Following a recent incident, we’re looking at getting a CCTV system so we can monitor the grounds from the office.
Does anyone have experience of having a system fitted? Was it fully paid for by RFCA? Did you just submit a works order or did you speak to someone first?
Thanks in advance.
We, fortunately, had a Security consultant on Squadron staff at the time. He drafted it the proposal, works statement, H&S outline, diagrams and specification and sent it all off to our RFCA. They - reluctantly - signed it off on the condition that we buy it, but use their contractor to install it. After some tooing and froing they agreed that if we buy it, we could use our staff member to install it. It was installed a few weeks later and since then we’ve had no issue with the army cadets letting down the tyres on our minibuses*.
This is an easy to install kit that can be accessed remotely by the app.
There are smaller/larger kits depending on the number/type of cameras that you want to use.
HQAC have a pot of money for things like this and If you have a good case to have one installed you can submit a request for something called a Low Value Minor New works. This means HQAC will buy a CTTV system and arrange for your RFCA to install it for you, free of charge! My unit, and many in my wing have had lots of successful projects completed through this scheme; for example I have been given a storage container, new plug sockets, a computer network, new computer workbenches and seating, a flag pole and resurfacing work done over the past few years.
It all depends how strong your case to have one installed is though, as HQAC may refuse it but it’s worth a try! It also depends on your Wing ExO. Mine is very good in this respect and will actually recommend work to be done on the annual RFCA inspection, but other Wing ExO’s tend not to use the scheme very often, if at all. It is worth sending your Wing ExO an email though to request it under the LVMNW scheme and hopefully it will be successful.
If not, as Batfink says, it is also worth looking at other options to see if you can fund it yourselves.
[quote=“MikeJenvey” post=22837]This is an easy to install kit that can be accessed remotely by the app.
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that looks like a smartphone/app friendly version of what we had installed about 10 years ago. it since failed as the pc which recorded the videos fell over but fortuantely by then a higher back fence was fitted and netting to protect the Squadron’s windows being egged/bricked
I would tread carefully with this and go through RFCA to request the install either through LVMNW or a Works Service Order request (citing the security of the compound) - there are a whole bunch of legal issues associated with installing CCTV including signage and so forth and if you don’t get it right, you can get a whole heap of trouble.
Other posters are right, there are lots of clever technical solutions which are quite low cost, but you need to get the building managers permission formally before going ahead i.e. RFCA through the Chain of Command.