The world’s first TETRA-integrated, multi-discipline emergency services joint control room.
The Isle of Man Government transformed emergency communications by creating the world’s first fully integrated, multi-agency control room built on a single TETRA network. The solution, powered by Zetron’s Cortex Integrated Communications Control System (ICCS), unites police, fire and ambulance services with other government agencies into one coordinated, mission critical operation.
Background
Located in the heart of the British Isles, the Isle of Man is a self-governing Crown dependency with a population of around 85,000, with 40,000 visitors each summer during the world famous TT racing event. The government recognised the need for greater interoperability across emergency and government agencies to ensure the safety of residents and the large influx of visitors each year.
Challenge
In 2001, the UK Government’s Invest to Save initiative encouraged collaboration between public bodies to improve efficiency and service delivery. Inspired by this, the Isle of Man Government reviewed its emergency communications infrastructure.
At the time, police, fire and ambulance operated independently on separate analogue radio systems. The lack of computer aided dispatch, integrated voice and data control, and geographic information systems made coordination across services difficult.
The government set out to replace these fragmented systems with a single communications platform capable of supporting 16 user groups, including Transport, Forestry and Utilities.
This is not a shared facility and not three services working independently, but truly joined up emergency services. We have proved it can be done and we would encourage others to do the same. – Mark Newey, Head of Communications Division, Department for Home Affairs
Solution
Working closely with the Isle of Man’s emergency services and government departments, Zetron delivered Cortex ICCS as the foundation of the new joint control room. Cortex was the first system to integrate radio dispatch, telephony, and video monitoring into one powerful platform operating over the island wide TErrestrial Trunked RAdio (TETRA) network.
This unified solution enables seamless access to voice, video, and data communications, linking directly with command and control and call handling systems. Operators benefit from automatic call prioritisation, single seat touchscreen control, and real time database access—all essential for fast, accurate decision making.
GPS enabled INCA™ tracking units installed in emergency vehicles work with Zetron’s fleet management software to provide instant location awareness. Operators can immediately identify the closest available resource and dispatch accordingly, improving both response times and efficiency.
The joint control room links 16 agencies across the island, providing clear, reliable communication through dynamic talk groups and enhanced interoperability.
Results
The impact of the unified system was immediate and measurable:
- Improved response times: Faster incident logging and dispatch through call prioritisation and location tracking
- Enhanced coordination: Seamless communication across all emergency and support agencies
- Better public service: Greater accountability and transparency through centralised operations
- Officer safety: 1,500 TETRA enabled Motorola radios now feature emergency alert buttons, enhancing field safety
Just weeks after going live, the new system successfully handled the heavy communications load of the TT race week—processing over 8,000 radio transmissions per day (up from 3,000) and 750 emergency calls.
A partnership built on trust
The Isle of Man Department of Home Affairs again partnered with Zetron to integrate Cortex with Motorola’s DCS (Generation 3) infrastructure to enhance extended interoperability and ensured the control room could evolve alongside new technologies. Using a single DCS server to support multiple TETRA clients.
Always ready for what’s next
Zetron continues to support mission critical communications across public safety, transport, and aviation sectors worldwide – helping agencies modernise their control rooms and deliver faster, more efficient responses when it matters most.
