i Cover_REACH6.indd - page 29

Reach Issue 6 2014 | 27
I n the last edition of Reach, we
reported on how, following
successful trials, Cheshire
Constabulary had increased the
force-wide use of the Short Data
Service (SDS) enabled by their
Airwave Service. Implementing
greater use of SDS was aimed at
reducing air time use and freeing up
space on talkgroups; reducing costs
associated with minutes of use,
and allowing ofcers to book on/off
Command & Control via their Airwave
terminal, giving greater visibility of
staff available for deployment.
Training plays a big part in the
successful introduction of any new
way of working, and the responsibility
for this lies with three force Airwave
custodians: Jonathan Ford, responsible
for Western Area, Nigel Woodward,
who looks after Eastern Area, Steven
Derbyshire, in charge of Northern Area,
and Administrator John D’Aubray-
Butler, based at the Constabulary
headquarters. and responsible for all
Airwave users across the force.
The custodians invited the Airwave
End User Engagement (EUE) team to
attend each Area once the trials had
started. These training sessions were
organised by the custodians, and
provided the four with the chance
to meet as many Airwave users as
possible, and to have face-to-face
discussions about any areas of
uncertainty. The feedback could
then be discussed with the Airwave
EUE team. The sessions also helped
to ensure that the users were aware
of the custodians, their roles, and
points of contact.
There have been two sets of EUE
sessions organised for Cheshire
Constabulary – the †rst attracted
more than 600 users. The second set
was aimed at capturing those of†cers
who were not able to attend the
earlier programme.
“The sessions were held at 14
stations – we planned the locations
to minimise the disruption to of†cers
so the main stations were the hosts,
with of†cers visiting from the smaller
stations,” said Jonathan Ford. “The
sessions were widely advertised,
with posters and emails, and an
open invitation for any of our Airwave
users to attend.”
“We wanted to raise awareness of
the Airwave team, put faces to names,
and as well as the training, take the
opportunity to dispel a few myths and
bridge the gap between theory and
practice,” said Steve Derbyshire.
“We have had very positive
feedback – our of†cers appreciated
the opportunity to learn, and the
takeaway summary instruction
‘z-cards’ were effective and popular –
as were the doughnuts!”
“The custodians did a great job
organising the sessions so we could
spend all our time working with the
users,” said Sharon Blount, Airwave’s
Service Relationship Manager for
Cheshire Constabulary. “It was a
high pro†le programme, with users
encouraged to become fully involved.
“Knowing the areas of weakness in
the users’ knowledge, the custodians
put together question sheets in
advance of the sessions to ensure
these were addressed. Careful planning
ensured there was no repetition, and
there were clear aims in terms of
the training. The presence of a radio
planner was really useful as it enabled
us to respond to users’ questions
about coverage immediately.”
John D’Aubray-Butler concludes:
“The sessions make us more visible
and more accessible – we’re here to
make our of†cers’ lives easier. We
would like to be able to run the EUE
programme on a regular basis, and this
is now under review. Our next sessions
will be aimed at pool users and Special
Constables – that will be a challenge as
the majority work out of hours and at
weekends, so we’re looking at ways of
ensuring they can bene†t.”
Bridging the gap between
theory and practice
We have had very positive feedback – our ofcers
appreciated the opportunity to learn, and the
takeaway summary instruction ‘z-cards’
were effective and popular
Airwave custodian Steven Derbyshire, Cheshire Constabulary
A limited number of printed copies of
Reach are available – please let us know
(reach@airwavesolutions.co.uk)if you would
like extra copies.
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