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The System
Will Save Lives Says Labour
MSP Allan Wilson.
The new system - known as Firelink - will cost a total
of £350 million across Great Britain, with the
Executive meeting the bulk of
the cost in Scotland.
 A
new state-of-the-art digital radio system which will link the fire service
with the police and other emergency services will be rolled out in North
Ayrshire within the next three years – says local Labour MSP Allan Wilson.
The Cunninghame North MSP says the new system - known as Firelink - will
cost a total of £350 million across Great Britain, with the Executive
meeting the bulk of the cost in Scotland.
All Scottish fire and rescue services, as well as those fire services in
England and Wales, will have the same system, making it easier for them to
communicate with each other.
Firelink will also be compatible with the Airwave radio system used by
police forces across Great Britain, and which is also being considered by
the ambulance service.
The Executive made the announcement after a written question was submitted
by Cumbernauld Labour MSP Cathie Craigie asking when the system would be up
and running in Scotland.
Speaking following the announcement today, Allan Wilson MSP said:
"It is very good news for North Ayrshire fire and rescue services that a new
digital radio system will be in place within the next three years. This
system is the best equipment available and will ensure that our
fire-fighters have the equipment to match their expertise, professionalism
and bravery – meaning our communities are served as best they possible can
be.
"This modern, digital system will enable fire and rescue services to
communicate with each other and with the other emergency services - locally,
regionally and nationally. And not just to respond to large scale
emergencies but to the day-to-day emergencies as well.
“This commitment to our fire-fighters means North Ayrshire residents and
communities will lead safer daily lives.”
Firelink will provide a new wide area radio system for communications
between command and control facilities and vehicles. Local area radio
networks - for example, handsets used by fire-fighters at individual
incidents - are not included in the project.
Notes:
Firelink is being procured on a Great Britain-wide basis. The Firelink
procurement is being taken forward in partnership with the Office of the
Deputy Prime Minister and the Welsh Assembly Government, and the Scottish
Executive has been closely involved with the project since its inception.
On March 29, 2006 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister signed a contract
with the Firelink supplier O2 Airwave, who are also supplying the new
Airwave radio system for GB police forces. Scotland will join the Firelink
project in the near future, subject to finalisation of the contractual
details and administrative arrangements between the Executive, the Office of
the Deputy Prime Minister and the Welsh Assembly Government.
Firelink will cost a total of around £350 million across Great Britain, with
the costs to be shared between England, Scotland and Wales. The full details
of Scotland's contribution are under discussion with the other
administrations and will be finalised and announced in the early summer.
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