Our commitment to innovation and connectivity is transforming how we deliver care, making our operations more agile and our patient interactions more seamless. By adopting the latest technologies and enhancing our communication networks, we are empowering our people with the tools they need to respond swiftly and effectively.
Digital Radio Upgrade Program
In 2024-25 the Digital Radio Upgrade Program (DRUP2) for rural areas commenced implementation.
DRUP2 involves the replacement of the RAVNet (analogue) radio network with the Regional Mobile Radio (RMR) digital network, enabling seamless connectivity between the metropolitan digital network and delivering a secure statewide digital radio network for AV.
Online training has prepared AV鈥檚 operational workforce for the changes. A dedicated fleet facility was also established in Ballarat to upgrade vehicles with new digital radio equipment, supported by a small team managing logistics to deliver upgraded vehicles and new radios across the state.
Following a soft launch in December 2024, the phased rollout began in January 2025 in Barwon South West, progressing clockwise across the state. To date, just over 50 per cent of the rollout is complete and we are on track to complete the roll-out by mid 2026.
Standardised two-way radio communication systems known as Fixed Station Terminals (FSTs) commenced implementation across 19 Victorian EDs. The primary objective of FSTs is to enhance communication reliability and efficiency for emergency healthcare delivery. Key benefits include direct paramedic-to-ED communication via radio, as well as early notification of high-acuity patient arrivals.
Branch Wi-Fi rollout has occurred at all AV branches enabling portable radios to roam onto AV Wi-Fi to ensure in-branch coverage is maintained at all times.
This, combined with the newly introduced SelCall alerting feature, benefits response by ensuring responders are always audibly notified at the time of case dispatch, even when at their branch. Non-Emergency Patient Transport (NEPT) contractors have received training and delivery of new portable radios. Roll-out commenced for some contractors (St John 黄片视频) in July 2025.
Key statistics
Teams across Barwon South West, Grampians and Loddon Mallee regions have received their digital portable and vehicle radios. Hume will commence rollout on 15 July 2025.
- 2,454 staff and volunteers have completed their online training.
- 1291 portable radios have been distributed to rural branches, with 932 now in use. In addition, 139 rural branches have had Wi-Fi activated to enable in-branch radio coverage and connection.
- 10 hospitals across Barwon South West, Grampians and Loddon have received their new FSTs.
- Six additional branch equipment lockers were installed at Torquay, Echuca, Swan Hill, Wonthaggi, and Sale. In total there are now 16 rural lockers across the state that to provide access to spare portable radios.
- 344 vehicles were upgraded to digital radio by the end of June 2025.
- Nine briefcase mobile radios have been deployed for events and natural disaster management.
Mobile Data Network into Rural
Mobile Data Network (MDN) into Rural (MDNR) is a multi-year project, complementing DRUP2. Project funding is approximately $23 million across AV and Emergency Management Victoria (Department of Justice and Community Safety).
Since 2006, the metropolitan region has had MDN with Mobile Data Terminal devices (MDTs) fitted into the dash of vehicles to support operational teams with improved situational awareness, two-way data communications (to/from ambulances), navigation to a case and providing encrypted text-based information about the case and patient.
With changes in technology and advances in our fleet, the best option to introduce improved capability such as MDN is to utilise a smartphone and application, leveraging the vehicle鈥檚 entertainment system and screen. The first phase of the project is to provide cradles for safe phone use in vehicles and project support to progress the design and planning for implementation.
Installation of cradles is planned to commence by the second half of 2025, following completion of vehicle safety testing. In June 2025 a contract variation was agreed with Motorola, the current MDN supplier, to develop the MDN application for AV Rural. Implementation is planned for the second half of 2026.
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