Fire control rooms to work together at peak times

The control rooms of three county fire services have joined forces to deal with major incidents and emergency calls in times of high demand.

Norfolk, Suffolk and Hertfordshire would be combining efforts to jointly manage call handling, dispatch crews and coordinate incidents across the geographical areas.

While the majority of calls would still be taken by the local control room, it would allow calls to be diverted during extreme weather events and large fires.

Scott Norman, deputy chief fire officer at Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Ultimately, we can provide a better service for our community, when and where they need it."

The joined-up approach would prevent duplication in reacting to incidents and help cut costs by combining IT systems, the service said.

Darren Cook, assistant chief fire officer at Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, added: "Emergencies aren't restricted by borders, and our responses shouldn't be either.

"Working closely with Norfolk and Suffolk is already leading to more efficient and effective responses, and the chance to share knowledge on how we're using this new technology has been incredibly valuable."

He said that since the hub went live, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service had been able to take calls and manage dispatch for a large structure fire in Hertfordshire.

In Norfolk, Norman said: "During extreme weather events and major fires, it's crucial that we can share call handling and front-line resources with neighbouring fire rescue services.

"The system gives us visibility into our partners' ongoing incidents to mobilise our own crews faster and respond more effectively."

Jamie Newell, the executive council member for the eastern region at the Fire Brigades' Union, said it had previously opposed Cambridgeshire and Suffolk control rooms merging.

He said there were concerns over personnel numbers and being able to "operate efficiently and safely".

He added there had been a "chronic lack of crewing" with a lack of investment in new technology and problems with recruiting and retaining personnel.

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