Doors open to ess2011 at 9am tomorrow
Tuesday 22nd November - 11am
The signage is in place…
ESS sign at entrance
The Show Guide has been printed…
Show Guide
And the vehicles are in position…
Ambulance
And, after leaving Londonderry yesterday morning, the Water Cannon from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has also arrived.
PSNI 1
Water Cannon on route
So before the Visitors arrive tomorrow, all that remains is to roll out the red carpet…
red carpet
So we'd better take the wrappers off!
Don't forget - If you haven’t already, please visit this site (http://www.emergencyuk.com) on your smartphone and save the site to your homescreen – that way you can access the most up to date Exhibitor List and Conference Programme while at the show – there’s free WiFi throughout the venue.
David Holden
David Holden
Editor | Emergency Services Times
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Fans, friends, followers… lend me your eyes
Tuesday 15th November
Whether you’re a fan of Facebook, a follower of Twitter or have a longing to link in on LinkedIn, social media has made a huge impact on our lives in a very short space of time. Not long ago I remember wondering what the funny ‘www’ references were at the end of TV programmes that led you off to some ‘enhanced’ experience of Eastenders or Spooks. Now we can, and do, comment on programmes via Twitter and Facebook while they’re being broadcast – Tomorrow’s World stuff indeed.
iPad at gigTwitter can throw up some wonderful insights into the world at large, such as the image shown here from @mrdiscopop, which he took (somewhat ironically it has to be said) on his phone at the recent MTV Awards in Belfast and then tweeted to his followers with the caption, ‘And you thought people taking pictures on their phones at gigs was annoying? I present you with... iPad Man.’ Social media sites are great for this kind of tattle, shared among friends and between people that have never even met – as lots of people have said, ‘Facebook is where you lie to your friends. Twitter is where you tell the truth to complete strangers’.
One of the best uses of social media sites, I believe, is at live events, giving those attending an event a shared, inclusive experience and those who can’t attend an exclusive insight into what they’re missing. I’ll be tweeting during the build-up to ESS2011 and during the event itself (using the ess2011 hashtag), so please do join in.
This is all harmless stuff, in the right hands of course. The use of sites, such as Twitter and Facebook, by the emergency services and their personnel, however, can have far more beneficial uses, such as distributing public safety messages to large populations quickly and easily and, most importantly, at very little cost. One excellent example of this is @Norfolkfire’s testittuesday Twitter campaign to encourage the public to test their smoke alarms every week, on a Tuesday. The campaign began as a regional safety message and has since been adopted by many fire and rescue services across the UK.
The benefits of using social media sites within the emergency sector have been written about and spoken about by people far better qualified to do so than me. So we’ve decided to invite four of these very people to take part in a discussion panel during a session of this year’s Emergency Services Show Conference, entitled, ‘Effective social media for emergency services’.
Sam ThomasThe debate will feature: Eleanor Stewart, Head of Digital Engagement in the Government Digital Service, Cabinet Office; DCC Gordon Scobbie (@DCCTayside - right), Tayside Police; Murray MacGregor, Communications Director, West Midlands Ambulance; and Sam Thomas (@samontheweb & @999socialmedia - left), Communications Manager, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of excellent advice and insight for those who attend so make sure you sign up soon.
Free Conference
This year’s CPD-certified conference is a one-day event and takes place on Wednesday 23 November, the first day of the exhibition. It will be hosted in the dedicated conference centre (opposite the exhibition centre) at Stoneleigh Park and will be free of charge to attend, on a first come first served basis – pre-registration is essential.
We know that however interesting we made the conference programme, trying to justify any kind of spend to the powers that be in the current economic climate would be difficult. We therefore made the decision to make the ESS conference free to interested delegates and we certainly seem to have interested some delegates!
A choice of sessions aimed at senior management and operational emergency responders will provide delegates with the flexibility to select those sessions they wish to attend throughout the day, dipping in and out of the topics that appeal. High profile speakers taking part in the conference will cover a number of challenging subjects, such as: preparing for winter; resilience at the 2012 Olympics; confronting national security risks and challenges; and Health & Safety on the frontline. Click here for the full conference programme.
The panel discussion on social media will take place at 2.00pm during an afternoon session dedicated to the topic. Further papers on the subject follow - the first, entitled, ‘Social media - The use and abuse of social media in times of crisis’ from Freddie Heygate, a Digital Consultant from The Reading Room, will look at the role of social media during the Queensland floods, the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, and the social media responses of UK. Finally, Ben Proctor, from the Likeaword Consultancy (@likeaword), will close the afternoon session by highlighting to delegates the key to ‘Building your digital skills without losing touch with real life’. I’ll make sure I attend that one, if only to find out what ‘real life’ is – I don’t get out much and the walls of my Ivory Tower seem to be closing in.
Exhbition
The conference format will, of course, allow for plenty of time to look around the exhibition, so please make sure you visit all three halls – there’s something for everyone.
North Fire ALPSpecial mentions this time for North Fire, who will have a 32m Metz platform on display (Stand OS25) as well as the company’s Rosenbauer range of helmets and more (Stand 177, Hall 2); and UKTI DSO, whose main aim, as representatives of the UK Government, will be to advise attending UK companies on the export market. If you’re interested in growing your company overseas, visit the UKTI DSO on Stand 42 in Hall 2.
More later
Before signing off, I admit that I haven’t come good on my promise of more frequent blogging and this time I’m all out of excuses – except that I was going to hand this in last week, but my rescue dog ate it…
David Holden
David Holden
Editor | Emergency Services Times
P.S. If you haven’t already, please visit this site (http://www.emergencyuk.com) on your smartphone and save the site to your homescreen – that way you can access the most up to date Exhibitor List and Conference Programme while at the show – there’s free WiFi throughout the venue.
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Remember… Remember… 23-24 November!
Wednesday 2nd November
I’m told by readers of my previous effort that blogs should be more frequent than every two weeks and perhaps a little more sporadic than on the same time each week – cut me some slack people, I’m a busy man! I’ve just put the November issue of Emergency Services Times and the 2012 edition of the EST Who’s Who Directory to bed, which, as it happens, is ironic as bed is not somewhere I’ve spent much time myself recently (a busy workload plus two under-fives who haven’t subscribed to the clocks going back make daddy a grumpy bear). Any way, I’ll try to blog more regularly now in the run up to the show, which is now only three weeks away – that is if the Show Guide, an issue of Fire Times, two EST E-newsletters and a handful of important and not-so-important meetings don’t get in the way. Oh, and I’ve got a Best Man’s speech to write too – maybe I could just read out something I’ve already written – the complete A-Z of the 380 exhibitors at the show perhaps? Then again, perhaps not.
Vehicles focus
Speaking of exhibitors, I thought I’d take this opportunity to focus on those companies displaying vehicles at the show this year, a number of which have exciting new offerings for the emergency sector:
AnglocoThe UK’s most advanced pumping appliance sees its global launch at the show. The new demonstration vehicle, which can be seen on Stand 361 in Hall 1, is the culmination of a collaborative project between Rosenbauer and Angloco and will be touring the UK in the New Year. The 18t Scania is one of the first vehicles to be co-developed to suit the UK market’s exacting requirements and variants of this new body for other chassis are expected soon.
In another step to improving communications between emergency response services, the British Red Cross is also launching new vehicles at the show. Packed with cutting-edge communications technology, the vehicles are specially designed to enhance the charity's emergency response capability by allowing staff and volunteers to more efficiently coordinate resources on the ground, as well as maintaining communications with partner agencies. Based on a Renault van, with all network systems powered by a Honda generator, the vehicles’ key communications networks provide both online and offline capabilities. The innovative vehicles are also equipped with a range of the latest communications functions ranging from 3G connectivity and WiFi routing, mobile GSM, and Airwave terminals to complement traditional communication technology such as VHF and UHF radios. Visit the British Red Cross on Stand 404 in Hall 3 and take a look around.
WMFS ICU newWest Midlands Fire Service’s new Incident Command Unit (ICU) is based on a 16-tonne Volvo chassis and incorporates some of the most advanced incident ground technology available. The unit has been designed to cope with the increasing demands of a dynamic incident and has therefore been split into three key operational areas: a dedicated control centre, a conferencing facility and a briefing area. You can see the new vehicle’s capabilities being demonstrated in Hall 1 on Stand 386.
BMW paramedicBMW Group will be displaying a range of Authorities specification cars, motorcycles and specialist factory fitted options, including the new RESPoNSe-2.2 role-preparation package for police, fire and rescue and NHS ambulance services. In addition, new BMW models for use as emergency service vehicles are the X3 xDrive models and 5 Series Touring cars. Visit BMW Authorities on Stand 323 in Hall 1.
Vauxhall also has an extensive range of vehicles and options dedicated to meet the demands of the police, fire and rescue, ambulance and other emergency services. The company, exhibiting on Stand 278 in Hall 1, will be showcasing new initiatives and launching two exciting vehicles at this year’s event – a new Movano PSU and new Combo with a cell.
There are many more exhibitors who come under the Vehicles category, of course, including: Emergency One, JS Fraser, Primetech, VW Group, John Dennis Coachbuilders, Yamaha, Plastisol, S MacNeillie, Wilker, Scania, WAS UK and Lateral Design Concepts, to name but a dozen.
AutoSkills CentreAlso, of interest will be Gateshead College, one of the UK’s foremost Further Education colleges. The college’s AutoSkills Centre has developed specialist training that is equipping the emergency services with the skills required to deal with accident damaged or broken down electric and hybrid vehicles. Find out more on Stand 496 in Hall 3.
Free conference
Don’t forget, we’ve generously made our Conference free of charge to delegates this year. We don’t see why budget restraints should stop you from benefiting from a highly informative programme of speakers on topics such as: National Resilience, Health & Safety on the Frontline, Social Media, Emergency Preparations for Winter and the 2012 Olympics. Taking place on the first day of the show – 23 November – the new one-day format of the Conference certainly seems to be popular judging by the sign-up so far. I’d get your skates on if you don’t want to miss out.
Entrance to the show is free – to register please visit The Emergency Services Show 2011 or click on the red ‘CLICK HERE TO VISIT’ button at the top of this page.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this idle rambling, I’ll try my best to update this page more frequently from now on.
Wishing you a very safe Bonfire Night and weekend.
David Holden
David Holden
Editor | Emergency Services Times
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Doors open on equipment showcase in just five weeks!
Wednesday 19th October
The largest gathering of emergency services professionals in one place anywhere in the UK, The Emergency Services Show 2011, will open its doors at 9.00am on 23 November – exactly five weeks today. Over the coming weeks I’ll be updating this page with the latest information from the organisers with details of new exhibitors, attractions and demonstrations, plus conference agenda updates and, of course, the insider gossip on Event Director David Brown’s stress levels (recently upgraded from Moderate to Substantial).
Those of you following me on Twitter (@999editor), regular visitors to the show’s website or readers of Emergency Services Times will know that planning for an event of this size and popularity begins pretty much once the doors close on the previous year’s event. As organisers we’re focused on ensuring we attract exhibitors who bring to the show the latest equipment and services available to the emergency responders, emergency planners and emergency recovery workers of the UK, while also appreciating that those exhibitors are looking to engage with the blue light sector and their partners, to hear feedback on their products and ultimately to supply them with kit that will improve emergency response and improve the safety of the public.
This year, The Emergency Services Show will play host to over 350 exhibitors, over three halls, over 70 of which are exhibiting at the show for the first time – I’m sure they’ll have a great experience at the show and that visitors from the length and breadth of the UK will make them feel welcome.
As well as a complete A-Z of Exhibitors at the show (thanks to Xact Training and Qinetic for completing the line-up and the trickier of the 26 letters!) with new products on display, a number of equipment displays and demonstrations will be taking place – here’s just a snapshot of what to expect:
Water CannonWater cannon – A water cannon kindly supplied by The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) will be on display in the Outside Area. Visitors will be able to see first hand what this equipment is capable of and get to grips with how it functions. Throughout the course of the two days the water cannon’s capabilities will be demonstrated by PSNI who have been using water cannons in large scale public order operations for over 10 years and have found them an extremely effective tactic in allowing the service to maintain a safe operating distance from riotous crowds. The Emergency Services Show is your chance to see this public order vehicle on display in the British mainland for the very first time.
Confined space entry mobile trailer – Visitors to Stand 426 in Hall 3 can win an iPod Touch in the interactive ‘Draeger Tube’ and receive a demonstration of ‘on-site training’ in Draeger’s Confined Space Entry mobile trailer.
WMFSHazMat response – Chemical Suicides – Chemical suicides present a new threat to emergency responders. It is increasingly important that responders are able to provide initial assessment in a rapid and low-key manner to ensure early categorisation and confirmation of substance with the minimum of disruption. Visit West Midlands Fire Service on Stand E71 in Hall 3 where ACFO Dave Walton of West Midlands Fire Service, CFOA HazMat Lead, and his team will be demonstrating the service’s capabilities in this challenging area of HazMat response.
Qinetiq robotQinetiQ Robot Team – QinetiQ provides modified Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) at incidents that threaten transport infrastructure. Initially set up to respond to incidents involving gas cylinders, fire and rescue services have quickly recognised the value of deploying the team to deliver an effect on the fire ground, protect lives and the environment. QinetiQ is now looking to expand the service to deploy ROV and operators in support of agencies facing hazards that put people and infrastructure at risk. The ROVs’ capabilities will be demonstrated from Stand OS9 throughout the show.
Transformer‘Transformer’ vehicle – Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service challenged final year students at the University of Derby to create a reusable vehicle for use as an extrication training rig for firefighters. The result is a `Transformer' vehicle, a Toyota Avensis, the roof of which can be folded back or lifted off and one side of the car removed. This innovative vehicle will be on display on Stand 407 in Hall 3.
In the last week, new exhibitors to sign up include: Lintran, UKTI DSO, Lateral Design Concepts, Mountain Bike Search and Rescue, KTC Fire, Edesix, DC International, KIM Software Solutions and the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives – don’t forget to take a look at the complete Exhibitor list to read exhibitor profiles and their latest press releases.
Remember, entrance to the show is free – to register please visit The Emergency Services Show 2011 or click on the red ‘CLICK HERE TO VISIT’ button at the top of this page. And of course, feel free to invite your colleagues.
Before I forget, this year's Conference will be a one-day event on Wednesday 23 November, the first day of the exhibition. It will be free of charge to attend and the new two-stream format will provide delegates with the flexibility to select sessions they wish to attend throughout the day. These sessions are free to attend and will be on a first come first served basis - pre-registration is essential and is in addition to registration for the exhibition - so don't delay!
I hope you have a good week.
Until next time…
David Holden
David Holden
Editor | Emergency Services Times