New and independent fire control centre gives the best deal for Suffolk

A new fire control centre fitted with state-of-the-art communications for mobilising and managing Suffolk’s firefighters would be in the best interests of the county, a report to councillors says.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) announced in June it would be withdrawing from the shared control room arrangement in place since 2011 with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire and Rescue Service, based in Huntingdon.

The report recommending approval to Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet, due to sit on Tuesday September 12, says fire control would now be brought back into the county by the end of 2024.

The report says the move is necessary because a project to replace the current mobilising technology agreed by both services in 2019, is currently two years overdue.

In addition, the French company providing the new technology entered “Redressment Judiciaire” a form of financial administration which resulted in the freezing of its assets and liabilities. If the company comes out of administration, it will remain with its liabilities to pay.

SFRS concluded the non-delivery and missed milestones by the new technology provider, together with its financial predicament, means continuing with the current IT mobilising project presents an unacceptable risk to firefighters and the public.

This risk should be mitigated as soon as possible by Suffolk having its own control room using tried and tested systems.

However, the current system continues to mobilise the emergency response effectively, keeping Suffolk safe.

The report says:

“The new control room will forecast and coordinate SFRS resources based on risk modelling and new technology.

“This will ensure resources are deployed efficiently and effectively across the county, maximising fire engine availability, improving response times.

“The new control room will coordinate resources out of hours to provide a swifter service to our most vulnerable residents.”

An initial capital investment of £1.588m would be required for project delivery over three years. Additional revenue service of £1.615m annually will need to be provided to support the operating cost of the control room.