Featuring a lineup of operational and support assets, the City of Sydney Unit brought together all the latest and greatest technology in one place, including a mobile incident command centre, cell on wheels, portable Starlink kits, unmanned surface vessels, enhanced flood barriers, high clearance vehicles and new all-terrain flood rescue four-wheel drives.
In the 2024-25 financial year, the NSW SES invested more than $16 million in new technology and assets to enhance flood rescue and storm response capabilities.
NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Dean Storey said the showcase reflects the NSW SES' commitment to continuously remaining innovative, agile and prepared for future disasters.
"As weather events continue to become more frequent and more severe, the NSW SES is strategically investing in technology that will strengthen our operational response," Assistant Commissioner Storey said.
"From drones and unmanned marine craft to high-mobility rescue vehicles and next-generation communications technology, we're always looking at ways to use technology to improve safety, efficiency and effectiveness.
"It's crucial our volunteers understand the full toolbox they have at their disposal and having events like this is important to make that happen."
Among the new technology on show were new portable Starlink kits, which proved invaluable during throughout the 2025 Snow Season to ensure search and rescue teams remained connected to command posts, the state operations centre and each other during responses in the Snowy Mountains.
Assistant Commissioner Storey said reliable internet connectivity was essential for volunteers in supporting effective emergency response.
"These portable kits mean that our teams can stay connected, even in the most remote or disaster-stricken areas, ensuring seamless communication and coordination," he said.
The SES will roll out more than 70 of the portable Starlink kits across the state early next year, to be deployed during severe weather events.
Also on display were reusable Boxwall Flood Barriers, which block and divert floodwater and are more efficient than sandbags to set up and store.
The barriers were used during Tropical Cyclone Alfred to divert floodwater from buildings in the main street of Coraki in the NSW Northern Rivers region.
"The barriers are capable of protecting critical infrastructure early and mitigating the effects of flood and storm damage in already inundated areas," Assistant Commissioner Storey said.
"They can create a protective barrier in a much faster time than traditional sandbags which take a lot of volunteer manpower to assemble and can only be used once. This will free up many of our volunteers to focus on protecting more lives and creating safer communities."
