A new state-of-the-art Critical Control Centre has been unveiled at Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety (CFRCS) Service headquarters which expands the key functions of the former fire control and provides CCTV monitoring for towns across the county.

The new centre has been unpinned by the move to an upgraded mobilising system for both North Yorkshire and Cornwall, which has resulted in a single system that provides benefits for both services. This collaboration allows business continuity and resilience for both services and forms part of the governance resilience and efficiency programme, strengthening both services' ability to respond to operational incidents, both in terms of resilience and effectiveness.

The launch is the result of a three year programme of work which combines the upgrades to the mobilising system and also the beginning of monitoring of CCTV in Cornwall. This enables key services to deliver against such priorities as a reduction in crime and ensuring further contributions to community safety, in terms of preventative proactive work, are provided. It also establishes greater links within communities and with other partners and emergency services. CCC also supports functions across the wider Cornwall Council, including out of hours highway calls.

These important areas have been underpinned by the state of the art facilities at Tolvaddon, where CCC have a purpose built, high specification communication centre, providing a range of functions that includes mobilising of resources, information gathering and sharing and coordinating activities across the wider service.

Cornwall Council cabinet member for communities, Geoff Brown, said: “I am delighted that the new Critical Control Centre is now fully operational at Fire HQ. With our expert staff, latest technology, access to CCTV and complimentary arrangements with our colleagues in North Yorkshire, we will have the most up-to-date facility in the country, able to support the community and capable of dealing with whatever emergency situations occur in Cornwall.”