Future ‘vision’ with new control room software

New command and control software to be used in a joint project by the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) will recommend an appropriate response to control room staff when a fire emergency call is made and automatically locate and alert the nearest resources using bells and printers on fire stations or alerters for on-call firefighters and officers.

The system can also plot the location of the incident and the location of the caller using GPS (global positioning system) data on detailed maps. These include lists of all addresses, details of the road network and even locally used alternative names given to places or landmarks, which can be essential for a fire crew to get to an emergency quickly.

The software is being provided by Capita Communication and Control Solutions in a Joint Public Service Centre (JPSC) agreement, which includes South Wales Police, that will see the control teams of MAWWFRS and SWFRS merge and relocate to the South Wales Police headquarters in Bridgend alongside the force control teams.

The system will use Capita’s latest ‘VISION ’ software and senior responsible officer for the JPSC project, MAWWFRS Chief Fire Officer Chris Davies, said it will ensure their communities receive the best possible emergency response in the coming years and, in the current financial climate, represents significant long-term savings.

“This new control room software also provides improved functionality and efficiency from the current systems in use, and will allow control room teams to effectively manage fire emergency calls across SWFRS and MAWWFRS areas,” he said. “The software provides integration with other systems, such as our On-Call Firefighter Availability System, as well as providing automated information sharing between other emergency services in the region.”

Paul Eggleton, managing director of Capita Communication and Control Solutions, said VISION will offer the authorities some new opportunities for greater cooperation between agencies, which in turn will help to improve the response and service provided to the public and communities of Mid and South Wales.

Following extensive testing, the new software will be launched in May 2016 once the redevelopment of the South Wales Police headquarters in Bridgend is completed and the joint fire control teams move to their new base.