TVFCS Enhances Operations with NEC’s Vision Command, DS3000 ICCS, and BOSS Tools

TVFCS uses the Vision Command and Control and the DS3000 Integrated Communication Control System, which we supplied and support. We also provide BOSS, for desktop and mobile use, as an operational situational awareness tool. It’s being used by more than 100 officers across the three services, as well as the IT support team, the press office and other support functions.

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

As the three fire and rescue services centralised their control rooms into the TVFCS, they used BOSS to give officers a single view of all ongoing incidents; it has now become an integral part of their operations.

Once alerted and mobilized to an incident by TVFCS, an officer can immediately access the incident location and type, including mapping, as well as the narrative from the Vision Incident log. They can also view the status of responding resources, both appliances and officers. All officers have access to a common operating picture across the region, which enhances situational awareness of other incidents in the immediate area. This allows a responding officer to review the resource implications. The incident log narrative can be updated on scene and shared with responding officers, serving as an efficient handover tool for incidents that span multiple days or shifts.

Officers can update their own status, and the system provides a full audit log of activity that can be used as part of the management information reporting at different levels across the services. Additionally, the use of the narrative reduces radio-based voice traffic between officers and the control room.

In the event of major incidents, such as widespread flooding, individual officers can use the BOSS Mobile system to manage multiple incidents. A batch mobilising function allows the officer on scene to review, prioritise and resource accordingly. The continued updates of the incident allows senior officers and the press office to monitor progress and, if necessary, escalate any response or briefings.

INFORMATION TOOL FOR OPERATIONAL SUPPORT

It is not just live incidents that BOSS Mobile is effective in managing. The system is also used for ‘information only incidents’, such as road closure notices or other significant events that would affect operations. At a single glance, an officer has all the information at their fingertips and can respond accordingly.

Should issues arise with any of the services’ IT and communications systems during an incident, the on-call operational support team can use BOSS Mobile as an initial information and diagnostic tool to enable them to take prompt action if required. By providing a servicewide picture, BOSS Mobile helps the team prioritise and manage their response, rationalise urgent travel and maintain the systems’ operational status.