When the Country Fire Authority (CFA) set out to upgrade communications across more than 1,600 brigades, the challenge was clear. Every analogue radio used by volunteer firefighters needed to be replaced with a modern digital unit. The goal was to strengthen safety, speed, and reliability for crews in the field.
But this was no small job. More than 1,650 radios would need to be dismantled, rewired, tested, and sent back out across Victoria. It was a project that required precision, technical skill, and the capacity to deliver on a large scale.
That’s when CFA turned to Waverley Social Enterprises.
Turning a Technical Project into an Opportunity
The work went well beyond simply swapping out parts. Each radio needed to be unbolted, stripped of old components, and carefully rewired. Parts that could be reused were identified, and new elements were installed with attention to safety and durability.
The process included:
- Drilling, crimping, and heat-shrinking new connections
- Replacing fuses and testing power
- Conducting rigorous quality checks
- Packing, labelling, and delivering each kit back to CFA brigades
By choosing Waverley, CFA partnered with a team who could manage the entire process, from disassembly, technical retrofitting, assembly, and warehouse coordination.
Delivered with Precision, Care, and Impact
Over the course of the project, our team:
- Rewired each unit to exact technical specifications
- Ensured wiring layouts were neat, safe, and easy to use
- Fully assembled and tested every kit
It was an achievement in both logistics and social impact. Our Workmates of Waverley were able to contribute their skills to a critical community safety project.
As CFA’s Program Director for the Radio Replacement Project, Shane Peacock, explained:
“The work that the staff members here at Waverley are doing is fantastic. Their attention to detail in putting these bag radios together is fantastic. There’s a lot of fiddly little bits and pieces in these bag radios to swap over, rewire around, and it’s great that Waverley and the employees are able to assist with that.”
A Win for Safety and Inclusion
For CFA, the result was clear: 1,650 radios upgraded and deployed. For Waverley, it was another example of how inclusive procurement – choosing suppliers who create social good – can deliver exceptional results for the community.
You can watch CFA’s full story about the project here.
Need help with assembly, retrofitting, or large-scale packing projects?
Our team has the skills, quality standards, and capacity to deliver your project on time and to a high standard, all while helping create meaningful jobs for people with disabilities.
