Some parts of England will not benefit from a modern Fire
Brigade communications network in time for the2012 Olympics.
The news follows further delays in the
FireControl project .
The project, which will replace 46 fire control rooms across
England with a new network of nine, was originally to be completed
in 2009, until the first round of delays moved the date back to
summer 2010.
The project may not be fully implemented until 2012 or 2013,
meaning some of the control rooms won't be fully transferred to the
new system in time for the Olympics.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said some control rooms that have
not fully migrated will be using a "mish-mash" of systems.
Adrian Clarke, regional secretary at the FBU for East Anglia,
said, "You would expect an influx of people in the country when you
are holding the Olympics. The event could be a target for terrorism
and it's absolute nonsense that we will be working with a mish-mash
of systems."
The FBU said it has concerns over the IT systems because it will
be the first time a 999 system will have a call stacking system.
"We believe that this system will not be as effective as they say
it will be," said Clarke. "The goalposts were shifted to fit what
could be delivered."
The aim of the £1bn project is to improve resilience by
introducing the ability to transfer calls to different sites at
busy times.
A spokesperson for the Department of Communities and Local
Government said, "Schedules for projects of this kind are kept
under constant review. The department's focus is making sure the
benefits of this project are delivered to the fire and rescue
service and the public."