FridayOL

Victorian firefighters are facing an ongoing challenge as technology systems continue to falter more than two years after a crippling cyberattack. Despite efforts to restore functionality, Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) crews are still regularly reverting to the methods of old – pen, paper, and pagers – to coordinate responses and manage emergencies. This reliance on analog tools highlights the persistent impact of the cyber incident and raises concerns about operational efficiency and public safety.

The cyberattack, which occurred in late 2021, severely impacted FRV’s critical systems, including dispatch, communication, and data management. While significant progress has been made in rebuilding and upgrading the infrastructure, intermittent outages and glitches remain a frustrating reality for firefighters on the ground. These disruptions can lead to delays in receiving vital information, coordinating resources, and ultimately, responding effectively to incidents.

“It’s definitely not ideal,” stated a senior FRV firefighter who wished to remain anonymous. “We’re trained to rely on technology to get real-time information about incidents, locations, and available resources. When that technology fails, we have to fall back on more basic methods. It adds extra steps and can slow us down, especially in time-critical situations.”

The return to pen and paper involves manually logging incident details, relaying messages via radio and pagers, and relying on printed maps and checklists. While firefighters are well-versed in these procedures, the process is inherently less efficient and more prone to errors than using digital systems. Furthermore, the lack of real-time data sharing can hinder collaboration between different teams and agencies.

FRV acknowledges the ongoing issues and assures the public that it is working diligently to resolve them. A spokesperson stated, “We understand the concerns surrounding these technical difficulties. Our priority is the safety of our firefighters and the community. We are committed to restoring full functionality to our systems and have implemented robust security measures to prevent future incidents. We have a dedicated team working around the clock to address the remaining vulnerabilities and ensure the resilience of our technology infrastructure.”

The situation underscores the importance of cybersecurity in critical infrastructure and the potential consequences of successful cyberattacks. It also highlights the need for contingency plans and backup systems to ensure essential services can continue to operate even when technology fails. The reliance on pen and paper serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of modern emergency services and the ongoing challenges in safeguarding them from cyber threats. The FRV continues to seek government funding and support to bolster its cybersecurity defenses and modernize its technology infrastructure, aiming to minimize future disruptions and ensure a swift and effective response to all emergencies.

The long-term impact of the cyberattack and the subsequent technological challenges are still being assessed. However, one thing is clear: the Victorian firefighting community's ability to adapt and persevere, even in the face of adversity, remains a testament to their dedication and professionalism.