN's reliable and secure voice and data communications, Tasmania's emergency services are better equipped to respond to complex and unpredictable events including bushfires, storms and other threats to public security."

Con Balaskas, Managing Director for Motorola Solutions Australia and New Zealand, noted that the expansion is aligned with the goals of emergency responders participating in the Games. "In the same way that first responders competing in these Games aim to become faster, higher and stronger, we're continuing to expand and develop TasGRN to help Tasmania's responders fulfill their mission today and well into the future," he stated. "This includes bolstering the network with broadband push-to-talk services so that different response agencies can communicate on any network or device for strengthened collaboration, incident awareness and safety."

Since its inception in 2021, TasGRN has enhanced the safety and coordination of public safety agencies and government organisations through its secure and interoperable communications framework.

Motorola Solutions has provided mission-critical communications systems and services throughout Australia, including networks for Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.