EADS N.V. - EADS to provide England’s Fire and Rescue Services with new networked control capability

EADS Defence & Security Ltd (DS UK) has been selected as preferred bidder to supply a resilient control room system that will enable England’s Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) to provide a common national response capability for the first time.

Currently, there are 46 fire control centres operated by local fire brigades across England. Each operates different technology and risk management systems, making it difficult to provide a common national response. The FiReControl project, run by the Department for Communities and Local Government, will create nine networked regional control centres (RCCs) all using the same new technology, systems and processes.

The RCCs will be networked to automatically be able to back each other up in times of increased demand or failure and able to provide information to deploy the nearest suitable appliances and provide information on site risks and handling direct to the firefighters’ vehicles.

Modular and flexible in its design, the EADS FiReControl system’s architecture will also cope with unforeseen future demands or extreme disruption to elements of the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure.

Feeds from geographical information systems will enable Regional Control Centres teams to pinpoint at any time the availability and status of the nearest and most appropriate resources, regardless of fire service boundaries, as well as the precise location of callers and incidents. It is the first time the Fire and Rescue Services will be able to draw on such a national view of resources and plan responses and co-ordinate mobilisation accordingly.

The system, which is scheduled to be operational before the 2012 London Olympics, will provide unprecedented capability to respond to large-scale incidents such as industrial accidents, terrorist attacks and environmental disasters, offering greater protection to firefighters and the public.

Len Tyler, managing director of EADS DS UK, commented: “This announcement is a further demonstration of the powerful integration capabilities and skills we have built up at Newport in recent years. It builds on the success we have had in providing secure and resilient Infrastructure Communications Technology (ICT) solutions and services. It supports the current and future investment by EADS in South Wales.”

A key aspect of the transition is managing the transfer and training of staff from the current 46 different ways of working to a common best-practice delivery of the service. EADS will support the Fire and Rescue services in this, as well as designing, supplying, integrating, commissioning and maintaining the communications and IT system that will be at the heart of the Regional Control Centres network.

Robin Southwell, CEO of EADS UK commented, “We are only too aware that the best technology and most robust systems are only as good as the training provided to staff to allow them to operate the technology effectively. Our programme is focused on sensitive and effective change management, ensuring a seamless transition and that staff receive the best possible training to support efficient use of the new system. We look forward to supporting the Department for Communities and Local Government and working closely with other key stakeholders such as the Fire & Rescue Authorities who will own the Regional Control Centre companies.”

EADS Defence & Security is a system solutions provider. It combines military air systems, missile systems, communications and intelligence systems, global security solutions as well as sensor and avionics systems into a single effective network. With 2005 revenues of €5.6 billion, the Division employs 23,000.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2005, EADS generated revenues of €34.2 billion and employed a workforce of about 113,000.

In 2006 Sir Graham Meldrum, then HM Chief Inspector of Fire Services said: “Last year’s [July 2005] London Bombings proved the value of a regional control centre [London]; it was possible to deal with a series of major incidents safeguarding the public and firefighters that are entitled to expect such professional protection from staff that are operating the best equipment available in a safe environment.”
The first RCCs are planned to go live in 2008. The nine RCCs will be based in Cambridge, Castle Donnington, Durham, Fareham, London, Taunton, Wakefield, Warrington, and Wolverhampton.
EADS DS UK has formed a consortium of blue chip companies to deliver this important system.
A leading supplier of secure end-to-end communications to governments around the world, EADS has already been entrusted with some of the UK’s most sensitive information technology projects.

EADS to provide England’s Fire and Rescue Services with new networked control capability

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