Case Study: West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service achieves more effective emergency response with Capita VisionDS

We’re helping neighbouring fire services to work together to ensure people get the emergency help they need as quickly as possible

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service faced growing funding pressure and the challenge of running an expensive 999 control room while needing to improve emergency response and collaborate more closely with neighbouring services. Capita supported the service as part of a wider joint initiative with Surrey, using its VisionDS command, control and communications platform to help combine operations and share resources more effectively.

Capita implemented VisionDS and transferred West Sussex’s operational data from its legacy system onto Surrey’s existing platform in less than six months, delivering the project on time and to budget. The new combined control room, launched in December 2019, lets operators dispatch the nearest and most appropriate appliance, reduces radio traffic and operator workload, and improves resilience and service levels while delivering efficiency savings.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service

Sabrina Cohen-Hatton

Chief Fire Officer