Why Fire Services Must Rethink Information Access at Incidents
Fire and Rescue Services are rethinking how critical information is accessed at incidents. While MDTs remain central in the cab, crews need real-time intelligence on the ground. A two-layer approach is emerging to ensure safer, faster decisions where it matters most.
written by: Will Holmes, Business Manager (Public Sector), Panasonic TOUGHBOOK
Across the UK, Fire and Rescue Services are undergoing one of the most significant operational shifts. For years, in-vehicle laptops and tablets have provided real-time updates from control rooms, mobilising fire services to the scene of an incident with as much information as possible. That role is not disappearing. If anything, it is becoming more important.
But the reality on the ground has changed. Once crews step out of the vehicle, they are dealing with unfamiliar buildings, unpredictable hazards, and rapidly evolving risks. This is where instant access to information is critical. And increasingly, services are recognising that this cannot be delivered through a single, fixed device in the cab.
This is why fire services are moving toward a two‑layer information model using demountable Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs). Normally sitting in the rear of the cab, this delivers real‑time intelligence into the hands of emergency services at an incident. This shift is being driven by National Operational Guidance, and post‑incident learning that highlights information gaps, by the realities of multi‑agency working, and by the expectations of crews who are used to using fast, intuitive digital tools.
The Need for a Second Demountable Layer
Crews often need Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) guidance at an incident, to understand what hazardous substances they may be exposed to, the risks they pose, and how to handle them safely. This also includes information about building layouts, vehicle construction details, or other local risk data while they are away from the appliance. Trying to force all of this through a single fixed device risks slowing down decision‑making at precisely the wrong moment.
A demountable MDT with superfast 4/5G connectivity – or connected to in-vehicle routers via Wi-Fi – changes this dynamic. It brings intelligence to the point of risk and delivers the required information that crews need to understand exactly what they are facing, whilst allowing them to input vital data at an incident. When working with other agencies, this data can serve as a shared reference point. This enables teams to quickly align, reduce confusion, and brief other entities, such as hospitals.
Why improvised solutions are no longer enough
Some fire services may be tempted to bridge this gap with consumer‑grade devices. On paper, these can look cost‑effective. In practice, they introduce new risks.
Devices that are not fit-for-purpose, and which do not have the required service and support, can quickly become misplaced, damaged, or destroyed through exposure to heat, water, chemicals and excessive vibrations. This necessitates replacement devices, causing additional operational and financial headaches.
Security is another pressure point. Emergency services need authentication that works for shared‑user environments, not consumer logins. They need remote lock and wipe, endpoint protection, and connectivity that remains stable where coverage is otherwise patchy. When these aspects are missing or overly complex, this significantly hinders efficiency and productivity before, during, and after an incident.
Designing the demountable layer properly
An MDT is not just a tablet in a cradle. It is an operational tool that must be rugged enough to be used at incidents, secure enough to protect sensitive information, and have dependable connectivity at all times. It also needs to be supported by proactive lifecycle management so that battery health, connectivity performance, and device stability are monitored long before they become operational problems.
These scoping decisions cannot be made in isolation. They require collaboration between operational leaders, digital teams, and fleet managers. Mounting, charging, connectivity, security, and lifecycle planning all have direct implications for safety, liability, and long‑term resilience.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) deploys a TOUGHBOOK MDT device in both the front and rear of the cab, the latter serving as demountable device for use at an incident. It is supported by assured connectivity tooling, resilient security controls for devices used beyond the vehicle, and proactive support as part of Panasonic TOUGHBOOK Smart Services.
This allows DWFRS to proactively monitor connectivity, battery life, network performance, and application usage, enabling them to diagnose and triage any potential issues before they appear. It also ensures they maximise return on investment and lowers total cost of ownership.
Choosing the right tools for the job
Different services will take different approaches, but the principle remains the same: start with real operational workflows and validate them in real operational conditions. Our partners at SCC, for example, deploy a combination of TOUGHBOOK 33s and TOUGHBOOK G2s depending on the environment and the role.
Both the TOUGHBOOK 33 and TOUGHBOOK G2 are perfectly suited for fire services. They provide the portability, ruggedness, and agility that fire services users require on the ground at incidents. Both can operate as fixed MDTs or demountable devices, giving services the flexibility to design solutions around their own operational models.
A strategic decision for senior leaders
For senior leaders, the decision to adopt a layered information model is not a procurement choice, it is a strategic one. It shapes how information flows at incidents, how safely crews can operate, and how well services align with National Operational Guidance.
Fire and Rescue Services are moving toward a two-layer model where critical information is available not just in the cab, but at the point of risk, where decisions are made, where hazards are assessed, and where lives are protected. A layered MDT‑plus‑demountable approach provides the ruggedness, reliability, security, and usability required for modern operations.
When designed well, it enables services to evolve from cab‑based data access to a fully aligned, intelligence‑driven operating model. This gives crews what they have always needed: the right information, in the right place, at the right time.
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