A new Emergency Services Computer Aided Dispatch (ESCAD) system unifying Tasmania’s Fire, Ambulance, State Emergency Services, and Police organisations will be implemented state-wide.
Fujitsu Australia will partner with local Tasmanian company, Synateq in implementing the A$6.5 million contract with a further $8.8 million paid for support and maintenance over five years.
Fujitsu will also employ staff from within Tasmania and relocate some staff for the duration of the project. Synateq would employ up to four extra staff. The Fujitsu system is currently in use by emergency services organisations in NSW, Queensland and ACT.
“The new ESCAD will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our emergency response departments, resulting in increased safety for those on the frontline and more Tasmanian lives saved in emergency situations,” state Premier Will Hodgman said
Mike Foster, CEO of Fujitsu, said: “We are very pleased to be working alongside the Tasmanian emergency services groups in the implementation of this essential system, which will help to ensure the best possible response to Tasmanians in need. Every minute in an emergency scenario can be the difference between safety and catastrophe. Fujitsu is proud to leverage our existing experience in Public Safety to ensure these critical situations can be managed with the utmost efficiency and precision.”
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ESCAD replaces three disparate computer aided dispatch systems presently operated by Police, Fire Services and Ambulance. Emergency Services has a manual system. The police system has been in operation since 1989. The massive Tasmanian bushfires in 2013 was the prime mover for an integrated system and tenders were issued in November 2015.
It will manage medical, police, fire and emergency incidents from the initial notification of an incident until its conclusion. The system is a valuable resource for emergency service call-takers, dispatchers, supervisors and emergency service responders as it can track the status and location of resources and analyse responses post-incident.
Part of the system implemented by Fujitsu will consist of Capita’s VISION CAD system software to record information such as brief details, taskings, attending officers, comments and timings.