October 2008 - Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is introducing new technology to improve services after becoming one of the first in the country to adopt a new national address database. Using specially developed software from GGP Systems, the use of the National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) will initially form the foundation for the Service's risk assessment information and will enable joined up working with partner organisations.  The NLPG will be integrated with every internal database and system enabling the Service to introduce a comprehensive, map based information management architecture.

The Mapping Services Agreement provides access for all Fire Services and Police Forces to the NLPG, in addition the database was recently chosen to underpin the new FiReControl project, a major restructuring of the existing 46 Fire and Rescue control rooms into 9 Regional Control Centres. This has influenced many Services, such as Cambridgeshire, in their selection and use of the data.

"As the NLPG is a more holistic database than those based on just postal addresses we obviously needed gazetteer management software that not only complied with the national addressing standards but offered flexibility and compatibility with existing data, software and processes," commented Nicola Smith, Business Information Manager at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service. "GGP NGz gives us the tools we need to manage the data on a day to day basis plus the support and confidence we need to roll out the database so it becomes a truly corporate resource."

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service undertake many functions beyond the provision of frontline emergency services. "In the course of daily activities we visit properties across the region," continued Smith. "We therefore not only rely on the database as an essential management tool we are also continually updating the information held within. Using GGP NGz we are moving away from being just a ‘receiver' of data and will become an active contributor to the national programme."

GGP NGz is specifically designed to manage a centralised address database; ensuring a consistent, up to date and accurate base for all property based information within an organisation. GGP NGz also manages the import and export of data between the local databases and the national hub and the complete GGP NGz product suite was one of the first software solutions to receive accreditation to the new national address standard BS7666.

GGP Systems specialise in GIS and Gazetteer Management software specifically designed for the UK public sector. The South London based company provides easy to use solutions for the creation and management of corporate property databases, the ability to add and use a spatial element to all location based information and a range of solutions to meet t-Government directives.

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