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A major upgrade to Scotland’s emergency mobilisation system has gone live, changing how the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) handles 999 calls and deploys resources to incidents across the country.
The first phase of the New Mobilising System – the Integrated Communication Control System (ICCS) – has been delivered through a £30m contract with Motorola Solutions. The system provides a new telephony and radio communications platform designed to improve resilience, stability and speed in emergency response.
Following a phased rollout, extensive testing and staff training, the ICCS is now fully operational across SFRS’s three Operations Control centres in Edinburgh, Johnstone and Dundee. It supports how control room staff receive emergency calls and mobilise firefighters to incidents.
Jonathan Henderson, Assistant Chief Officer at SFRS, said the upgrade would make a tangible difference for both staff and the public.
“Operations Control staff handle some of the most challenging situations every day,” he said. “This new ICCS platform gives them tools to help them work faster and with greater confidence. Delivering the upgrade on time shows the strength of the partnership behind it, and ultimately it means the public benefits from a more resilient emergency response.”
Jonathan Henderson, Assistant Chief Officer at SFRS.
The project forms part of SFRS’s long-term Strategic Service Review Programme and has been delivered on time and to scope. According to the service, the new system improves the stability and resilience of firefighter mobilisation, supporting both operational crews and the communities they serve.
The upgrade comes as demand on control rooms remains high. Last year alone, firefighters across Scotland attended more than 74,000 emergencies, each involving one or more 999 calls.
During a visit to Edinburgh Operations Control, Siobhian Brown MSP, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, said the system was underpinned by record Scottish Government funding.
“This modern mobilisation system enhances resilience, strengthens communication, and ensures that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service can reach those who need them as swiftly as possible,” she said. “It gives control room firefighters the tools they need to make critical decisions quickly and effectively, helping keep communities across Scotland safe.”
Siobhian Brown MSP.
Motorola Solutions also welcomed the successful delivery of the project. Dave Shorland, UK and Ireland sales director at the company, said control rooms were “at the heart of emergency response” and required modern, reliable technology.
With the system now live, SFRS and Motorola Solutions will continue to monitor performance, support staff and plan further development and optimisation work.
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