Home Office and IBM partner on Emergency Services Network

by Featured NewsPeople

Frontline emergency services will benefit from a new communications network, as the government announces a new partnership with IBM following a series of delays by previous suppliers. 

The Emergency Services Network (ESN) will support more than 300,000 emergency responders in Great Britain, providing them with better technology and faster access to data in emergency situations and frontline operations. 

Police forces, fire services and ambulance trusts will be able to share live data and imagery, location reports and essential public safety information as they work on time-critical rescue and response efforts. 

After several delays to the rollout of ESN over recent years, the government is committing to delivering the project as quickly as possible, helping to save lives as a result. The Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson, will chair regular meetings to ensure the project is running to time and cost.

Providing the emergency services with improved technology is a key part of the government’s drive to make the nation’s streets safer, which is a crucial part of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.

Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, Dame Diana Johnson’s statement

Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, Dame Diana Johnson, said: “Every day our brave emergency services help members of the public facing life-or-death situations.

“We must do everything we can to maximise the chances of successful outcomes and communications between frontline staff is critical to ensuring this. 

“This government is working tirelessly to support this project, making sure it is delivered in a timely and cost-effective manner and IBM will be an important part of bringing the Emergency Services Network online.”

Managing Partner, IBM UK and Ireland, Rahul Kalia’s statement

Rahul Kalia, Managing Partner at IBM UK and Ireland, said: “We are proud to support the Emergency Services Network (ESN) in delivering a secure and resilient communications platform to empower frontline emergency services.  

“Working with our ecosystem partners, we will deliver mission-critical services for first responders to enhance safety in our communities across Great Britain. 

“We look forward to working with the government to deliver this in a timely and cost-effective manner.”

Features of the software

Software for new handheld devices will provide data-sharing functions and real-time video features, providing personnel with the critical information they need to save lives, as well as a push-to-talk protocol for instant communications. 

One real-world example of how the network could work is in a serious road traffic collision:

  • The first service to arrive would be able share their exact location using GPS data with the other services
  • Fire services would be instantly updated with the make and model of vehicle, which can then be cross-referenced with data on how to best use cutting equipment, if someone was trapped, or where batteries are located on electric cars
  • They could also update paramedics with passenger details to check medical information and determine if there is anything they need to know such as prior medical conditions
  • This would greatly speed up dealing with the incident and the ability to aid the victims involved

Led by the Home Office, ESN will implement the next generation of fast, safe and secure voice, video, and data communication, allowing emergency services to work in tandem and coordinate efforts when protecting and aiding members of the public. 

Similar technology has already been rolled out with success in countries including the USA, Canada and South Korea.

As the new user services supplier, IBM will be responsible for leading the design, build and system integration of the ESN platform.

Key to achieving this will be IBM’s delivery of IT infrastructure, which will be fundamental to ensuring improved and more efficient communication capabilities for mission-critical services.

ESN launched to support more than 300,000 emergency responders in Great Britain: Summary

The Emergency Services Network has been created out of a partnership between the Home Office and IBM. The Managing Director of IBM said that the platform will empower frontline emergency services.

EU emergency responders deployed to Chile

by Featured News

Following a request for assistance from Chile, France, Portugal and Spain deployed more than 250 firefighters, coordination experts, and medical personnel to the most affected areas via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

Numerous wildfires have been burning across central and southern Chile due to record high temperatures.

The European civil protection response includes:

  • A team of 141 firefighters, coordination experts, and medical personnel from Portugal.
  • A team composed of 80 firefighters from France.
  • 2 Ground Forest Fire teams of 28 people total and a Forest Fire-Fighting Assessment and Advisory Team (FAST) of 10 experts from Spain.
  • A Liaison Officer from the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre’s is deployed to Chile and an EU Civil Protection Team is planned to be sent in the next days.
  • The European Emergency Response Centre has activated the EU’s Aristotle reporting service and the Copernicus Emergency Satellite Mapping Service, producing 15 maps so far.

Earlier this year, the EU has already channelled €100,000 in emergency assistance to support the Chilean Red Cross working with people affected by the late December fires in the upper part of the Valparaíso Region, 120 km from Santiago.

The EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre is in constant contact with the Chilean authorities to channel further assistance and the EU stands ready to provide further help as requested.

High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell said: “European solidarity knows no borders. We stand by Chile at this time of great need and are proud to support the response efforts. I thank our first responders for putting EU solidarity in action. Chile can count on our support in the fight against the devastating effects of climate change, a global challenge.”

Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management, said: “At a time when our continent is facing such massive emergencies as the earthquake in Türkey and Syria and the war in Ukraine, I praise France, Portugal and Spain for not forgetting what is happening in other parts of the world. The response to this overwhelming disaster, mobilised by the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, demonstrates yet again its value added in international efforts to save lives, while representing best of European solidarity in action both within the EU and around the world.”