Scottish Fire and Rescue Service signs new command and control mobilisation contract with Motorola Solutions
A multi-million-pound investment in the latest mobilisation technology will deliver a "whole new level" of capability for Scotland's firefighters.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has signed a seven-year, £29.5 million contract with US based Motorola Solutions to provide a single, cloud-based solution to mobilise firefighters to emergencies following a 999 call.
The technology will deliver an enhanced day-to-day and major incident response capability, replacing the ageing systems currently in use by the SFRS’s three operations control rooms in Johnstone, Edinburgh, and Dundee.
Last year, the Service attended around 80,000 incidents – each requiring one or more 999 calls.
This new system will allow SFRS Operations Control staff to deal with day-to-day incidents effectively and efficiently.
The initial contract period will be seven years with the option of a three-year extension.
Andy Watt is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Deputy Chief Officer.
He said: “Our 180 Operations Control staff across Scotland are the unseen frontline of the service, working together they play a critical role in the safety of Scotland’s communities.
“Operations Control rooms by their very nature and existence, are fundamental elements in the delivery of SFRS core services and are a key component in ensuring we keep the communities of Scotland safe.
"A settled future platform is essential in enabling us to do that, this cutting-edge technology will further enhance our capability by delivering a whole new level of day-to-day flexibility and resilience, providing SFRS with a single, stable and interoperable system across our three Operations Control rooms."
The Service will now work closely with Motorola Solutions on the delivery of the new mobilising system.
This new system will help us deliver the flexible and resilient service that Scotland needs, while future-proofing our command-and-control capability for the coming years.
It is the latest investment from the Service which included the re-opening of Dingwall Community Fire Station last month following a £4.6 million renovation.
The Service is currently undergoing a Strategic Service Review and earlier this year surveyed the people of Scotland to find out what they wanted from a national fire and rescue Service.
And while no changes will be made which would affect frontline services without consultation first, investing and improving on SFRS’ capabilities and infrastructure is a key objective.
The Service also marked 200 years of Scottish fire and rescue services in Edinburgh last month, where the world’s first municipal fire service was formed in 1824.
And while the guiding principles remain the same, the risks and challenges facing the public and firefighters are changing.
Statistics revealed by the Service last week show that the number of house fires in Scotland was at its lowest since records began – with firefighters responding to 3,800 accidental dwelling fires.
However, the number of non-fire incidents such as flooding and road traffic collisions, was at 16,000 – the second highest on record.
DCO Watt added: “We are working to deliver a world-class fire and rescue service fit for a modern Scotland and meets the changing risks within local communities, therefore must not only look at how our firefighters are trained and equipped, but how they are mobilised.
“This new system will help us deliver the flexible and resilient service that Scotland needs, while future-proofing our command-and-control capability for the coming years.”
Fergus Mayne is country manager for the United Kingdom and Ireland at Motorola Solutions.
He said: “We are proud to support the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service teams that operate in complex and fast-moving environments where every second counts.
“Our advanced control room technology helps to synthesise vital information and simplify workflows, allowing emergency services to quickly and efficiently respond to 999 calls from their communities.”
Siobhian Brown MSP is Minister for Victims and Community Safety.
She said: “I appreciate the work of the dedicated and professional Scottish Fire and Rescue Service control room staff who are on the frontline when people are in need of an emergency response.
“Once successfully implemented, this new technology will support SFRS to meet the challenges of changing demands on the service and enhance their capability and resilience as they continue to keep our communities safe.”
