Retained firefighter solution wins major comms industry award

GlobalView Systems has won the Federation of Communication Services (FCS) 2018 Gerald David Award for Innovation in Business Radio, for its RETAIN Solution. The award was presented at the Business Radio Gala Dinner, which took place earlier this week at the Chateau Impney hotel near Droitwich following the organisation's annual conference.

RETAIN is described by the FCS as a 'notification solution' which aims to increase retained firefighter retention, while at the same time improving operational readiness. It provides a full availability schedule overview - also taking skills into account - while also providing strategic alert notification.

Speaking of the concept for the Gerald David Award, the FCS's Tim Cull said: "Professional-grade radio communications has been, is now, and always will be, needed to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of vital, mission-critical operations. But, the requirements placed on these types or radio communications are continuously increasing.

"In order to meet these increasing demands, the business radio industry has had to continuously provide new and better solutions. Innovation is seen in every aspect of the overall process, from requirement capture through arrangements for delivery, and even foreseeing future demands."

He continued: "Gerald David (OBE) proposed that it would be advantageous if a tangible benefit to innovators was available, encouraging a specific focus on innovation within the industry. The Award for Innovation in Business Radio came into being in 2004, and recognises the most innovative company in the UK within the business radio industry."

As well as GlobalView, the shortlist for this year’s award included ICOM (UK) for its LTE radio system solution, and Motorola Solutions' MOTOTRBO Link.