Hampshire Fire Control Down Again After Major Tech Fail
Hampshire Fire and Rescue’s control room was brought to its knees by a major computer fault on Sunday afternoon, we can exclusively reveal. The crash struck just after 12.30pm, knocking the system offline and leaving operators unable to dispatch crews to emergencies.
Neighbours Called In to Handle 999 Calls
With the control room offline, emergency 999 calls and fire mobilisation had to be diverted to neighbouring Wiltshire and a backup control system, insiders say. The faulty system, provided by Capita, has a notorious track record — it has crashed five times since its introduction.
Warning Signs Ignored at Fire Authority Meetings
Concerns over the system’s reliability have been raised repeatedly at Hampshire Fire Authority meetings but were largely brushed aside. Despite some improvements, the crashes continue to threaten smooth emergency response.
Safety of Firefighters and Public at Risk
“There’s no doubt that the safety of firefighters and the public are being put at risk,” a fire source said.
Hampshire Fire & Rescue has been approached for a statement on the latest failure.
