Equipment
Theme 8
Equipment
Last updated: 08 July 2021
Recommendation
33.21a
That the London Fire Brigade urgently take steps to obtain equipment that enables firefighters wearing helmets and breathing apparatus to communicate with the bridgehead effectively, including when operating in high-rise buildings.
Progress date:
August 2022
Responsible for completion:
- London Fire Brigade
Progress
Status
London Fire Brigade has reported that this recommendation is in progress.
London Fire Brigade is working on four workstreams to improve radio communications between the breathing apparatus crews and the bridgehead, including when operating in high rise buildings.
These are: the Radio Replacement Workstream, Radio Repeaters Replacement Workstream, Training Workstream and RPE Replacement Workstream.
Recommendation
33.21b
That urgent steps be taken to ensure that the command support system is fully operative on all command units and that crews are trained in its use.
Responsible for completion:
- London Fire Brigade
Progress
Status
London Fire Brigade has reported that this recommendation has been completed.
The London Fire Brigade has installed new hardware servers on all its Command Units, and 4G connectivity has provided enhanced functionality and reliability of the command support system. The Command Units are also each provided with two 4G enabled laptops to provide resilience and support more flexible access to the command support system remote from the Command Unit.
All Command Unit staff have undertaken refresher training.