Cost of centralised 999 service soars

Jun 22 2009 by Alastair Craig, The Journal

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: “The project is in meltdown. Fire services needed the entire national network to be bedded down and tested by summer 2011 and that will not happen.

“The options being looked at are farcical. They appear to be the last gasp of civil servants desperate to justify their previous recommendations.

“The new ministers need to take the opportunity to look at this project afresh and end it now to give the fire service certainty and end the anxiety being caused to control room staff.

“The only real option is keeping and upgrading our existing fire controls and getting the new digital radio system in place. The project is already years late, massively over-budget and the Government remain unable to convince the fire service they can make it work properly.”

The project was meant to be finished by 2007. A series of delays followed by major technical problems has seen the completion date pushed back. Despite reports, the DCLG insists it remains confident of delivering the state-of-the-art scheme before the summer of 2012.

A spokeswoman said: “Schedules for projects of this kind are kept under constant review.

“Public safety is always of the utmost importance and there are a great many people working to ensure the Olympics are safe and a success.

“We are confident that FiReControl system can be delivered and as with any project of this size it is right and proper for there to be contingency plans put in place. The Department's focus is making sure the benefits of this project are delivered to the fire and rescue service and the public.”