Case Study: South Wales Fire and Rescue Service achieves faster, safer incident response with Ordnance Survey

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service - Customer Case Study

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service needed to expand the amount of relevant geographic and hazard information available to officers attending incidents. Working with Ordnance Survey — which had already deployed OS MasterMap Topography Layer to every appliance — the service aimed to integrate additional datasets (floor plans, asbestos risk, forestry track status, wildlife sensitivity, transport data and other local authority information) into its in‑cab information service so commanders could make better informed decisions on scene.

Ordnance Survey implemented an integrated mobile mapping solution combining OS MasterMap Topography Layer, OS MasterMap Integrated Transport Network Layer and raster products with supplementary data from partners such as Cardiff Council, the Countryside Council for Wales and the Forestry Commission. The system delivers increasing map detail as crews approach an incident, on‑site building plans and hazard information, which has led to faster incident resolution, reduced risk of injury to crews, improved prioritisation of actions and less damage to sensitive habitats — while PSMA-enabled data sharing has also reduced licensing administration.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Dave Bennett

Mapping Officer