New control centre opens for Brighton and Hove fire service 999 calls

A new control centre to handle 999 calls for Brighton and Hove’s fire stations went live yesterday (Wednesday 21 May).

The joint Sussex control centre dealt with its first Brighton emergency when a caller reported a car leaking fuel.

The centre, in Haywards Heath, serves both East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and its West Sussex counterpart. It replaces centres in Eastbourne and Chichester.

From 10am yesterday to 7.30am today (Thursday 22 May) it took 87 calls, of which 32 did not require fire crews to attend.

The assistant chief officer for East Sussex, Cheryl Rolph, said: “East and West Sussex fire and rescue services have approached a new milestone in the joint Sussex Control Centre – a project which will deliver long-term savings while continuing to meet the needs of the community.

“We would like to reassure the public that in the event of needing the fire and rescue service by dialling 999, they will receive exactly the same professional response and mobilisation of fire appliances and other resources across the whole of Sussex as they do now, with experienced staff ready to help.”

East Sussex Chief Fire Officer Des Prichard said: “Both Services will continue to provide a high performing fire and rescue service to meet the changing needs of our respective local communities.

“This is a task being delivered against a declining budget so by working closer together within our respective control functions we are able to deliver greater efficiency savings.”