Thursday 4 May 2006 - 11.00hrs
Bristol residents will be the first in the South West to
experience an exciting new community project.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service has formed a partnership with
several local organisations to announce the launch of Community TV
(CTV) at 10 venues across south Bristol next week. Chair of Avon
Fire Authority Terry Walker will be present on Wednesday 10 May at
The Park in West Knowle to officially unveil the scheme which will
be used to deliver important messages from a number of partner
agencies.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service is leading the project in Bristol,
in a partnership with Avon & Somerset Constabulary, Bristol
City Council and Safer Bristol. The agencies have jointly funded
the project, which has also been given a grant by the Government
Office South West, which covered the cost of half the screens.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service Deputy Chief Officer Jerry
O'Brien said: "Community television is a fantastic project and
provides an opportunity to get important messages across to those
we serve. Because the films are tailored to our requirements, it
means we can target specific audiences and change the messages
regularly. The visual presentation means we can get hard-hitting
messages across in a format which allows them to be understood by
everyone. We are really looking forward to the launch and are very
excited to see this project go live across Bristol."
Community Communication Network Limited (CCN) will deliver the
television network. Initially 10 large plasma screens have been
installed in venues across the south of the city in locations such
as doctors' surgeries, libraries and community centres. These will
broadcast local information, national news, weather and sport,
emergency messages and crime reduction initiatives, as well as a
variety of short films and messages from the partner agencies,
including driving safely, anti-arson, making neighbourhoods cleaner
and safer, and reducing crime.
Avon and Somerset Constabulary Deputy Chief Constable Steve
Otter said: "Avon and Somerset Constabulary is pleased to be a part
of Community TV in Bristol, as it is directly communicating with
the public, getting our messages across and hopefully improving the
communication back to us about what issues concern the people who
live in our city."
The messages on the screens will be updated at regular intervals.
The screens can also be used to broadcast public safety messages in
the event of major incidents such as a terrorist attack. The system
is powered by BT and the telecoms company is also sponsoring the
launch.
Ian Rose, Chief Executive of CCN, said: "We are delighted to
install our first network within Bristol and are pleased that Avon
Fire & Rescue Service and the other parties involved have
engaged on this project with us."