Fire services join forces for £250m shared service agreement

Fire services from London, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Lincolnshire to share control and mobilisation systems

Fire services across the UK are to engage in a major IT shared services agreement, covering control and mobilisation systems, which will involve a 10-year contract worth up to £248m.

The procurement process is being led by the London Fire and Emergency Planning Service, with the contract also due to cover fire and rescue services in Lincolnshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

Under the contract, the successful bidder will be expected to take on the management of call handling software, IT maintenance and support, data management and business continuity services.

The London Fire and Emergency Planning Service anticipates drawing up a shortlist of no more than six potential bidders, which could include an in-house service.

In late 2010, the government announced its decision to scrap the £430m FireControl scheme, which was to replace 46 fire control centres with nine regional sites.