IBM to supply tech for new Emergency Services Network
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A new communications system for emergency services to share more information in real-time is to be designed and built by tech firm IBM, the Home Office has announced. The scandal-hit project to bring in the Emergency Services Network (ESN), first launched in 2015, was supposed to have replaced the ageing Airwave system for police, fire and ambulance services in England, Scotland and Wales, by 2020. But it has been beset by years of delays and costs running into billions of pounds.
It is set to support more than 300,000 emergency responders in Britain, and will allow police, fire and ambulance services to share live data and imagery, location reports and essential public safety information as they work on rescue and response incidents.
We must do everything we can to maximise the chances of successful outcomes, and communications between frontline staff is critical to ensuring this. As part of the network, new software for handheld devices will provide data-sharing functions and real-time video features, as well as a push-to-talk feature for instant communications.
The Home Office said the system will help provide vital information to emergency services more quickly, for example instantly updating fire services about the make and model of a vehicle involved in a road traffic accident, which could then be cross-referenced with data on how to best use cutting equipment if someone is trapped, or where batteries are located on an electric car.
Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said: “Every day our brave emergency services help members of the public facing life or death situations. We must do everything we can to maximise the chances of successful outcomes, and communications between frontline staff is critical to ensuring this.
