Emergency service communications report 

On September 8 at 12:00 hrs BST, the Critical Communications Assocication (TCCA) and British APCO (BAPCO) will host a webinar to present findings from a new report on Fire and Rescue Services’ approach to critical broadband migration.

_{Although the report is centred on UK research and services, its findings are applicable in a global context. Image: alphaspirit/123rf}

The UK-based research is relevant to a global audience of first responders and critical operators and highlights key issues; its findings will be of interest to any organisations or services involved in a critical communications project or intending to migrate to a broadband-based system.   

The report, carried out by researchers at the University of Leeds, UK, is entitled ‘Information and Communication Technologies in the Fire and Rescue Services in England, UK’. It focuses on the UK’s Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP) and the services’ readiness for and confidence in the UK’s Emergency Services Network (ESN). 

The research, led by Professor David Allen of Leeds University Business School, was commissioned by the UK Home Office Fire Directorate and supported by ESMCP. In addition to examining factors relating to ICT in English Fire and Rescue Services, the report examines attitudes and preparations in relation to ESMCP.  

During the webinar, the report’s author, Professor Allen will present the key findings, and the recommendations to address highlighted issues. He will be joined by Steve Whatson, Deputy Director at ESMCP and from the UK Home Office, to answer questions specifically related to the ESMCP and ESN. In addition, Ian Taylor from the UK National Fire Chiefs Council will take questions specifically on the UK’s Fire and Rescue Services.

Register for the webinar here. It forms part of TCCA’s Critical Updates series – to view all of the webinars please visit here