IBM to supply tech for new Emergency Services Network
A new communications system for emergency services to share more information in real-time is to be designed and built by tech firm IBM, the Home Office has announced.
The scandal-hit project to bring in the Emergency Services Network (ESN), first launched in 2015, was supposed to have replaced the ageing Airwave system for police, fire and ambulance services in England, Scotland and Wales, by 2020. But it has been beset by years of delays and costs running into billions of pounds.
It is set to support more than 300,000 emergency responders in Britain, and will allow police, fire and ambulance services to share live data and imagery, location reports and essential public safety information as they work on rescue and response incidents.
IBM to supply tech for new Emergency Services Network