Victorian search and rescue dog teams join Motorola Solutions radio network
Iain Hoey
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Search and rescue dogs join Victorian network
Two Victorian volunteer search and rescue dog organisations have been added to the Victorian Radio Network (VRN), giving them direct radio access to the state’s primary emergency services during missions in remote areas.
Motorola Solutions announced that Australian Search and Rescue K9 (ASAR-K9) and Search and Rescue Dogs Australia (SARDA) can now use APX 8000 portable two-way radios on shared channels with emergency services.
The change allows both groups to communicate directly with police and other agencies during rescue operations in isolated terrain.
Motorola Solutions said the addition is intended to improve the speed and safety of missions involving volunteer dog teams.
Suarez said: “Our dogs are trained to search through thick bushland to locate missing persons, often in highly challenging and time-critical situations.
“These new radios enable us to communicate securely with police and other emergency services, significantly improving safety for our members and our effectiveness in bringing loved ones home.”
Shared channels for remote operations
Representatives from Victorian emergency services and the company joined search and rescue dog teams at the ASAR-K9 headquarters to mark the donation of the radios.
Motorola Solutions said the equipment supports interagency communication in rugged and remote parts of the state.
Con Balaskas, managing director, Motorola Solutions Australia and New Zealand, said: “Providing these exceptional search and rescue dog teams and public safety agencies with resilient communications helps them to work safely and efficiently, coordinating their responses when it matters most.
“This collaboration has already proven its value; in one recent search, rescue dog teams located critical items belonging to a missing woman, leading police to find her safe and well at a remote location.”
Motorola Solutions said the addition of the dog teams to the VRN follows the Victorian government’s 10-year contract extension with the company to maintain and enhance emergency communications across the state.