Cleveland is the latest Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) to have its vehicles fitted with the new radios. The other NE FRS already connected to the new radio network, known as Firelink, are Tyne and Wear, Durham and Darlington, and Northumberland.
Now that all four FRS are on the same network, they can communicate between all FRS command headquarters, between control room and fire crews, as well as with the police and ambulance services.
During a visit today to Tyne and Wear's West Newcastle Fire Station, Fire Minister Sadiq Khan tried out one of the new radios for himself and said:
"It's great to see the Firelink radio system now in operation. And for the North East it is a double-first! With the North East the first region to have all its FRS connected to Firelink, and the North East being in the first phase of the FireControl Centres that answer 999 calls to go live in 2010. They also have special New Dimension equipment, such as high volume pumps, so they are increasingly well placed to deal with major emergencies.
"The new radio network provides firefighters and control staff with a radio system that helps to make their job easier. "
Sadiq Khan also visited Tyne and Wear FRS headquarters to see some of the New Dimension specialist equipment that has been paid for by the Government.
Communities and Local Government (North East)
