How will emergency services respond to the EPIRB signal?
The signal is first detected by satelites, and the information is relayed to Canberra. The position given by the satelite is not very accurate, maybe 50km, but is often sufficiently accurate to know which helicopter to call. Commercial aircraft are also listening for the signal and will relay the information to Canberra. The control centre may decide to wait for a second satelite pass. This gives confirmation that the signal is not an accident, and better accuracy in the location. This may take another 15 minutes. The appropriate resources are dispatched to respond to the beacon. In the case of south-east Queensland bush, this will likely be Energex Community Rescue at Sunshine Coast, Queensland Rescue at Brisbane, or RACQ Careflight at Gold Coast. It is possible that other resources will be used, such as fixed wing aircraft, police, state emergency service walkers, Federation of Mountain Rescue, etc. The helicopter may require 30 minutes before taking off to load the appropriate crew
