28/11/2007 - New Fire and Rescue mobile command centre

Cumbrian firefighters are to take delivery of a new high-tech mobile emergency command centre which will be used to coordinate responses to major incidents in the county.

The government has chosen Cumbria as one of nine Fire and Rescue Services to receive the state-of-the-art enhanced command support vehicles which will provide a national as well as county-wide strategic mobile communications resource.

Brimming with the latest satellite communications technology, the new command vehicle carries a crew of four with a driver’s cabin, central communication and operating compartment, and stowage for equipment.

It is expected to improve inter-agency working by utilising similar mobile communication systems to police, health and and search-and-rescue services.

The new vehicle will eventually replace the county’s existing mobile command centre which is currently used whenever five or more fire engines are deployed to the same incident.

Expected to enter service early next year, the new high-tech vehicle will enable fire chiefs to coordinate firefighters’ response to major emergencies.

Expected to enter service early next year, it will be based in Penrith to take advantage of the town’s access to all four points of the county’s compass via the M6 and A66. 

The government team responsible for allocating the vehicles to Fire and Rescue Services around the country regard Penrith as an important strategic location.

The only one of its kind to be based in the the north of England, crews from Northumbria will also be trained in its use so it can be deployed to tackle emergencies in the North East.

Cumbria’s Chief Fire Officer Dominic Harrison, said: "Our existing mobile command unit was used to coordinate the Fire and Rescue Service’s reaction to the Grayrigg train derailment. 

"Unlike the county’s existing mobile command unit, the new vehicle will have the latest satellite communications which will make it easier to synchronise responses to major incidents with other blue-light emergency services.

"Basing the vehicle in Penrith will mean it is ideally placed to deal with big emergencies in every part of the county and across the North of England."

ENDS

Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337