An update from the Multi Agency Interoperability Programme (MAIP)
The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) hosts the Multi Agency Interoperability Programme (MAIP). The programme has representation from Police, Fire, Ambulance and the wider responder community. The programme is jointly funded by the NPIA, Department for Health, Department for Communities and Local Government and the Cabinet Office (CCS).
Airwave is currently available to nearly 1,000 Responder Agencies, including all Ambulance NHS Trusts, Fire and Rescue Services and Police Forces. The Ambulance NHS Trusts together with the Fire and Rescue Services and Police Forces have endorsed the “Standard Operating Procedures Guide for Multi-Agency Airwave Interoperability” as the document from which each Service will create and implement their own individual protocols and procedures for multi-agency Airwave interoperability consistent with the national standards. The documents aim to instil national consistency in order to maximise the benefits, which the investment in Airwave offers.
Success will ultimately be measured through the revision of policy, its demonstration at multi-agency exercises and overall operational usage. Implementation requires a champion from each Service, at a senior level, who has the authority to manage the change required to procedures and policies. To ensure consistency across the Services and between regions, this will be coordinated via Local Resilience Forum. Requests for the nomination of champions were requested directly from each Chief Executive, Chief Fire Officer and Chief Constable in England and Wales in a letter supported by ACEG, CFOA and ACPO. The NPIA team will then be able to provide them the support required, additionally responder workshops are being held within each Government region in July 2010.
It is important to emphasise that whilst all three Services will have anticipated the move to interoperable radio communications using Airwave and the burden should not be too onerous, the impact on each of meeting the training requirements will be different; with some more able to complete the task quicker than others. The same will be true when training and exercising are extended to include the broader Airwave user community. Thus, at the local level, collaboration is essential to make sure implementation can be achieved at a pace that is mutually acceptable to all the partners.
Click here for: STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE GUIDE ON MULTI-AGENCY AIRWAVE INTEROPERABILITY – NPIA 2010
Click here for: GUIDANCE ON MULTI-AGENCY INTEROPERABILITY – NPIA 2009
If you wish to find any other details about this programme please contact the MAIP team via email at: interoperability@npia.pnn.police.uk
