Mid and south Wales duo to use Capita software in move that could extend to other services
Two Welsh fire services have taken a step towards merging their command control operations with the award of a joint contract to Capita Communications and Control Solutions to provide a unified software package.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) will begin to use Capita’s Vision software when they merge and relocate to South Wales Police headquarters in Bridgend in May of next year.
A spokesperson for MAWWFRS told UKAuthority that the merged command and control team will be better placed to share information between the two services and coordinate responses to major incidents.
“It’s both a cost saving and an information sharing measure,” he said.
Ambulance and police
The services are in discussions with the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust over the possibility of it sharing the software in the future. There are also provisional plans for South Wales Police to share as its existing contract with Capita is due to expire at the same time as the fire services’ deal.
The different services could use their own command and control functions but it would be possible to run these from the same platform, the spokesperson said.
Chris Davies, the senior responsible officer for the project, said: “This new control room software also provides improved functionality and efficiency from the current systems in use, and will allow control room teams to effectively manage fire emergency calls across South Wales Fire and Rescue and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service areas.
“The software provides integration with other systems such as our On-Call Firefighter Availability System as well as providing automated information sharing between other emergency services in the region.”
Pictured: Fire service with Capita representatives marking the new deal
