The rollout of CFA's Connected Brigades Initiative has begun with the first 50 brigades now online.
The Connected Brigades initiative aims to provide a CFA-funded internet service to all brigades in an effort to improve communication between brigades, regions, districts and HQ as well as support brigades to participate in online training.
More than 1000 brigades across Victoria will benefit from this project.
The first interim phase of the project was to take financial responsibility for all brigade-funded Telstra internet services. This phase is now complete with CFA funding the internet for over 250 brigades.
The second phase is to rollout a standard and secure internet solution to all brigades. This rollout began in June and there are now more than 50 additional brigades live with the new service.
CFA's ICT Executive Manager Steve McCormack said the rollout was expected to take around a year, with brigades receiving the best solution available for their station location.
"Our people are required to participate in online training, video conferencing, and community based activities," Steve said.
"To do this effectively they need to have a reliable internet connection - this project achieves that."
Connected Brigades is one of 14 projects funded under the State Government's 2017 Fire Services Statement with the aim of ensuring CFA brigades are equipped with contemporary, high-standard equipment, tools and systems.
All brigades were invited to be part of the program with some choosing to opt out due to not requiring the service.
Telstra is managing the rollout and installation, and is working with individual brigades to arrange installation.
