Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item...

15/03/200526 September 2007

Error! Bookmark not defined.FireControl and Firelink

Report by the Chief Officer

Contact: DCO Alan House, Director of Strategic Projects and Specialist Response (Tel: 023 8062 6831)

1

Summary

1.1

This report updates members on the progress of the two national projects, `FireControl' and FireLink'. Similar updates will be presented at future Authority meetings.

2

RecommendationError! Bookmark not defined.

2.1

That the report be noted.

3

Introduction Error! Bookmark not defined.and Background

3.1

The Hampshire Rescue Service is actively engaged with assisting to deliver two Government sponsored projects aimed at improving resilience of Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) control rooms and to provide a National Radio Network with a range of associated equipment.

3.2

The `FireControl' project will result in existing FRS control rooms being replaced with Regional Control Centres (RCCs) with the chosen location for the South East being at `Kites Croft', nr Titchfield, Hampshire. The first RCC building has been built and handed over to the East Midlands LACC. The installation of mobilising systems will follow.

3.3

The `FireLink' project will result in a new National digital radio system (`Airwave'). This new technology system will require all existing radio equipment fitted to vehicles to be replaced. Due to the decision being made to replace the radio system, prior to the Regional Control Centre becoming operational, it is necessary to have an `interim solution' system to be installed in our existing control room.

3.4

The Regional Control Centre will be operated by a newly established Local Authority Controlled Company (LACC), with a Director from each of the constituent Fire and Rescue Authorities. The nominated Director for Hampshire will be Cllr Roger Price.

3.5

A Regional Project Team, responsible for both projects is hosted by West Sussex with board members from each of the South East Fire and Rescue Services. DCO Alan House is the Hampshire representative on this project board.

4

FireControl

4.1

LACC

The process for establishing the LACC (SERCC Ltd) has now commenced. Short title suggested `SEFCON'. The first Board meeting is being scheduled for week commencing 12 November 2007.

4.2

SERCC Director

The original plan to begin the process of appointing the Regional Control Centre Director in January 2008 has now been brought forward at the suggestion of CLG. Region shortlisting of applicants will take place on 8 October 2007. Selection interviews will take place on 19 November 2007 with a view to the successful candidate commencing employment early 2008. SE Project Board have expressed some concern regarding the role and activities of the RCC prior to `go live'. It is possible that this person would be pulled into the national project to assist with the rollout of other RCCs programme to go live prior to SERCC.

4.3

TUPE

The legal debate on TUPE continues. Despite legal opinion confirming previous FRS HR advice that the redundancies should be the legal responsibility of the LACC, the CLG still appear to be suggesting that redundancies should be actioned by individual FRS. This will require further debate and advice and the Regional Project Board is suggesting that, if not a national approach, there should be a SE Region stance determined via the RMB.

4.4

Transition Plan

The National Project Team have agreed a series of Checkpoints and gateways to check progress of the Transition Plan. Checkpoint 1 has been agreed for October 2007 with Checkpoint 2 in April 2008. There are in excess of 4000 individual activities identified so far in the Plan.

4.5

Cost Sharing Arrangements

At its meeting in October the RMB will be asked to agree a cost sharing model for the SERCC. The SE financial adviser has presented options to the Regional Project Board for further consideration by the RMB. The current estimated cost for the SERCC is £9.5m. Whichever model is chosen, the current estimated contribution for Hampshire is circa £1.9m.

4.6

Data Migration

Data migration is the task of identifying that data currently held in the HFRS mobilising system which will need to be transferred into the Regional Control Centre. As soon as the process begins to transfer the identified data it will be a HFRS responsibility to own and maintain this data. It will therefore be necessary for HFRS to continue to employ a team to maintain and update this data after the Regional Control Centre becomes operational. The identified data will, by necessity, be transferred some period in advance and it will be necessary then for that transferred to be updated along with the data being an integral part of our existing control room system. We anticipate the need for additional personnel to keep pace with the data migration tasks.

4.7

RCC Building

The construction of the building at `Kites Croft' is progressing according to the project timetable. The external construction is at an advanced stage. The handover of the building to the LACC is currently identified as being 14 May 2008.

4.8

Project Information Exchange

To assist with project communication and updates, the CLG has provided each FRS with a secure computer programme "UNICORN" and "DART" which allows the Hampshire Project team to receive project information and updates to and from the National Project team.

5

FireLink

5.1

The FireLink project as it relates to Hampshire has fallen behind in its original timetable. The project is arranged in 3 phases:

Phase A - Fitment of interim solution equipment in HFRS control room, HFRS Secondary Control and in 8 HFRS vehicles to prove installation in various vehicles and to prove radio coverage across the county.

Phase B - Fit out of remainder of HFRS Fleet.

Phase C - Cutover to Regional Control Centre

5.2

There are a number of ongoing issues related to the interim solution being planned for the HFRS Control Room which is now likely to be in place and in use for at least 46 months (until cutover to the RCC) rather than the original target of 9 months.

5.3

The HFRS Project Team have highlighted likely significant additional costs that will impact on the HFRS budget caused by being required to move across to the new radio scheme. `FireLink' will provide a baseline level of equipment and fire authorities may, at their cost, purchase other operating options/equipment. We have identified that the baseline does not offer to HFRS that which has been accepted as a necessary standard for many years. In order to retain the facilities that we have had in the past will now incur additional costs. We continue to challenge the existing assumptions made in establishing the baseline for the new system and its component parts.

5.4

Resource/Financial Implications (unconfirmed at this time) (3 Year Financial Plan)

5.4.1

5.4.2

5.4.3

5.4.4

5.4.5

5.4.6

Annual contribution to Regional Control Centre (circa £1.9m).

Additional LACC activity costs (not specifically identified).

Additional resources for HFRS project team (currently under consideration).

Retention of personnel to undertake `out of scope' work post - cutover to Regional Control Centre (currently under consideration).

Additional equipment and vehicle installation costs above FireLink baseline (currently being identified).

CLG have now written to all Chief Fire Officers advising them that clearer guidance on the assessment of funding specific to FireControl will be provided by October 2007.

6

Out of Scope Work

6.1

There are still a number of activities conducted in the HFRS Control Room that have been deemed "out of scope" for the Regional Control Centre. These activities are seen as essential for the day to day operation of the Service and work is currently ongoing to identify the options. It is at this time, anticipated that it will be necessary to retain personnel to undertake these activities. A further report regarding this issue will be submitted in due course.

7

Equality Impact Assessment

7.1

The proposals within this report are considered compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

Background Information (Section 1000 of Local Government Act 1972)

The following documents disclose the facts as matters on which this report or an important part of it is based and has been relied upon to a material extent on the preparation of the report.

FireControl Business Case and associated papers SE Region FireLink Project management Board Minutes and Papers.

Note: The list excludes: (1) published works; and (2) documents that disclose exempt or confidential information defined in the Act.