WICEN NSW in Dural, New South Wales, Australia | Public & government service

WICEN NSW

Locality: Dural, New South Wales, Australia

Phone: +61 408 397 217

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25.01.2022 Communications operators of WICEN NSW, a specialist communications squad of the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc. receive the NSW Bushfire Emergency Citation. Over 30 WICEN NSW VRA volunteers have been awarded the citation for their dedication to service over the 2019-2020 bushfire emergency. During the Black Summer of October 2019 to February 2020, WICEN NSW members served as radio operators and Incident Management Team staff in RFS Fire Control Centres across NSW, and ...as operators on the NSW Bushfire Information Line at RFS HQ in Sydney. A WICEN NSW task force established and maintained an emergency radio network for government recovery services in the Bega area after the local communications infrastructure had been destroyed. Other WICEN NSW members served continuously every day across this period in administrative and management support of the broader NSW VRA response. The NSW Bushfire Emergency Citation recognises the sustained commitment and dedication of the WICEN NSW VRA volunteers to public service throughout this unprecedented crisis. #vrarescue

24.01.2022 WICEN NSW radio operators continue working in the RFS Incident Management Team in Glen Innes, where the Northern Tablelands region has been experiencing an Extreme Fire Danger Rating with multiple fires in the area. #vrarescue

23.01.2022 WICEN NSW continues its support of the NSW RFS with Incident Management Team operators at fire control centres and Bushfire Information Line operators at NSW RFS HQ. #vrarescue

23.01.2022 Volunteer Protection Order Special provisions to protect the employment of volunteers have been enacted due to the current fire situation across NSW. A Volunteer Protection Order was enacted by NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons on Monday 28 October 2019.... The NSW Premier has now extended the Order for a period of up to 14 days. Under the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989, the Volunteer Protection Order allows for penalties for employers who victimise staff for being absent when theyre engaged in emergency operations. It applies to NSW Volunteer Rescue Association personnel and volunteer emergency workers from the NSW RFS, NSW State Emergency Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, and Ambulance Service of NSW. Under the Order, it is illegal for an employer to adversely change the employment arrangements of a volunteer who is covered by the order. This includes staff who are terminated or have their position changed to their detriment while theyre engaged in operational activity. The Order does not obligate employers to release employees or provide paid leave. In most cases, where there is an issue or disagreement with an employer, these can be resolved through discussion or consultation. The order relates to volunteers taking part in emergency operations in response to fires in the following Local Government Areas: Gwydir, Narrabri, Kempsey, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Mid-Coast Regional, Richmond Valley, Nambucca, Tamworth Regional.

22.01.2022 On 27-29 September, WICEN NSW participated in Barrington SAREX 2019, a multi-agency remote Land Search and Rescue Exercise led by Rescue & Bomb Disposal - NSW Police Force and involving NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue Unit, NSW Ambulance and The Salvation Army Strategic Emergency & Disaster Management Australia . This is the ongoing search for the Cessna aircraft VH-MDX with 5 passengers and crew, missing since 1981. WICEN NSW and SES Operational Support Unit established and maintained a multi-agency communications network in support of the remote area Land Search and Rescue operation. #vraresuce

22.01.2022 A message from VRA Commissioner Mark Gibson: On behalf of the NSW VRA A sad day on the fireground overnight with two RFS members losing their life. Let us remem...ber their families, friends, mates and work colleagues. They gave the ultimate sacrifice protecting us, the people of NSW. Two volunteers with shattered families. We leave home to go to work and expect to return home that day. Lets keep these two RFS members their families, friends and work colleagues in our thoughts and prayers. Also pray for the injured firefighters who are recovering from severe burns. #vrarescue See more

21.01.2022 WICEN NSW operational training and readiness continues during the COVID-19 crisis with ongoing radio nets and online training sessions. Operational maintenance is currently being undertaken at the Chatswood repeat site, but WICEN NSW continues to maintain operational readiness. WICEN NSW is a specialist squad of the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc. #vrarescue

21.01.2022 WICEN NSW member Wade attended the NSW RFS Air Radio Operator course at the NSW RFS Training Academy in Dubbo last weekend. Wade reports that it was a fantastic course and a good chance to do some familiarisation with some of the work horses of the fleet, BOMBER 251 and 254 and FIREBIRD200. #vrarescue

21.01.2022 He is at it again today.

20.01.2022 For those people who are unsure about the status of WICEN NSW and the WIA please see this link: http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk2/WICENNewSouthWales/

20.01.2022 WICEN NSW and NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc. Commissioner Mark Gibson featured in this ABC coverage of the current NSW bushfire response.

19.01.2022 Thank you WICEN for your help with the Barrington 2019 SAREX. Pinnacle to the safety and success of the exercise.

18.01.2022 WICEN NSW, a squad of the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc. has deployed a communications task force to Bega on the NSW South Coast to assist in the bushfire emergency under the direction of the NSW RFS. This task force has been assembled with the assistance of NSW VRA squad CREST, and WICEN ACT. The WICEN NSW task force has established a temporary network consisting of a deployed portable repeater and mobile communications vehicle to provide radio communications with NS...W VRA squads working in the area, and for Bega Valley Council, after the destruction of local communications infrastructure. The WICEN NSW task force is assisted in its tasks by NSW VRA, NSW SES, NSW RFS and Bega Valley Council. WICEN NSW continues its deployments of Incident Management Team communications operators to RFS Fire Control Centres and operators to the RFS Bushfire Information Line. #vrarescue

18.01.2022 NSW Volunteer Rescue Association members continue to be deployed from around the state to assist combat agencies as fire continues to devastate communities acro...ss NSW. Members from approximately 18 squads are assisting with general land rescue, relieving local VRA squads with operational responsibilities, as well as assisting with logistics, evacuation centres and responsibilities required by the local Emergency Operation Centres. Members from Quirindi, Lithgow, Cessnock, Central Coast, South Coast, Mendooran and Dubbo are currently assisting at Narooma. Meanwhile, Wagga, Deniliquin and WICEN members are on site at Bega providing communication assistance and establishing a communications tower, they were later joined by the South Coast Squad that travelled from Narooma. Today members from the Southern Region (Leeton, Binalong, Corowa and Deniliquin) are assisting with the Dunns Road Fire near Tumut. These volunteers would like to thank the employees of their members who are supporting them in what theyve been trained to do help anyone, anywhere, anytime. A donation run is also currently underway from Narrandera to Tumut, which involves the delivery of food, water and other necessities for those affected by fires. NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Commissioner, Mark Gibson ESM, has praised the efforts of the NSW VRA volunteers as they continue to work closely with the Rural Fire Service to provide ongoing support during this devastating event. As we begin today, lets keep in mind the VRA members deployed around the state assisting our combat agencies, Commissioner Gibson said. It would be wonderful if all the planning for today did not have to be utilised. However, if we need to, its ready to go. The support I have received from our members, as I request support around the state, has been nothing short of excellent. I am a very proud Commissioner. Quirindi and District Rescue Squad - NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc. Lithgow & District Rescue Squad - NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc.Cessnock District Rescue Squad - NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc. Central Coast Rescue Squad - NSW Volunteer Rescue AssociationMendooran Rescue Squad Dubbo Rescue Squad - NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc Wagga Wagga Rescue Squad - NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc. Deniliquin Rescue Squad - NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc. WICEN NSW Leeton Rescue Squad - NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc. Binalong Rescue Squad - NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc.Corowa Rescue Squad - NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc. Narrandera Rescue Squad - NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc. Albury & Border Rescue Squad - NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc. #vrarescue

18.01.2022 Over the weekend of 14-16 June, WICEN NSW provided communications support for the Glow Worm Tunnel Trail Marathon Weekend by establishing and operating a remote area communications network. Remote area communications in support of emergency operations is a key capability of WICEN NSW in its role as an specialist support squad of the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc.

17.01.2022 #OnThisDay in 1954, Alan Turing died. Turing was an amazing mathematician, computer scientist and cryptanalyst whose contribution to Bletchley Park, and computi...ng, will never be forgotten. Those who can imagine anything, can create the impossible. Hut 11A | Visit Bletchley Park to learn more about his incredible achievements, including displays in Block B, Hut 8 and Hut 11A: https://bletchleypark.org.uk//hut-11a-the-bombe-breakthrou

17.01.2022 This week is International Control Room Week, and it's a great opportunity to showcase the control room operations performed by WICEN NSW communications operators! WICEN NSW is a specialist communications squad of the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc. WICEN NSW communications operators can be found working in a wide range of control centres for different emergency service agencies at times of crisis. They can be assisting in the management of bushfires with the NSW RFS,... or in the management of storms with the NSW SES. They can be the calm and reassuring voice over the phone assisting the public in time of dire bushfire emergencies on the NSW Bushfire Information Line. WICEN NSW operators can also be found in makeshift, remote area forward command centres in the field, in their role as remote area communications specialists, working with multi-agency search and rescue responders led by NSW Police. Thank you to our WICEN NSW volunteer operators for stepping forward to serve the community in times of crisis. We give a special thanks to those control centre colleagues who perform the toughest job of providing critical emergency responses 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to keep their communities safe. #InternationalControlRoomWeek #UnsungHeroes #vrarescue

16.01.2022 WICEN NSW went to air on the BBC World Service! The WICEN NSW Forward Commander in Bega NSW, Compton Allen, was interviewed on the BBC World Services Digital Planet programme. Compton spoke about about the role of WICEN amateur radio operators working as part of the emergency response in current bushfire crisis. Listen to the podcast on the BBC World Service. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3csy67g

16.01.2022 WICEN NSW supported Navshield 2019, an emergency services remote area navigation exercise, over the weekend of 21-23 June 2019, in the Kanangra-Boyd National Park south of Jenolan Caves. WICEN NSW provided communications support to the Navshield event, organised by NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue Unit. WICEN NSW established a remote area communications network that saw the deployment of VHF and HF nets with VHF repeaters and deployed field teams to ensure coverage in difficul...t terrain. WICEN NSW radio operators managed communications, working in close partnership with the SES at the Incident Command Base using a range of communications modes including GRN, VHF, satellite phone and amateur radio. The conditions were taxing with overnight temperatures of -5 to a high of 7 on day 1 with significant frost. On day 2 we dodged the coastal rain as we were treated to snow in its place! Base catering was provided by The Salvation Army Strategic Emergency & Disaster Management Australia.

15.01.2022 Congratulations to Steven Heimann, WICEN NSW Training Officer, for 10 years Long Service to the VRA. #vrarescue

15.01.2022 WICEN NSW radio operators are currently deployed in support of NSW Rural Fire Service operations at the Glenn Innes Fire Control Centre. This is a large multi-agency operation involving personnel from NSW and interstate, who are accommodated in this large base camp. #vrarescue

15.01.2022 Last weekend, WICEN NSW supported the Hunter Memory Walk & Jog, a fund raising activity for Dementia Australia, by providing a communications network across the course. Photos: Dan VK2GG from WICEN NSW Hunter.

15.01.2022 The whiteboard nasty at Glen Innes IMT! Ready for anything!

13.01.2022 Recently, WICEN NSW participated in a Canyon SAREX led and coordinated by NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue Unit. This was a communications exercise, aimed at testing command and control in and out of remote and rugged canyons, with a range of communications systems including HF, UHF DMR, GRN and UHF CB radios, as well as InReach satellite messenger.#vrarescue

13.01.2022 Last week, NSW VRA Commissioner Mark Gibson received a message of thanks to emergency service personnel from the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AO QC. WICEN NSW personnel remain deployed at multiple fire control centres, at the RFS Bushfire Information Line call centre, and the President and Secretary continue the ongoing coordination and management of the WICEN/VRA response. Other WICEN NSW members continue to serve with other emergency services or agencies in the current crisis. Thank you to responding WICEN NSW members, your supporters and families.

12.01.2022 Over several days in June 2019, WICEN NSW participated in Exercise Deerubbin, a large multi-agency emergency management exercise that evaluated the emergency response, major evacuation and recovery phases of a catastrophic flood event on the Hawkesbury-Nepean river system. With the objective of evaluating a catastrophic emergency response in the metropolitan Sydney region, Exercise Deerubbin saw the participation of over 25 agencies and organisations including the NSW Volunt...eer Rescue Association Inc. WICEN NSW played a key role in its capacity as a specialist communications squad of the NSW VRA. WICEN NSW, with its state HQ based in metropolitan Sydney, was geographically well placed to provide VRA Liaison Officers and personnel to the Incident Management Team. WICEN VRA Liaison Officers provided the essential communications and coordination link between the Incident Management Team and with VRA squads operating in the field. During the response phase of the exercise, WICEN NSW was tasked with deploying a local communications network, simulating a catastrophic failure of communications infrastructure. WICEN NSW personnel responded to the simulated activation rapidly in real time, and actual VHF and HF communication links were rapidly established between simulated deployments and the WICEN VRA Liaison Officers in the Incident Management Team. #vrarescue

11.01.2022 WICEN NSW operators have been working on the NSW RFS Bushfire Information Line this week, answering the publics phone enquiries. WICEN NSW operators have represented the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association as part of a multi-agency effort on the phones at NSW RFS HQ, alongside volunteers from NSW SES and Marine Rescue NSW. #vrarescue

11.01.2022 This week, WICEN NSW a squad of the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association, continues to support the NSW Rural Fire Service by providing an ongoing roster of radio operators in the Incident Management Teams in the Glen Innes and Port Macquarie/Wauchope areas, as well as operators on the RFS Bushfire Information Line in Sydney. Over the weekend, a brief gap in the radio operator roster at the Glen Innes Fire Control Centre was quickly covered by VRA rescue operators from the Murrur...undi and Inverell Rescue Squads, who were re-tasked from their logistics support roles . After a crash course in Incident Management Team radio operations by RFS and WICEN radio operators, our VRA rescue operators were soon on the job, managing the vital communications link between the fire fighters and the fire control centre. A great but stressful job well done by our multi-agency team! #vrarescue See more

11.01.2022 WICEN NSW was recently presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by the NSW RFS - Hawkesbury District for the contributions of its radio operators and Incident Management Team personnel at the NSW RFS Hawkesbury Fire Control Centre. WICEN NSW operators assisted the NSW RFS to coordinate the response for the the Gosper Mountain fire during the 2019-20 bushfire season. WICEN NSW President Lindsay Bolstad, Secretary Steve Diekman, Raffy Shammay and Ros Shammay received the Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the WICEN NSW Hawkesbury FCC team. WICEN NSW is a communications squad of the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc. #vrarescue

10.01.2022 WICEN NSW continues with its response to the NSW bushfire emergency. WICEN NSW maintains an ongoing commitment of Incident Management Team communications operators to Fire Control Centres, and of operators to the Bush Fire Information Line at RFS HQ. WICEN NSW operates as a part of the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association commitment to the emergency and operates under the direction of the NSW RFS. #vrarescue

10.01.2022 Thank you to all of our friends, families and supporters. We hope you all have a safe 2021!

09.01.2022 WICEN NSW supported the Illawarra Memory Walk & Jog, a fund raising activity for Dementia Australia today, by providing a communications network across the course. #vrarescue

08.01.2022 https://www.facebook.com/Bletchleypark1/videos/307613000440723/

07.01.2022 Last weekend, WICEN NSW supported the Western Sydney Memory Walk & Jog, a fund raising activity for Dementia Australia, by providing a communications network across the course.

07.01.2022 WICEN NSW radio operators remain deployed at Glen Innes assisting the NSW Rural Fire Service Incident Management Team, fighting multiple fires in the Northern Tablelands of the New England region. Fires have been ongoing in the region for the last two months, and WICEN deployments are projected beyond next week. #vrarescue

07.01.2022 This week we acknowledge the invaluable contribution volunteers make to our society as Australia celebrates National Volunteer Week (May 20-26, 2019). This yea...rs theme of Making a world of a difference highlights the unique influence each volunteer has in communities across the country, from running cinemas to saving lives. As its name states, the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association is made up of 1700 committed and professional volunteers who provide a life-saving service to people on what is often the worst day of their lives. Whether it be freeing trapped motorists from a crushed vehicle, abseiling down a cliff face or searching rivers for missing loved ones members of the organisation are committed and ready to provide a helping hand in your time of need. #vrarescue #nswvra #nationalvolunteerweek #volunteers #anywhereanytime #NVW2019

06.01.2022 WICEN NSW members along with members from NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc. squads AusCAP, NSW Cave Rescue, and South Coast Rescue joined together to form a team for a missing person search around Scarborough on Thursday this week. NSW SES volunteers formed the largest contingent of searchers. NSW Ambulance SOT provided support for the search which was controlled by NSW Police Rescue. #vrarescue

06.01.2022 WICEN and CREST working together at the RFS Glen Innes EOC. #vrarescue

05.01.2022 WICEN NSW communications specialist continue their support of the NSW RFS in the current emergency, including the Incident Management Team at the Hawkesbury Fire Control Centre. #vrarescue

03.01.2022 Stay up to date with the latest information from the NSW RFS. This week WICEN NSW operators continue to work in the Glen Innes Fire Control Centre and others are on stand by for deployment elsewhere as required. Operators are also working in the RFS HQ in the Bushfire Information Line, assisting the public who call the RFS for information. Operators and WICEN command personnel continue working as part of the wider VRA response. Other WICEN NSW members are serving with other volunteer emergency services such as the RFS and SES where their skills are required. #vrarescue

03.01.2022 WICEN NSW as a communications squad of the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association, continues contributing to the multi-agency support of the RFS in the current emergency. WICEN NSW is currently supporting the Kempsey Fire Control Centre with Incident Management Team and aviation radio operators. Operators are working in other Fire Control Centres and the Bushfire Information Line. #vrarescue

02.01.2022 From October 2019 to February 2020, communications operators of WICEN NSW a support squad of the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc., served as radio operators and Incident Management Team staff in NSW RFS Fire Control Centres, established and maintained emergency radio networks where local communications infrastructure had been destroyed, served as operators on the NSW RFS Bushfire Information Line, and provided behind the scenes co-ordination of the broader NSW VRA response. Approximately 31 WICEN NSW VRA volunteers will be awarded the NSW Bushfire Emergency Citation by the NSW Premier in recognition of their dedication to service over the 2019-2020 bushfire emergency. #vrarescue

02.01.2022 Over the weekend WICEN NSW provided communications support for the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic, a 117km night time canoe race from Windsor to Brooklyn. WICEN NSW established a mixed mode ad-hoc communications network to provide safety and control communications across difficult and challenging terrain. The network included commercial VHF DMR, amateur 70cm FM, 2m packet and 6m SSB. As a specialist squad of the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc. WICEN NSW specialises in communications in support of remote area search and rescue operations, and the support for the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic in aid of Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation is an ideal training exercise, alongside our volunteer partners Hawkesbury River Rescue VRA, Marine Rescue NSW and NSW SES, who assisted with communications and safety boats. #vrarescue

02.01.2022 WICEN NSW Squad Captain and President Lindsay Bolstad attended the NSW Bushfire State Memorial Service, honouring the 25 firefighters and citizens of the recent NSW bushfires. Pictured are NSW VRA representatives of WICEN NSW, AUSCAP, Central Coast Rescue Squad & Wagga Rescue Squad, with Commissioner Mark Gibson and Senior Chaplain Ray Lotty.

01.01.2022 Recently, WICEN NSW held a remote area communications training exercise, focusing on building and deploying ad-hoc remote area HF and VHF DMR radio networks. This is a key capability in WICENs role in support of remote Land Search and Rescue operations. This exercise at Newnes deployed field teams and equipment by 4WD and by backpack, across the top of Mystery Mountain, along the Pipeline Track and the Glowworm Tunnel.

01.01.2022 In October, WICEN NSW President Lindsay Bolstad and Secretary Steve Diekman presented an Honorary Life Membership of WICEN NSW to Bob Ridgley. Bob has been a member of WICEN NSW with the Central Coast Regional Group for over 30 years, and is still active at 92 years old. WICEN NSW is a specialist communications squad of the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc.