A severely delayed new 999 IT system for Scotland’s fire service hasn’t been delivered four years into a 10 year contract. The £10million command and control software is being delivered by French firm Systel but is yet to go live, the Sunday Mail can reveal.
It is understood to include mapping and communications systems used to relay information to Scottish Fire And Rescue Service (SFRS) crews. A whistleblower said: “This is a new IT system that was to be rolled out across Scotland’s three fire control rooms but it is at serious risk due to major failings with the project.
“SFRS are now in year four of a contract due to end in 2028 with Systel. However, there is no prospect of the new 999 system going live at any of its three control rooms in the foreseeable future.”
The source claimed fire service senior management have failed to intervene to get the project back on track and demanded the Scottish Government step in. They added: “There are major concerns. The Scottish Government need to conduct an urgent inquiry as it risks public safety.”
When the Sunday Mail contacted Systel for comment the company failed to respond. Andy Watt, director of training, safety and assurance at SFRS, insisted Covid was the main reason for delays.
He said: “We have been working closely with our contractor on the installation of our new mobilising system for our three operation control centres, adapting our delivery timeline due to Covid. We plan to bring the new system online across 2023.
“However, we will not switch over to a new system until it has been fully tested. We’re working within the budget set out for this project at the outset. Key targets are built in and money is only paid to the contractor as these are reached.
“Our existing software and back-up system ensures we continue to deliver an emergency response across Scotland.”
The SFRS accepted the system was yet to go live despite being four years into the contract with Systel. Earlier this month Scotland’s top firefighter quit amid a probe into bullying claims.
Chief officer Martin Blunden resigned his £190,000-a-year role six months after going on gardening leave. Senior managers had launched an investigation after another senior figure complained about how they were treated.
It is understood other members of staff have also been questioned. Ross Haggart will continue as interim chief officer until a replacement is found.
Staffing levels with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) have slumped from 8,313, when it was split into eight regional fire sections, to 7,292 in 2020/21 after the 2013 merger to a single service. The number of frontline firefighters has dropped from 1,086 to 836.
Some 53 people died in fires in Scotland during the 2020/21 Covid pandemic year - nearly double that of the previous year. Some 44 of those were in homes. The 10-year average for fatal fire casualties is 44.
During 2020/21, the fire service dealt with 25,147 fire incidents, a rise of 2.6% on the previous year with 4,661 of those fires in the home.
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