Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item...

24 June 2009

FireControl and Firelink Projects Update

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'.

2

Recommendation

2.1

That this update be noted.

3

Introduction 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', near Titchfield, Hampshire. The RCC building has been built and the installation of the mobilising system will follow over the coming months.

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.

3.4

The Regional Control Centre is operated under the direction of a 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. Deputy Chief Officer Alan House is the Hampshire representative on this project board.

4

FiReControl

4.1

The latest version of the FiReControl business case has been released by Communities and Local Government (CLG). Relevant extracts of this business case are attached for information. (Sections1, 2 and 5 and Appendices `X' and `Y')

4.2

This current version of the business case has been released following two previous drafts issued for comment. Notably there have been some changes included following consultation feedback.

4.3

In particular it is confirmed that the CLG will make a `FiReControl Payment' to any Fire and Rescue Authority that would incur any additional costs related to control room activities as a result of the project. It has been recognised that the original proposal to make these payments at regional level would present some difficulties and therefore payments will be made direct to any fire and rescue authority identified as incurring extra costs. The only authority in the South East identified to receive this payment is Kent.

4.4

It is further identified that where Fire and Rescue Authorities incur additional costs associated with `out of scope' activities and data management activities, some transitional funding may be available. `Out of scope' activities are those which may be currently handled by FRS fire control staff but which will not be handled by the RCC in the future.

4.5

In consideration of any new burdens funding, the previously submitted assessment of current control room running costs were reviewed and adjusted where deemed appropriate.

4.6

The current timeline for the South East Region Control Centre to `go live', with Hampshire and West Sussex calls being handled from the Fareham building, is June 2011.

4.7

The annual cost apportionment for Hampshire in respect of the Regional Control Centre after `go live' is currently regarded as being £1.9m. This, the CLG claim, results in an annual saving of £334k. At this time the actual and accurate costs associated with ongoing data management and `out of scope' activities in respect of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) has not been established due to a number of uncertain factors. As the project progresses and a clearer picture emerges, these financial impacts will be easier to identify.

4.8

CLG have made the statement that "no Fire and Rescue Authority will bear an additional cost as a result of FiReControl implementation".

5

Data Management

5.1

Once the Regional Control Centre is fully operational and handling calls, the mobilising data used will be prepared and updated by each fire and rescue service. This is to ensure that each fire and rescue service owns the mobilising protocols and operational information available for responding crews. Just as is the case now, it will be necessary for each fire and rescue service to ensure its own database and information is up to date, accurate and relevant. This will require the retention of data managers/inputters at fire and rescue service level.

5.2

Work is currently underway to quality check, update and, when the time comes, transfer Hampshire data into the fire Regional Control Centre database. The transfer of data will actually occur some months prior to `go live' and during that time we will need to keep our own existing database up to date and ensure that any changes to the existing system are duplicated to the new database.

6

FireLink

6.1

The FireLink project as it relates to Hampshire is progressing well with the expected completion of fitout to HFRS vehicles to be the end of July. To date there have been no significant issues since the fitout commencement.

7

Out of Scope Work

7.1

There are 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. HFRS is leading the regional workstream to produce business process maps to ascertain the impact and how best to continue with those activities that in the future will not be the responsibility of the RCC.

8

LACC

8.1

The current focus of the LACC is to commence the process of TUPE consultation with all control staff across the SE Region. This will involve a series of consultation meetings with those affected and representative bodies.

8.2

Work is continuing to produce a job specification for the Senior Operations Manager post and this will be advertised in the near future, firstly as a secondment opportunity.

8.3

A business plan for the period 2009/2012 has been agreed.

9

Equality Impact Assessment

9.1

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. http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/fire/firecontrolfullbusinesscase

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