WA Radio Scanner Users' Group

Seen what to look to be a Light tanker going fire call but it was a WesterPower Vehicle going priority im guessing they can go priority in case live power line are down ?

Yes Western Power have Emergency Response vehicles. See 1:01 into this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA_Ws9nMa0Q

They go lights and sirens to things like power lines down and house fires.

Their setup is very good, they can see the grid on their screen, most/all had/have cameras mounted, and have a well designed lightbar setup. Sirens also seem to range from old Police models to the newer Police type models.

This is a good set up, and should have been considered many years ago, when live wires are involved, vehicle, house or person, the rescue can not start till the power is off, therefore I see Western power just as vital as a fire engine or ambulance, because in till they get there the other two are just useless.

Another one that we had a discussion about is Atlinta gas, im not sure as to the reason why they dont yet have emergency response units, maybe there is not enough gas related incidents.

Firefighters can deal with a gas leak, unlike electricity.

These Western Power vehicles have been around for some years now. It isn't something new.

AO11912 wrote: Another one that we had a discussion about is Atlinta gas, im not sure as to the reason why they dont yet have emergency response units, maybe there is not enough gas related incidents.

Little bit harder for cars to smash into underground gas mains.

LighteningCrashes wrote:

AO11912 wrote: Another one that we had a discussion about is Atlinta gas, im not sure as to the reason why they dont yet have emergency response units, maybe there is not enough gas related incidents.

Little bit harder for cars to smash into underground gas mains.

Doesn't always have to be a car that smashes into something

A fire in a building where a gas pipe has burst

AO11912 wrote:

LighteningCrashes wrote:

AO11912 wrote: Another one that we had a discussion about is Atlinta gas, im not sure as to the reason why they dont yet have emergency response units, maybe there is not enough gas related incidents.

Little bit harder for cars to smash into underground gas mains.

Doesn't always have to be a car that smashes into something

A fire in a building where a gas pipe has burst

Any firie can walk up to a gas meter and switch the valve off. They cant isolate power if a powerline is down over the road. Decisions to introduce these things are made on a risk analysis.

Just wondering, if Western Power can go lights & sirens, why havn't they legislated that they can use Red/Blue lights as opposed to the current SES style scheme of Red/Red?

I am aware that Western Power are classified as a Lifeline agency, not a Combat agency like FRS is, but why are the Western Power emergency response units not given full use of Red/Blue lighting? It would make sense as AO11912 mentioned, a rescue cant start untill the power is off.

WP have requested and/or DPI have decided, that they are a "priority two" response. According to this DPI document WP would deal with "high risk personal or property" threats, not "life and/or serious property threat" emergencies.

WPXZBP wrote:WP have requested and/or DPI have decided, that they are a "priority two" response. According to this DPI document WP would deal with "high risk personal or property" threats, not "life and/or serious property threat" emergencies.

But electrocution, or people entrapped in a vehicle in contact with live wires, does that not constitute a Life threat?

AO11912 wrote:

WPXZBP wrote:WP have requested and/or DPI have decided, that they are a "priority two" response. According to this DPI document WP would deal with "high risk personal or property" threats, not "life and/or serious property threat" emergencies.

But electrocution, or people entrapped in a vehicle in contact with live wires, does that not constitute a Life threat?

secondary response, not primary response or combat agency.

to be honest, does it really matter?

Saw a WP ute with a slip on tank and pressure spray with the emergency response striping and amber lights going along freeway this arvo.

Fastlane wrote:
to be honest, does it really matter?

your right, sorry i wont ask next time.