Contract signed to develop joint fire and police command centre (From Wirral Globe)

Contract signed to develop joint fire and police command centre

1:34pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News

Merseyside’s elected police commissioner Jane Kennedy has today signed a contract giving the go-ahead for the development of the county’s new joint police and fire command centre.

The £6.6m control centre will be based at Merseyside fire service headquarters in Bridle Road, Bootle, and will deal with the county’s emergency calls.

Combining fire and police under a single control unit is designed to “provide a more efficient and effective service.”

The two emergency services will share buildings and facilities and will be looking to combine their technology in the longer term.

Police and Crime Commissioner Ms Kennedy said: "This collaboration will not only provide a more efficient service to the Merseyside community but it will also be a more cost-effective way of meeting ongoing service delivery needs in what are very challenging financial times.

"It is vital that a major contract of this type should bring benefits to the local area and we’re delighted that this will be happening.

"This is another example of successful partnership working and I’m thrilled that young people in the area will be able to gain valuable experience by working on this development.”

Councillor Dave Hanratty, chairman of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority, said: "This Merseyside solution will provide opportunities for long-term partnership working and savings as well as real benefits for our mobilizing and command and control functions.”