Baw Baw Information Network

The Baw Baw Information Network aims to improve community safety by delivering 24-hour real-time information that offers early detection of critical events, such as bush fires and warnings on air quality, which is critical in supporting public health and safety.

The Attentis sensors provide useful information that can assist with:

• Early fire detection and notification;
• Improve public safety and awareness;
• Micro-climate weather information for local agriculture and viticulture;
• Improved communication capabilities;
• Remove access to high risk locations;
• Monitors environmental impacts and;
• Delivers community resilience.

The Baw Baw Information Network collects and delivers vital data through the Attentis sensors including:

• Air quality
• Temperature
• Rainfall
• Wind
• Other weather
• Fire ignitions, and;
• Asset condition. 

The multi-sensors can provide real-time thermal and visual imaging to detect hot spots and changes in temperature that can identify areas of high risk. Each multi-sensor includes 360° visual access with time lapse video and still image recording from all units.

Comprehensive sensor information is then seamlessly streamed through high-speed wireless networks maintaining a real-time picture of locations and regions to improve safety, health, efficiency, productivity and awareness. 

The Baw Baw Information Network features a designated user interface and App that enables emergency service organisations 24-hour access to live weather conditions, air quality information, visual and thermal images of a location prior to attendance, providing a new level of situational awareness and personal safety.

Residents and visitors have the same 24-hour access to live weather conditions and air quality information.

Registered users can establish threshold alerts to receive instant notifications via email or SMS.

You can access the network by:

• Visiting www.bawbaw.network
• Downloading the Attentis App for iOS
• Downloading the Attentis App for Android

The 7 Attentis sensors will be installed at the following locations:

• Apex Park, Neerim South.
• Erica and District Fire Station.
• Noojee Fire Station.
• Main Neerim Road, Piedmont.
• Tooronga Falls Campground.
• Walhalla Road, Thomson.
• Mt Baw Baw Alpine Village.

The Baw Baw Information Network provides Emergency Services with real-time notifications and access to each location to view conditions.

The sensors enable Emergency Services to;

• Rapidly respond with a clear understanding of the event as it unfolds;
• Strategically position ground and aerial resources at the most effective locations;
• Maintain real-time awareness of changes in wind speed and direction to stay ahead of the event;
• Reduce the risk of burn over and health impacts to first responders by continuous tracking, personnel, conditions, the fire front and flood zones;
• Measure air composition for smoke, particulates and gases and location to reduce health impact on first responders and the general public.
  
  

The Baw Baw Information Network also features 24-hour fire ignition detection with instant notification sent to local emergency services, first responders, Baw Baw Shire Council and Attentis®. Notifications can also be forwarded to residents, via the Attentis App and Watch & Act notifications via Emergency Services and the Baw Baw Shire Council.

The $192,000 project was funded by the Risk and Resilience Grants Program (Emergency Management Victoria) through the Department of Justice and Community Safety.

As the Attentis system does include cameras for both visible and infra-red imaging, these sensors are covered by a Council Code of Practice.

Key aspects of this code include:

• Access to video (live, stills or time lapse) is restricted to approved emergency services only
• The primary use for the system is emergency management and early detection of emergency events
• Cameras will not intentionally be used to look into adjacent or nearby private residential property, unless it is explicitly for the purpose of community safety

Full Policy Documents can be found here.(PDF, 2MB)