Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner
Sue Mountstevens has invested nearly £1m to ensure the effective implementation of the new Emergency Services Network, a new mobile radio service, which will work across all three emergency services including police, fire and ambulance, replacing the old Airwave radio system. The national rollout of ESN will begin in December 2017 with the south west stage being completed by December 2019.
Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner is paying £941,285 as part of a £2.8m South-west regional programme. The programme is designed to ensure the effective implementation of the new emergency services radio system, as well as joining up activity with other police forces on testing, vehicle fit out and learning and development.
Sue Mountstevens said, “Modern policing needs effective technology and this important programme of work with our colleagues across the South-west means that officers will have simple access to data, greater connectivity and essential voice contact with other officers and the control room.
“Making sure police officers have the right tools for the job is a priority of mine over the next four-years as Avon and Somerset’s Police and Crime Commissioner. The work that is already underway on ESMCP by Devon and Cornwall Police is vital for our future and I will continue to explore effective programmes of work like this on a regional basis to ensure that we make savings and efficiencies.”
The Emergency Services Network (ESN) will provide secure and resilient 4G voice and data connectivity across all emergency services across the South-west and the country. The commitment to invest in the platform was made at a meeting of the South West Regional Strategic Board, which is attended by the all the South-west PCCs and Chief Constables.
When implemented the new system will provide significantly increased functionality at a reduced cost compared to the current system.
