Emergency control rooms for the police and fire service on Merseyside will soon be based in the same building.

Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Kennedy has signed a contract giving the go-ahead for a new joint Police and Fire Command and Control Centre.

It will be based at the Fire and Rescue headquarters in Bridle Road, in Bootle and will be a mix of new build and refurbishment of the current building.

The new centre is scheduled to open in spring next year. Merging the control rooms was first suggested after the two emergency services shared a control centre during the riots in August 2011.

PCC Kennedy said: "This collaboration will not only provide a more efficient service to the Merseyside community but it will also be a more cost-effective way of meeting ongoing service delivery needs in what are very challenging financial times.

"It is vital that a major contract of this type should bring benefits to the local area and we're delighted that this will be happening.

"This is another example of successful partnership working and I'm thrilled that young people in the area will be able to gain valuable experience by working on this development."

Posted 06/03/2013 by richard.hook@pavpub.com