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Public-Safety Communications Ofcials), and knowledge exchange for public safety communications is at the heart of BAPCO’s activities. Sue is also chair of the Telecommunications Sub-Group (TSG) for Surrey Local Resilience Forum.

“We had talked about the EUE within Surrey Police,” explained Sue, “but with my TSG hat on, we brought all the agencies together for the sessions. This meant that users from different organisations who work together could see how they could make the most of the Airwave Service as an inter-agency tool as well as within their own agencies. “The use of different sites for the sessions worked well too, as it enabled users to see how and where their colleagues worked on a day to day basis, rather than only meeting them during incidents or major events.” The Control Room in the Hindhead Tunnel proved popular, as did the Ambulance Station at Chertsey, a ‘make ready’ site where ambulances are prepared by a dedicated team of specialists who clean, restock and check the vehicles and equipment. The EUE sessions were designed to include shift workers, with drop-in sessions during evenings and weekends, as well as during ‘normal’ ofce hours.

Users sought information from the EUE team and other specialists on a range of topics, from refresher training courses for ofcers returning from a career break or from non-operational roles, to battery life expectancy. There were many questions too for the staff from Kelvin Connect, as mobile data terminals become more widely utilised by Surrey Police.

Questions that could not be answered during the sessions were taken away and responses and resolutions will be provided as an ongoing service from Airwave.

One signicant success that was catalysed by the EUE was the resolution of coverage issues within Frimley Park Hospital. Users have advised that they struggled when working at the hospital’s A & E department as Airwave coverage was not specied for in-building use. There is now a permanent gateway installed at the hospital, which should alleviate the issue.

The multi-agency involvement meant that users were able to benet from an inside view on the work of different public safety services, and discuss communications with people with different skill sets and a range of responsibilities.

The learning process is two-way, as the programme gave Airwave and Kelvin Connect a complete view of what’s happening in Surrey, how the Service is being used, and the opportunity to discuss issues rst hand with multi-agency participants. “The programme gave us good insight to some of the challenges faced by ofcers whilst carrying out their job, and just how vital it is to rely on Airwave communications being there, whenever and wherever needed – not only for Police ofcers, but also other blue-light users as well. We’ve had some really positive feedback and suggestions where further improvements can be made. Overall it was a great collaborative effort by all involved working to help our customers get the best from their communication system,” said Richard Parkinson, Airwave Service Relationship Manager for Surrey Police.

Sue Lampard sums up the benets: “With more than 300 users visiting the sessions, the EUE was a valuable exercise in engaging all agencies, and exchanging information face to face in an informal setting. I think people went away with more condence in how they use the Airwave Service, and that condence is spreading

within the agencies as the knowledge is shared between colleagues. We also had good support from senior ofcers, which encouraged attendance!

“For Surrey Police, the EUE is a key part of a wider programme of ensuring that our users are fully aware of Airwave’s capabilities, that our training is timely and comprehensive, and that we use the Service in the most cost-effective manner. We’re never going to be perfect, but we can always keep improving.”