FireLink
Encyclopedia
FireLink or Firelink is a new wide area radio system being introduced in England, Wales and Scotland for the fire service. The system which supports both voice and data communication will replace a patchwork of analogue systems with a modern wider area digital system. It will also provide new functionality - notably resilience and interoperability with other FRS and emergency services - which recent major incidents have identified as important.
FireLink will enable fire appliances to be mobilised in response to a 999 call by voice and data in Scotland, Wales and London. It became operational in Scotland and Wales in 2010. In the rest of England, mobilisation will be by voice only, as the FiReControl
project to provide new emergency control rooms using FireLink was cancelled in 2010.
The key benefits of Firelink include more effective and safer service delivery through clearer voice communication and call group management for incident mobilisation and management; the ability to send data and status codes to/from mobile vehicles – a faster/more accurate medium than voice communication; and,in Wales, Scotland and London, the ability to identify and mobilise the nearest available appliance through an automated vehicle location (AVL) system. As a single comms system operating with standardised equipment across all 57 fire and rescue services across Great Britain, the system will also enhance the services' ability to respond collectively to major incidents by allowing fire and rescue appliances supporting major incidents the ability to speak directly to the control room managing the incident (where ever it may be). Finally, the system is also more resilient and secure and offers inter-interoperability with other blue lights services.
The system is being developed and built by Airwave Solutions Limited , it will be part of the airwave private digital network
. It is a private, digital, secure, TETRA
or terrestrial trunk radio network, and will replace the many different existing networks commissioned by individual fire and rescue services.
In England, the project is part of CLG's fire resilience programme, which also includes the New Dimension programme
and FiReControl
projects. The New Dimension project has already delivered a range of equipment to the FRS to assist with handling large scale incidents. The vehicles supplied as part of the New Dimension provision will be fitted with the new FireLink digital radios.
FireLink will enable fire appliances to be mobilised in response to a 999 call by voice and data in Scotland, Wales and London. It became operational in Scotland and Wales in 2010. In the rest of England, mobilisation will be by voice only, as the FiReControl
FiReControl
FiReControl was a project, initiated in the UK in March 2004, to reduce the number of control rooms used to handle emergency calls for fire services and authorities. Presently there are 46 control rooms in England that handle calls from the local public for emergency assistance via the 999 system...
project to provide new emergency control rooms using FireLink was cancelled in 2010.
The key benefits of Firelink include more effective and safer service delivery through clearer voice communication and call group management for incident mobilisation and management; the ability to send data and status codes to/from mobile vehicles – a faster/more accurate medium than voice communication; and,in Wales, Scotland and London, the ability to identify and mobilise the nearest available appliance through an automated vehicle location (AVL) system. As a single comms system operating with standardised equipment across all 57 fire and rescue services across Great Britain, the system will also enhance the services' ability to respond collectively to major incidents by allowing fire and rescue appliances supporting major incidents the ability to speak directly to the control room managing the incident (where ever it may be). Finally, the system is also more resilient and secure and offers inter-interoperability with other blue lights services.
The system is being developed and built by Airwave Solutions Limited , it will be part of the airwave private digital network
Airwave (communications network)
The Airwave network is a mobile communications network dedicated for the use by the emergency services in the United Kingdom. Designed to be both secure and resilient it allows multiple agencies integrated communications through a nationwide network. It is a secure digital, encrypted network and...
. It is a private, digital, secure, TETRA
Tetra
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or terrestrial trunk radio network, and will replace the many different existing networks commissioned by individual fire and rescue services.
In England, the project is part of CLG's fire resilience programme, which also includes the New Dimension programme
New Dimension programme
The New Dimension programme, sometimes referred to as the New Dimension or New Dimensions, was started by the Department for Communities and Local Government in the UK, for fire and rescue services in England and Wales, following the 2001 terror attacks.It has provided equipment, training and...
and FiReControl
FiReControl
FiReControl was a project, initiated in the UK in March 2004, to reduce the number of control rooms used to handle emergency calls for fire services and authorities. Presently there are 46 control rooms in England that handle calls from the local public for emergency assistance via the 999 system...
projects. The New Dimension project has already delivered a range of equipment to the FRS to assist with handling large scale incidents. The vehicles supplied as part of the New Dimension provision will be fitted with the new FireLink digital radios.
See also
- Fire service in the United KingdomFire service in the United KingdomThe fire services in the United Kingdom operate under separate legislative and administrative arrangements in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales...
- FiReControlFiReControlFiReControl was a project, initiated in the UK in March 2004, to reduce the number of control rooms used to handle emergency calls for fire services and authorities. Presently there are 46 control rooms in England that handle calls from the local public for emergency assistance via the 999 system...
- New Dimension programmeNew Dimension programmeThe New Dimension programme, sometimes referred to as the New Dimension or New Dimensions, was started by the Department for Communities and Local Government in the UK, for fire and rescue services in England and Wales, following the 2001 terror attacks.It has provided equipment, training and...
- Central Communications CommandCentral Communications CommandThe Central Communications Command is the largest Operational Command Unit OCU of London's Metropolitan Police Service. It sits within Territorial Policing, the business group within the Met that is responsible for Borough Policing and public contact...
- Gold Silver Bronze command structureGold Silver Bronze command structureA gold–silver–bronze command structure is used by emergency services of the United Kingdom to establish a hierarchical framework for the command and control of major incidents and disasters...