The Rural Fire Service has been gifted two pieces of technology that will allow it to communicate better in fire zones across an unpredictable summer.
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Known as a "Go Repeater", the devices will travel in fire trucks as they enter areas with poor mobile phone reception.
"Communications is the key to successfully operating a fire ground," said RFS Canobolas Zone manager, superintendent David Hoadley.
"More and more our brigades rely on mobile telephone coverage.
"The key to all fires is putting them out as quickly as possible, to keep them as small as possible.
"Our philosophy in Canobolas Zone is to prevent everyday fires and emergencies from becoming disasters, and we've been pretty successful. Mobile coverage is a key part of that."
The $2,000 worth of boosters were donated by Telstra.
"The mobile units will boost the signal when [the RFS] is in more difficult situations," said Telstra general manager for Northern NSW Mike Marom.
"They will help maximise the reception ... so where there is some signal that is marginal or interfered with, the Go Repeater is like an amplifier - it will bring the signal in and provide the best possible signal in that area."
Mr Marom said the boosters had been on the market "for a few years" but had been upgraded to 4G.
There are two types - mobile units for trucks, assisted by a high gain antenna; and stationary units if people live in "challenging areas".
