Airwave launch Academy to help emergency services

16 December 2009, 12:06pm

Airwave, the UK’s leading public safety and critical communications provider, has announced the launch of Academy, a training programme for all users of the Airwave national radio communications service including the police, fire and ambulance services. Academy will benefit customers by training users in how to work more efficiently and effectively with the Airwave network service. The courses, tailored to the requirements of each individual police, fire or ambulance service, will allow customers to maximise their existing investment in the network while realising measureable operational efficiencies and improved safety for frontline users.

Academy courses will include a range of practical courses covering areas such as radio use, talk-group management and use of the handset emergency button. The Project and Programme Management module, meanwhile, will train customers on best practice for the governance of projects to meet the requirements of the Association for Project Management. Academy offers both live and online classes to suit the requirements of customers and to ensure that day to day operations are not affected. Additional sessions will provide customers with the opportunity to earn ITIL accreditations. For customers in the police force this helps them meet the NPIA’s Information Systems Strategy for the Police directive which has made ITIL required practice for all forces across the country.

Chris Tutill, head of managed services at Airwave commented: “Our courses have been designed to add value across the entire area of operations of our customers. From front-line emergency responders to IT managers and control room technicians, Academy courses will maximise the use of our powerful services to ensure that our customers are getting value for every penny invested. We are confident that any customer undergoing an Academy training programme will immediately see gains in productivity and operational performance, as well as improved end-user satisfaction with the Airwave radio services.”

Devon & Cornwall Police will be the first force in the UK to pilot an Academy programme when it launches a trial in Plymouth from 11th January 2010. The force will proceed through an initial assessment followed by online training on seven course modules including usage of direct mode, transmit inhibit and the emergency button as well as how to change talk groups. After an implementation phase, officers will be given a final assessment to measure the effectiveness of the course. The training modules are all based on scenarios relevant to Devon & Cornwall Police and will only take a total of 25 minutes to complete all seven, ensuring disruption to daily operations is kept to an absolute minimum.

Tim Bishop, Airwave development and services manager at Devon & Cornwall Police stated: "Devon and Cornwall Constabulary are excited to be working with the new Academy programmes. The policing pledge sets out the quality of service that the public can expect from us and we need key tools to meet these commitments. One of these is the proper use of the Airwave service which relies on users having the necessary knowledge of the service; its features, capabilities and benefits. Academy e-learning programmes will help us to impart that knowledge in an effective and cost-efficient way."

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