Wales fire and rescue service gets a boost with launch of new digital radio system

Firelink communication systems provide two way communication between firefighters in tough situations

Digital radio system, dubbed Firelink, is designed to provide immediate two-way communication between firefighter teams.

Residents and businesses in Wales can look forward to an even better service from firefighters following the launch of a new £45 million communications system for the region's fire and rescue services.

The state-of-the-art digital radio system, dubbed Firelink, is designed to provide immediate two-way communication between firefighter teams in Wales, as well as counterparts in England and Scotland.

Crew to crew connections were not always possible under the previous system, meaning messages had to be relayed through a control room, which was not ideal for immediate UK-wide co-ordination in the event of a nationwide emergency.

"With the threat of a major emergency or large scale incident, it is essential our fire crews have the equipment they need to co-ordinate a multi-agency response," commented Wales' social justice minister Carl Sargeant.

"Since the introduction of Firelink, fire crews are better equipped to respond to day to day incidents and have the communications technology they need to deal with a major catastrophe."