Member Article

Radiocoms selected to modernise Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service radio communication systems

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has awarded a three-year contract to Radiocoms Systems Ltd for the deployment and support of a modern, mission critical radio communication systems, supporting their capital plan to drive forward change and innovation with the latest firefighting technologies to promote firefighter safety, increasing efficiencies across their operations and for the communities of Suffolk. Under the contract their selected radio communication technologies (Motorola Solutions MOTOTRBO) will also allow them to align as a joint mobilising service when attending incidents.

Radiocoms was awarded the contract following a competitive tender process in which it demonstrated expertise in digital transformation and the engineering of technology based fire and rescue service projects. They were also recognised for their environmental and sustainability commitments.

Aeneas Postlethwaite, equipment officer at Suffolk Fire & Rescue, commented. “Our current analogue systems had reached end of life and there where challenges finding replacement parts, coupled with interoperability issues with regional services who had already migrated to digital.”

SFRS is the latest UK fire and rescue service to select Motorola Solutions, MOTOTRBO digital portfolio which is well recognised for its capabilities, advanced functionalities and resiliency on the fireground.

In addition to the handheld devices, SFRS selected rapid deployment repeaters to support complex incidents where a coverage footprint requires expansion. The early establishment of effective communications on a fireground where teams are widely dispersed ensures accuracy of the information being relayed both on the inside and outside of a fireground, allowing the incident commander to re-analyse the situation at any point.

Aeneas concluded. “Radiocoms has worked with our regional colleagues delivering similar sized projects which has allowed us to work in partnership to deliver a fit for purpose solution. Radiocoms demonstrated real capability and quality throughout the tendering process, the experience they have brought to the table has allowed us to maximise the hand portable radios capability and introduce good practices from other projects they have delivered.”

Simon Bingham, added. “We are extremely proud to be a trusted partner of the UK fire and rescue service. We are delighted to be selected to support SFRS capital plan for innovation and this contract award demonstrates how the UKFRS continue to put their trust in our technology and services.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Michelle Williamson .