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Action 4.5 intends to deliver the Emergency Management Operational Communications (EMOC) Program, which is Victoria's long-term plan to maintain, consolidate and evolve the sector’s operational communications capability. Designed to be implemented over a 10 to 15-year period, the EMOC Program aims to move operational communications from their current state – a variety of devices such as pagers, radios and mobile data terminals operating on multiple networks – to smart devices operating on a single Public Safety Mobile Broadband (PSMB) network. EMOC Program governance is provided by the ESLG and the program involves multiple agencies including AV, CFA, DELWP, ESTA, LSV, FRV, VICSES, Corrections Victoria and Victoria Police. IGEM's 2018 SAP progress report noted a revised timeframe for this action of 31 December 2020. EMV advised of a further revision to 31 December 2022 to align to the current three-year rolling SAP timeframe. Implementation of the long-term EMOC Program will likely continue well beyond this date. IGEM’s 2019 SAP progress report noted that EMV planned to engage independent consultants to review the EMOC Program to inform the development of a medium to long-term Emergency Management Technology Strategy for the sector (refer to Action 4.6). EMV intends to complete the review by June 2021. Key elements of the EMOC Program include: •
Digital Radio Upgrade Program (DRUP)
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Public Safety Mobile Broadband (PSMB)
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Supplementary Alerting Service (SAS).
Digital Radio Upgrade Program IGEM’s 2019 Progress Report noted EMV’s completion of Stage 1 of DRUP in August 2019 and the commencement of Stage 2. Stage 1 transitioned Victoria Police and Corrections Victoria to a secure encrypted digital radio network and transitioned VICSES, LSV and the CFA outer-metropolitan brigades to a digital radio network. As part of Stage 2, EMV is working with AV to gather network requirements and related network impacts to enable the transition of AV’s regional communications onto the Regional Mobile Radio (RMR) network. EMV is also working with DELWP to prepare for its transition onto the RMR network and is working with ESTA, the state’s RMR contract manager, to collate requirements and assess potential amendments to the RMR contract. EMV advised that Stage 2 of DRUP is expected to be finalised in 2023. Public Safety Mobile Broadband In December 2018 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) 15 approved a strategic roadmap for the implementation of a national PSMB capability. PSMB aims to improve the services delivered by Australia’s public safety agencies and enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness by transitioning communications to mobile broadband-based applications and technologies. In July 2020 Victoria confirmed its commitment to the delivery of the program to the Australian Government. IGEM’s 2019 SAP progress report noted that delivery of the national PSMB program was the responsibility of the NSW Telco Authority. On 1 August 2020 responsibility for program delivery transitioned to the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. EMV and Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) represent the state on a national PSMB Senior Official Committee. In November 2020 the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) Secretary approved a funding contribution to the NSW Government to support the delivery of a PSMB proof of concept trial, a key milestone in the roadmap. EMV advised that the proof of concept trial is expected to commence in March 2021.
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COAG was replaced by the National Federation Reform Council on 29 May 2020.