by Keith Richmond
THE Fire Brigades Union has called for a complete review of a controversial IT project after the Government admitted it has hit major technical problems.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: “This project has lost all credibility. Everyone knows it’s a disaster but the Government wants to plough on regardless.
“Project turmoil has led to highly skilled staff leaving and serious damage to morale. It is highly divisive in a fire service which has built its very high public reputation on strong team working.
“Vast amounts of public money are being wasted on a project which is unnecessary, three years late, massively over budget and with no guarantee it will work as claimed. It’s another example of the Government’s appalling track record of major IT projects.”
The project, Fire Control, was estimated to cost £100 million and be operational by November 2007. It means closing all
46 emergency fire control rooms in England and using nine regional centres. Similar plans were rejected in Scotland and Wales.
The FBU says costs have now escalated to a staggering £1.5 billion – including £278 million earmarked “for an army of management consultants, PRs, change co-ordinators, project assurance and agency staff” – and the starting date put back to October 2009.
Mr Wrack said: “The Government is diverting massive amounts of public money away from front line fire services where it is desperately needed. Fire Control is unnecessary, over budget and years late.”
