Doreen’s CFA volunteers rely on mobile broadband for their internet needs.
But it’s often an unreliable connection and sometimes fails to load crucial map information for jobs they’re called out to.
So when fibre-optic installation company Red Train offered high-speed internet connections to 14,500 homes and businesses at Doreen, Mernda and Epping this year, emergency service volunteers decided they would sign up for connection, too. Red Train has since offered to pay for the CFA’s connection – a cost of about $700 – if 30 people sign up and mention “Doreen CFA”.
Volunteer Matthew Stoneham said having quick and reliable internet would be a boon for the Yan Yean Road fire station.
“We would have better access to training material and, on high risk fire days, volunteers could be online and work their day-job while waiting for a call-out.”
A Telecommunications Industry Ombuds- man report found that in 2014, Doreen South recorded the second-highest number of internet-related complaints.
While the National Broadband Network has been rolled out to parts of Doreen, Epping North and Mernda, many households are still without high-speed internet.
Whittlesea council has contracted Red Train to provide “fibre-to-the-home” data cabling to more than 14,000 homes in parts of these poorly serviced suburbs. To see if your home is eligible, visit Red Train’s website. Details: www.redtrain.com.au/whittlesea/register
