Firefighter radio system goes live

“Major emergencies”

Scotland’s eight fire and rescue services have become the first in Great Britain to begin operating a new state-of-the-art digital communication system.

The Firelink system is now operational in over 1,100 fire service vehicles and 368 fire stations nationwide with Scotland being first to coordinate emergency responses using both voice and data communication.

The £38 million Scottish Government funded system is part of a UK-wide project to provide the fire and rescue service with the equipment needed to respond to major emergencies including terrorism

“Emergency in Scotland”

Fergus Ewing, Minister for Community Safety said:

“Firelink represents a significant commitment to the safety and security of Scotland’s communities. Scotland’s fire and rescue services now have the most advanced communication system in the UK.

“The Scottish Government’s investment in greater functionality has given Scottish frontline firefighters an unrivalled ability to coordinate their emergency response. The successful delivery of this programme is testament to the excellent partnership working between the eight fire and rescue services, Scottish Government and Airwave.”

Brian Sweeney of the Chief Fire Officers Association Scotland said:

“The fire and rescue service is at the forefront of Scotland’s emergency response capability where fast and reliable information is critical. Firelink gives us a step-change in capability and for the first time allows crews to communicate and coordinate directly with other blue light colleagues.

“Any major emergency in Scotland could see services from all parts the country and even England working together, so the role of Firelink in coordinating these crews cannot be underestimated.”

“Global Positioning System”

The decision to introduce Firelink was taken following the September 11th and July 7th terrorist attacks, which highlighted the need for a single, reliable communications system linking all emergency services.

As well as enabling emergency services to better coordinate their response to major incidents the new digital system will also provide Scotland’s firefighters with a step change in sound quality, reliability and functionality.

Firelink will deliver a geographical coverage of some 90,000 square miles from urban to the most remote rural communities. It is also being introduced throughout England and Wales ensuring one common system for every emergency response vehicle in Great Britain.

The data capability in Scotland will enable priority mobilisation messages to be sent directly to appliances while a Global Positioning System enhances both service operations and firefighter safety by tracking every resource.

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