As SA contends with catastrophic bushfire conditions, the state government’s Alert SA app has again failed to withstand the test.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
It follows the app’s previous failure in late October, on one of the first bushfire risk days of the impending summer.
Emergency Services Minister Chris Picton had promised the app would be fixed ahead of the peak bushfire period.
Mr Picton said he had put Ripe Intelligence, the provider to SAFECOM of the Alert SA app, “on notice”.
“The issues being experienced with the app today are totally unacceptable and must be fixed immediately,” he said.
“The company's CEO will be requested to attend an urgent meeting tomorrow and the state government will now be assessing whether to continue with the contract.
“I have also requested SAFECOM provide advice regarding options to restore the CFS app.”
Mr Picton reiterated South Australians should use multiple sources of information to receive the latest updates on incidents and conditions.
“This includes the Alert SA website, the CFS website, CFS social media, ABC local radio and the bushfire hotline on 1300 362 361,” he said.
“The best way to ensure you have constant access to information is to have a battery powered radio.”
Opposition emergency services spokesperson and Schubert MP Stephan Knoll said the app had failed to deliver at a time when South Australians needed it most.
“The Alert SA app needs to be fixed,” he said.
“It has failed a number of times in recent months and we need to get to the root of the problem so we can have confidence that the app will work when it is needed most.
“On catastrophic fire danger conditions like today, our thoughts are with those selfless volunteers and wokers out in the field keeping us safe.
“We implore all South Australians to stay safe and follow the advice from our emergency services.”
Local users first noticed the app’s failure to load early on Saturday morning, with Facebook community groups and the Alert SA Facebook page soon awash with complaints.
“Surprise!! AlertSA app stops working on a 43 degree day with wind,” one Facebook user wrote.
“Deactivate your app, it does this constantly and is useless. We’re now on CFS page trying to see where the fire near our towns is. At least that works.”
The Alert SA Facebook page has removed the ability for users to post directly to the page, however many residents have taken to the comments sections of previous posts – the most recent published on December 17, 2017.
But page administrators have failed to provide any response thus far.
Some users have also reported issues via the app’s email support, with little more success.
The Alert SA response advises “there has been a technical issue experienced today what has resulted in intermittent issues. This has been reported to our service provider for immediate rectification.”
The Alert SA app costs the state government $250,000 a year.
To keep up to date with the latest CFS incidents, go to cfs.sa.gov.au.
