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Surrey Fire and Rescue Service showcases incident management system from Fortek Computers
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service reveals their selection of VISION FX to other Brigades to highlight the systems’ provision of efficient command and control centre operations and reduction in fire response times-
Fire officers from Brigades across the country converged in Surrey last month as the service unveiled their advanced mobilising system. Officers from Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, Cumbria, Devon and Somerset, Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Mid and West Wales, Norfolk, South Wales, Suffolk, West Midlands travelled to Surrey Fire and Rescue, which has been developing the bespoke system with industry-leaders Fortek Computers, to see firsthand how the VISION FX mobilising system improves service delivery.
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service selected the latest version of command and control incident management system, VISION FX, from IT software house Fortek Computers to replace a range of manual processes at the service's Command and Control centre. The solution enables Surrey Fire and Rescue Service to quickly and efficiently locate the nearest fire engine and calculate the quickest route to the scene. VISION FX will also enable operators to dispatch the correct number of crews required for individual incidents and any specialist equipment required within seconds of receiving the initial 999 call.
The contract, valued in the region of £350,000, includes a mobile data package that provides attending fire crews with a visual graphic location of the fire scene and all available risk data via touch-screen in-cab computers. The software will ensure that fire crews are fully prepared with the maximum information available before arriving at the scene.
Russell Pearson, Chief Fire Officer at Surrey Fire and Rescue Services said, “Previously, any 999 call we received would result in a fire engine being mobilised from the fire station covering that area – regardless of whether another engine was closer to the incident or whether it had the right equipment on board. The VISION FX system from Fortek will enable our Control Staff to instantly see which crew is closest to the incident and action them accordingly, dramatically reducing our response times throughout the region and literally saving lives.”
Pearson continues, “The mobile data element of the package is a huge benefit in terms of keeping our fire crews safe and well. Knowing detailed information about the type of incident the fire crew are facing and what risks are present before arriving at the scene, will ensure our teams work as efficiently and safely as possible, which is our top priority.
"It was great to see so many interested colleagues at our event, and it was the perfect opportunity for us to showcase our new system and share the benefits we’re experiencing. A key benefit of VISION FX is that we will be fully prepared for when the new Regional Control System is implemented. Although the Government has not yet made clear its proposals for mobilising systems within regional control centres, we didn't feel we could wait until 2011 to move ahead with this. By investing in VISION FX, Surrey Fire & Rescue Service will be ahead of the game and this will really pay dividends later down the line in terms of cost and time savings.”
