Report on Fire and Rescue Services’ approach to critical broadband migration “highlights key issues”

While the in-depth report is focused on Fire and Rescue Services in England, its findings will be of interest to any organisations or services around the world involved in a critical communications project or intending to migrate to a broadband-based system.   

The research, itself led by Professor David Allen of Leeds University’s Business School, was commissioned by the Home Office’s Fire Directorate and supported by the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme. In addition to examining factors relating to ICT in England’s Fire and Rescue Services, the report assesses attitudes and preparations in relation to the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme.

Similar research into policing was undertaken by Leeds University’s Business School back in 2016.

British APCO (BAPCO) and The Critical Communications Association will be hosting a webinar in which Professor Allen will present the key findings of the research and the recommendations to address highlighted issues. Professor Allen will be joined by Steve Whatson (deputy director of the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme at the Home Office), who’ll answer questions specifically related to the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme and the Emergency Services Network.

Also joining Professor Allen on the day is Ian Taylor from the National Fire Chiefs Council who’ll be taking questions relating to the UK’s Fire and Rescue Services.

The webinar affords an excellent opportunity to hear first-hand from the report’s author and from those affected by the report’s findings.

The webinar runs at 12 noon BST on Tuesday 8 September. To register visit this link.