A further delay in the completion of a nationally linked network of control centres – Fire Control – has been announced by the government.
Fire and rescue services will now not start the changeover to the new centres until the spring of 2011 and the project will not be completed until the end of 2012 – a further delay of nine months.
In announcing the revised timetable, fire minister Shahid Malik said in recent months it had become clear that technical problems in developing the IT system meant that more time will be needed.
“FiReControl is a complex project that involves significant change to operating practices in the FRS as well as the development and installation of a major new national IT system,” said Mr Malik. “It is important that we continue to subject the new system to rigorous development to ensure public safety and meet FRS requirements. “We are not making progress as swiftly as expected which is why I’m announcing today that spring 2011 is the new date for the start of the process of moving the 46 FRS control rooms to the new control centres.”
The Fire Control project includes the building of nine regional centres, the setting up of local authority controlled companies to manage them and the delivery and installation of equipment in local fire stations.
The installation of digital radios in England’s fire and rescue vehicles is on track, however, and this is expected to be completed by spring 2010. Firefighters were already experiencing the benefits of clearer voice communications, added Mr Malik.
