Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MF&RS), responsible for all 999 fire calls in Merseyside, employs more than 1,000 people in operational and non-operational roles, has 26 Community Fire Stations and the River Mersey Community Fire and Rescue Station. Telent have provided a service wide managed implementation and support of the ICT infrastructure since 2001.
As part of this longstanding partnership, Telent were delighted to donate £40,000 towards the ongoing support of the MF&RS Heritage and Education Centre based at Bridle Road.
The Heritage and Education Centre was founded to preserve the heritage of the Fire Service, initially as the Merseyside Fire Museum in 1973. In 2011, the MF&RS Heritage and Education Centre was set up as a charitable trust and now holds the largest archive of any Fire and Rescue Service in the UK with over 80,000 photographs and records digitised and a large display of equipment and vehicles.
The Centre is staffed entirely by 22 volunteers, including founder member, Danny Murphy who has received a British Empire Medal for his service to the community. As well as maintaining the collection, these volunteers host thousands of visitors each year including schools and community groups who book tours at the site and take vintage appliances out to community and charitable events.
Chris Metcalfe, Managing Director, Technology Solutions at Telent said, ‘As a technology service provider, we are always looking forward so it’s great to be able to support the Heritage Centre in the educational work they do for the Merseyside communities’.
‘Merseyside has a 180-year proud tradition of firefighting and has often been at the forefront of innovation and new technology during that time’ Ed Franklin, Head of Technology at MF&RS said. ‘This significant donation strengthens our ability to preserve our heritage and to continue to engage with our local community to promote Fire Safety’.
Groups wishing to visit the MF&RS Heritage and Education Centre should make an appointment by calling 0151 296 4640.