23-24 September 2015, NEC, Birmingham
See the latest firefighting technology and hear examples of successful multi-agency working from forward-thinking fire and rescue services by visiting The Emergency Services Show this year. Taking place at the NEC in Birmingham on 23rd and 24th September, this free event has attracted over 400 exhibiting companies and will feature three seminar programmes covering training, innovation and collaboration.
Free Seminars
In the Innovation Theatre delegates can hear how West Midlands Fire Service has employed technological advancements such as drones and body worn video. Smarter communications and the potential of digital technology will be a common theme on the programme which features speakers from the Home Office Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme and The Institution of Engineering & Technology.
The expansion of fire and rescue services into social care and the need for multi-agency interoperable firefighters is also high on the agenda. Dr Claire Mansfield, Head of Research, New Local Government Network will outline recent research examining the future of bluelight services co-responding and where this does – and doesn’t – work. Steve Pratten, Community Response Manager, East Midlands Ambulance Services will share details of a joint ambulance conveyance project with Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Service, and members of the West Midlands Fire Service Research and Development team will discuss the future of multi-agency emergency response.
Meanwhile in the Collaboration Theatre, interoperability will be explored in depth through a two-day seminar programme organised with the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JESIP) and the Emergency Services Collaboration Working Group (ESCWG). The H3 Project in Hampshire and Community Risk Intervention Teams are among the initiatives which will be shared.
Key session in the Training Theatre include an overview of the multi agency response to the Alton Towers incident, presented by key personnel from Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service, and a presentation on collaborative training given by Rob MacFarlane, Assistant Director (UK Resilience Doctrine and Training), Civil Contingencies Secretariat, Cabinet Office.
Focus on Vital Role of Voluntary Sector
In an era of austerity cuts there has never been more reason to increase the dialogue and co-operation between the emergency services and the voluntary sector. The RSPCA for example has capabilities in rope, boat and water rescue, while Leicestershire & Rutland 4 x 4 Response can provide assistance to the emergency services and community in times of severe weather or disaster. Both organisations will be exhibiting in the Emergency Response Zone alongside 80 other organisations who could support you in preparing for and responding to future incidents.
Other stands of interest include the charity Mind (which has launched a Blue Light Programme to provide mental health support for emergency services personnel), Road Safety GB Academy and Arson Prevention Forum.
The Voluntary Sector Civil Protection Forum will be running “speed training” sessions for fire and rescue personnel to meet local voluntary sector representatives. Organisations taking part include British Red Cross, Cruse Bereavement Care, Radio Amateurs Emergency Network (RAYNET), St John Ambulance, Salvation Army and Victim Support.
Update Your Skills
The Royal Life Saving Society will be holding a Throwline Challenge and a team of experienced firefighters will be demonstrating Safe Working at Height and rope rescue techniques on the Crofton Engineering stand. Visitors can also speak to training providers such as Fire Service College, The Fire Training Group, Emergency Planning College, CFB Risk Management, Training 4 Resilience, Ferno, Cardiff International White Water and Red One about the specialist courses they offer.
Elsewhere on the show floor, the College of Paramedics will again be running a series of free Continual Professional Development (CPD) sessions covering trauma, wound care, basic and advanced airway management.
Source New and Innovative Equipment
Featuring over 400 companies and organisations, the impressive indoor and outdoor exhibition is a one-stop shop for sourcing all the latest services and equipment required for fighting fires and keep the public safe from threats such as floods, road traffic accidents and terrorist attacks. Exhibiting companies include leading names in firefighting equipment, search and rescue, extrication, communications, IT, protective clothing and uniforms, outsourcing, training, medical, community safety, station facilities, water rescue and vehicles.
Visitors with an interest in vehicles will find leading names such as Rosenbauer and Volvo Trucks, as well as Incident Command Units and welfare units, all types of in and on-vehicle ancillary equipment, including communications and IT, from providers like Primetech and Excelerate Technology. Exhibiting for the first time is NLG Wholesale, Europe’s leading supplier of 4 X 4 accessories.
Other new exhibitors include Halo Thermal Imaging, International Safety Products and respiratory experts Sundström Safety.
Getting There
The NEC is physically linked to Birmingham International Station and is directly accessible from the UK motorway network. Parking is free of charge and shuttle buses will run from the car parks to the exhibition halls.
To register for free entry visit www.emergencyuk.com
