Firefighters get a new digital radio network
A state-of-the art radio link to help Scotland's firefighters was launched today.
FIREFIGHTERS GET NEW DIGITAL RADIO NETWORK
29 Jul 2009
A state-of-the art radio link to help Scotland's firefighters was launched today.
Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing visited fire crews in Dumfries - the first in Scotland to get the Firelink system.
Every fire appliance in Scotland is due to get the new radios by the first half of 2010.
The Scottish Government said it is spending £37 million over three years on the digital radios, which will replace the analogue radios currently used.
Firelink will allow firefighters to communicate directly with their control rooms, other fire crews across the UK and the police.
The new system is said to be more reliable because of a better quality signal and includes a priority call function, allowing firefighters to call for help more quickly if, for example, they are physically attacked.
The decision to design a communications system that can link all UK emergency services came after the terrorist attacks in New York on September 11, 2001, and London on July 7, 2005.
Today Mr Ewing used Firelink to speak to firefighters in the Highlands and Islands and in London.
Afterwards he said: "Firelink represents a significant investment in the safety and security of Scotland and its communities.
"It will further enhance the ability of our emergency services to work effectively together on major incidents and will for the first time allow the blue-light services to communicate directly with each other, no matter how remote the location.
David Wynne, chair of the Chief Fire Officer's Association Scotland and chief fire officer for Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service, welcomed the system.
"It is critical that firefighters are able to communicate effectively with other crews and other emergency services. This new system significantly improves the ability of fire and rescue services to co-ordinate a response to any incident," he said.
