left to right: Paul Street (IW Chief Fire Officer), CllrDavid Whittaker (Chair IW Council Fire and Community Safety ScrutinyPanel), Russell Pearson (Surrey Chief Fire Officer), Cllr Barry Abraham(IWC cabinet member for Fire and Community Safety), Cllr David Williams(Former Chair of IWC Policy Commission for Safer Communities).
The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue's new mobile data system was officially launched today (28 September) with Chief Fire Officers from the Isle of Wight and Surrey signing an important service level agreement.
All the information is held on Toughbooks, ruggedized tablet computers which can be removed from appliances if required and taken directly to the incident. As well as risk information, such as locations of
hazardous, the system holds schematics of utilities and transport networks, detailed maps, fire safety guidance, language translation, software to work out exclusion zones as well as details of which buildings have received fire safety checks.
Paul Street, Isle of Wight Chief Fire Officer said, "We were delighted to work with Surrey and IMASS on developing a system for the Island. Together, they have a great deal of experience and we felt very confident adopting an existing system which has already proved so effective in Surrey.
Russell Pearson, Chief Fire Officer for Surrey Fire and Rescue said: "We've been developing our mobile data system for over seven years to become one of the most advanced in the country. For this to be not only recognised by another fire service but also replicated, is very rewarding. By sharing our knowledge and experience we've enabled our Isle of Wight colleagues to implement this new system both quickly and efficiently at a time when crew safety is at the forefront of the national fire service agenda."