Suffolk fire service’s new £1.6m control room goes live

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has opened its new £1.6m control room in Ipswich, ushering in faster, smarter and more resilient 999 operations.

Plans for the new control room were confirmed in 2023 when Suffolk fire service decided it would no longer continue to share a facility with neighbouring Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority, which it believed was “no longer fit for purpose.”

The initiative involved building a brand-new contact centre from the ground up, recruiting and training an entirely new team, and implementing bespoke configurations tailored to all the communities in Suffolk.

The new control room, powered by the latest technology from Motorola Solutions, now serves as a future-ready, cloud-enabled hub for managing critical 999 emergency calls across the county.

The new control room includes several helpful new features that will support Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service in responding to emergencies more effectively:

• Better preparation for major incidents – The system helps the team respond more quickly and manage operations more smoothly during large-scale emergencies, like floods and wildfires, which are becoming increasingly common in the UK.
• Remote access – Staff can now securely log in to the control system from any location, making it easier to set up mobile command centres or offer support remotely when needed.
• Improved call and data handling – A new system stores and organises control room voice recordings more securely, keeping all key information in one place and linking it to the right incidents.
• Stronger regional teamwork – The control room is part of a wider hub with Hertfordshire and Norfolk fire services, allowing the teams to support each other and share the load during busy periods, such as when multiple 999 calls are received simultaneously.

“This project is about making sure every call for help is answered with speed, precision, and care. Bringing services back into the county was a decisive move to put Suffolk’s residents and public value at the heart of emergency response.

“The new control room features advanced dispatch technology, upgraded communications systems, and enhanced data sharing capabilities – ensuring faster, smarter coordination during emergencies.

“I’m immensely proud of everyone who played a part in delivering this project successfully.”

Jon Lacey, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer.

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