In 2019 EMALTE was engaged by QTEQ Australia to install 9 Whelen sirens, 2 control centres and 5 radio repeaters in the beautiful Redlynch Valley which lies just behind the township of Cairns, far north Queensland, Australia. Situated behind the valley, Copperlode Dam is not only a fresh water source for the Cairns region but also features a beautiful recreational area for fishing and water craft activities. 

Built by Whelen Engineering (USA), the 9 sirens range in height from 1.8m – 2.8m, attached to a 20m pole and range in effective sounding radii from 250m to approx 1800m at 70dBC. 

Cairns Council and EMALTE understand well that the residents’ safety is a priority. For that reason, the emergency warning systems are regularly maintained and when required, upgraded. In August 2022, EMALTE’s CEO Mark Wolf and his team visited the Cairns Regional Council to conduct practical application training for engineers who are now responsible to monitor, diagnose any issues and maintain the early warning systems. A high level of technical expertise is crucial in order to establish successful communications in an area where dense rainforest and steep terrain can impede the signals. The training was completed on site and the engineers experienced first-hand that the most likely cause of siren system faults are: batteries losing capacity; lightning strikes knocking out the system; induced transients occurring or antenna damage from fallen tree branches. The principal focus for the Council engineer team is to ensure that radio paths are reliable. 

Built to suit all terrains and weather conditions, the Whelen mass notification system remains always on standby ready to be activated in the very unlikely event of a catastrophic dam incident.  

EMALTE’s success is achieved through specialised and qualified expertise, many years’ experience and a “never give up attitude”.