SES Computer Network - First in Australia

The Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Bill McGrath, has announced special funding for the Victoria State Emergency Service (SES) to link all volunteer Units by computer.

This will be the first project of its type in Australia.  150 computers, modems, printers and software packages will be installed around Victoria and networked through the SES offices.  A range of online services will also be developed to utilise the technology.

Around $500,000 funding will be committed to all SES Units and Offices, which will be networked.

The computer system will also give SES volunteers 24 hour access to the latest Bureau of Meteorology information.

SES Director, Rhys Maggs, said a project of this size has never been undertaken by a volunteer based emergency service. "We are very pleased to have this opportunity."

(News Release, Minister for Police and Emergency Services, December 17, 1998)