Ausgrid Emergency Vehicle

[D1cko]

I got these pics off a 4wd forum. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about these and what they are used for?

[nbus qld]

They are a power Group.
http://www.ausgrid.com.au/

[blacktown]

That photo location is RFS Headquarters in Homebush (Sydney)
I have seen a previous version of the vehicle in the Bunnings at Ashfield some years ago (Dec 2008) - same T6 marking and lots of aerials.
Good find
PS They look like mobile phones rather than radios


Grant

[Phil]

Grant,

i agree with you about the mobile phones rather than radios but by the looks of the equipment
4 XTL5000's
2x Barret HF's
Sat Phone
Mobile Computer

i wonder what they use him for

[nbus qld]

They are Ausgrid emergency response vehicles for there crews out in the field.

[D1cko]

So the person who drives is what, an industrial paramedic/first responder? I'm having trouble figuring out why a power company would a) need an emergency response vehicle like that, and b) why they would have the emergency response vehicle set up for long distance touring?

To me its an awesome bit of gear but from what I'm told there is no room for a crew due to all the gear in the back.

[chanjyj]

Nevermind the vehicle. I'm more curious in why they need FOUR XTL5000s. Four!

[311alpha]

Might carry four personnel?

[rochedalescan]

They are XTL's 311alpha - hard wired to the vehicle not portables I'm also curious. Maybe this vehicle is just a 'show off' vehicle they can use to go to clients etc.

[chanjyj]

They are XTL's 311alpha - hard wired to the vehicle not portables I'm also curious. Maybe this vehicle is just a 'show off' vehicle they can use to go to clients etc.

Eh. You think clients will fall for this?

[blacktown]

SCADA technician, especially for remote sites and telemetry??


Blacktown

[knightcon]

These vehicles are used by Ausgrid to respond to emergencies involving Ausgrid infrastructure (power lines, transformers, etc). The reason why one was at RFS state headquarters in Homebush, Sydney is that they are generally sent through as liaison officers when there is a large scale fire emergency which either threatens the power infrastructure or has already caused damage to the power infrastructure. Skills wise they are really nothing more than senior highly qualified electricians who have experience and qualifications dealing with transmission lines. The reason for the multiple radios is that they commonly will need to maintain contact on a number of different channels at the same time as well as having the HF's as they quite often will be sent to locations which are either so remote as to mean that HF is the only or best communications method or to areas which have been badly affected by fires and terestrial telecommunications is already down in those areas. As for the computer having dealt with these guys directly before they are able to use the computer not just to access mapping of where various critical systems are located such as pole yards and transformers but can also connect in to perform emergency shutdowns on sections of transmission lines and regional power assets where they are posing a significant risk to emergency services personnel, as well as providing access to Ausgrids other databases such as fault reports, job management, etc.

These are not emergency services vehicles in the sense of paramedics or resue or anything like that they are simply the emergency response vehicles for Ausgrid staff who perform emergency work as described above.

[D1cko]

That makes a lot of sense now. Thanks for the information kinghtcon.