Police and fire control rooms merger to be discussed
Proposals to create a joint control room for Tayside police and fire service could move forward today when they come before the joint boards of each organisation in Perth.
Stephen Hunter in the fire control room at Macalpine Road in Dundee.
- By Alan Richardson
- Published in the Courier : 15.11.10
- Published online : 15.11.10 @ 10.48am
The controversial proposal was mooted by Chief Constable Justine Curran and Chief Fire Officer Stephen Hunter last month as both services seek to make massive budget cuts.
Fleet maintenance will also be examined as a possible area of collaborative working.
A joint paper by Ms Curran and Mr Hunter states, "As the board will be aware public sector finances are under severe pressure and, as such, Tayside Police and Tayside Fire and Rescue are likely to face significant funding shortfalls over the coming years.
"In preparation for such funding issues both services have explored many ways of saving money through internal efficiencies and partnership collaborative working with other like services, local authorities and cross service partners.
"Earlier this year, senior management of both services met to consider ways in which each could assist the other in continuing to deliver the high level of quality services expected by the communities of Tayside in the face of significant budget cuts.
"A range of common services were explored and some areas were identified where closer working and sharing of information could enhance the current partnership arrangements."
Fire Brigades Union Scottish regional secretary Jim Malone said the control room merger — shifting the 22 fire and rescue staff to police headquarters in Bell Street — is a fait accompli and those employees have already been told of the move.
He said it raises fears the fire service will effectively become controlled by police.
However, the paper to go before the boards today states, "The study identified that there may be many business benefits from combined working, by offering closer synergy in responding to large and major incidents, better information sharing, reduction of duplicate calls and the benefits of harmonising processes."
Mr Malone said his members will be shocked by the resurrection of a plan apparently abandoned when first flagged up three years ago.
Less controversial is the suggestion Tayside Fire and Rescue staff and premises could be used to service and maintain heavy police vehicles and, in the future, all vehicles.
The paper says, "Tayside Fire and Rescue have significant experience and expertise in this area and many advantages over commercial competitors. Tayside Fire and Rescue's premises are secure, all staff are suitably vetted and they have expertise in servicing heavy emergency vehicles.
"In addition Tayside Fire and Rescue can carry out this work at competitive rates. Accordingly maintenance of the force's heavy vehicles has been outsourced to Tayside Fire and Rescue Service for a trial period.
"On the back of this initiative the opportunity exists to consider the potential for greater efficiencies in maintaining light vehicles through joint working."
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