Control room re- configuration - specialist consultancy services

The Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, Part 2 Sections 7(2)(c), 8(2)(c) and 9(3)(c), places a duty on Fire and Rescue Authorities to make arrangements for dealing with calls for help and summoning personnel.

There are various models which can be adopted to fulfil these call handling obligations. Traditionally, Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) have operated their own Control Rooms. However, since the collapse of the Government's Regional Fire Control Centres project in 2010 and more recently the introduction of the Police and Crime Act 2017 duty to keep collaboration opportunities under review in the interests of efficiency and effectiveness, many FRS have now strategically joined up with others to provide joint Fire Control functions

Cleveland Fire Authority and County Durham and Darlington FRS have together identified a number of strategic collaborative options to be explored for Fire Control call handing and mobilising.

Independent consultancy is now required to appraise the viability of these strategic options.