Low-light cameras help stop action

In the wake of the terrorist attacks in London on 7th July 2005, the stations served by the Heathrow Express upgraded their CCTV system – to improve the quality of the CCTV footage available and also to speed up the process of providing relevant footage in the aftermath of any incident.

The technical consultancy, project management and systems integration specialist, Firstco, was given the job of carrying out the work.

First, it identified eight CCTV cameras to be upgraded. These were cameras situated at ‘pinch points’ – parts of the Heathrow Central and Terminal 4 stations that all Heathrow Express passengers have to pass by when entering or leaving the stations.

Firstco staff upgraded these cameras from Panasonic WV-CP240 cameras to Sony SSC E485P cameras. The Sony cameras provide a higher horizontal resolution and improved picture quality in low-light conditions.

“We installed the cameras and connected them to a new digital video multiplexer,” explained Bill Martin, Firstco’s managing director. “Having a dedicated recorder for the pinch point cameras enables recording at a significantly higher frame rate and higher definition, as well as making it quicker to provide visual records of everyone entering and leaving the Heathrow Express stations.

“This should make a significant contribution to helping security staff to protect the traveling public,” Martin added.

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Notes for Editors:

About Firstco

Established in 1998, Firstco is now a major force in the areas of technical consultancy, project management and systems integration. Working in a range of industries – notably transport, especially rail installations and airports; power and construction – Firstco specialises in controls and communication solutions for assignments of all sizes from buildings through to large scale infrastructure projects.

Firstco’s in-house team includes specialists in: electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, software engineering, consulting, project management and commissioning management.
Through its core services of consultancy, system delivery and project management, Firstco provides its clients with a total solution - from concept to commissioning and maintenance, based on collaboration and integration with clients and partners.

Its mission is to advise, deliver and support high quality control and communications solutions that improve transport and workplace environments, create value for clients and make a positive difference to their end users.

Firstco’s approach is based on four core values:

• Service Excellence - achieving client confidence by truly understanding the business drivers and the project requirements, delivering the agreed solution to plan, managing issues and communicating clearly and regularly - while being easy to do business with and enjoyable to work with.
• Integrity - applying professional and technical expertise to ensure the right solution for the right reasons, as well as being open, honest and fair in all of its dealings.
• Teamwork - deploying the right blend of talent and experience to get the job done, and integrating effectively with client and third party personnel and activities.
• Development - continually seeking to enhance its own capabilities and processes, enabling it to remain innovative and challenging - and sharing this with its clients.

Firstco’s clients include: BAA Heathrow Airport Ltd; Esso Petroleum; Heathrow Express Operating Company; London Underground Ltd; Standard Life Assurance; Morgan Stanley; Arup Associates; Balfour Kilpatrick; Landis & Gyr; London Electricity Services, and Transmanche Link.

Further information from:
David Blight / Rupert Exham, Firstco, 0207 034 0833; www.firstco.uk.com
Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, 01727 860405