EAST Sussex Fire Authority is to hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss multi-million pound plans to outsource its control room to Surrey.

On Friday, ESFA members are to decide whether to pursue plans to outsource its emergency control room and mobilising system to Surrey Fire and Rescue Service.

The proposal would be expected to cost the fire authority more than £11 million but would lead to “immediate operational benefits” as a result of sharing resources between fire services. 

In a report to be considered by the fire authority at the meeting, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service’s (ESFRS) Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mark O’Brien said: “Sharing a control or mobilising systems makes sharing resources easier, as all information flows through the control room which sits at the heart of the organisation.

“Any time or cost risks associated with the preferred option need to be considered alongside the operational, industrial relations and people impacts of the alternative options. 

“When the clear operational effectiveness differences are then laid on top, it is the view of officers that there are significantly greater operational advantages and future opportunity with Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) than the other options under consideration.”

East and West Sussex have operated a joint control centre at Haywards Heath but there were significant delays in putting both on to one mobilisation and communications system.

The system eventually went live in East Sussex in March but encountered initial problems.

West Sussex County Council called for a full due diligence exercise “on the IT integrity and operational efficacy” of the system.