NEWS RELEASE
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT RADIO NETWORK (SAGRN)
1 DECEMBER 2015
The CFSVA is greatly concerned by the failure of the SAGRN during the Pinery fire, and is in the process of investigating the circumstances.
The State Government has been warned and has known for many years of blackspot that exist in the Gilbert Valley, Northern Flinders, the Adelaide Hills, Mintaro, Yorke Peninsula and Kingston.
In 2013 the CFSVA called on Government to immediately implement solutions for known blackspots to ensure the safety of our CFS volunteers and members of the public. It is unacceptable to expect CFS volunteers to put their lives on the line by responding to emergencies without appropriate communications.
CFS pays almost $12 million of its annual budget to the Attorney General Department for the use of the SAGRN network and there is no excuse for the system failing, especially at crucial times.
In April this year Minister Piccolo indicated that the final stages of the SAGRN network would be completed in September 2017. This time frame is absolutely unacceptable.
Government must heed the warnings and commence immediate rectification work in identified blackspot areas as it only a matter of time before lives are lost as a result of Government inaction.
Sonia St Alban
Executive Director
Country Fire Service Volunteers’ Association (Inc)
Mobile: 0408 133 349
 Media Statement CFSVA Dec 2015 |