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Welcome to the ESS Blog, this is your hub for the latest news, innovations and stories from our blue light community.

Whether you're a first responder, senior officer, or simply interested in the blue light sector, we’ll bring you exclusive insights, expert opinions and behind-the-scenes coverage.

Stay tuned for updates on The Emergency Services Show and beyond.

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Reducing response times through smarter navigation and data-sharing
Getting to the scene quickly and safely is becoming harder as cities grow more complex and congested. For control rooms and responders alike, having a clear, shared picture of what’s happening in real time can make all the difference. At The Emergency Services Show, Safety Consulting & Technology (SafetyCT) shared how its integrated software tools are helping emergency services across Europe cut response times and improve coordination, from control room to crew on the ground. Real-time tools built for emergency responders For more than 25 years, SafetyCT has worked with fire, ambulance and police services to streamline operations and decision-making. Its team combines experience from software development, control room consultancy and operational service, ensuring that every system is grounded in how responders actually work. “Our tools are made to fit the way emergency services work, not to change how they do their jobs.” Onno Stumphius, Director, SafetyCT. SafetyCT’s software suite, SafetyNerve, SafetyMaps Next Gen and Dynamic Alarming, connects control rooms with the information crews need en-route and on scene. Navigation operates on a ‘no-touch’ principle: routes are projected automatically on in-vehicle screens, including emergency-only roads or bus lanes where available. Onno explains the system is designed to minimise distractions and get crews to the scene faster. Smarter use of available resources Dynamic Alarming identifies the most suitable vehicle for a job, not just those based at stations, but any units already nearby and available. “If a crew is finishing a call or training and can respond faster, the system redeploys them immediately,” explained Co-director, Dennis Coppens. “It’s about using what’s already out there, more intelligently.” He gave the example of an ambulance diverted mid-journey to a cardiac arrest, with another vehicle reassigned to the lower-priority call. Before crews arrive, SafetyMaps Next Gen provides instant access to hydrant locations, access points, building layouts and known risks. If a fire is near a care home, for example, those details help set priorities early. On arrival, incident commanders can mark hazards or safe zones directly on a live map and send updates to incoming units. “Everyone’s looking at the same information,” said Onno. “That coordination is critical in fast-moving incidents.” Future-facing design Built to run across multiple operating systems, the software integrates with both mobile tablets and built-in vehicle screens. The company is also testing hybrid mapping that combines commercial and open-source data to improve accuracy in dense city environments. And while AI features are on the horizon, Dennis stressed that the focus remains on assisting, not automating, decisions. “Technology should support experienced people, not replace them,” he said. SafetyCT is expanding its work with emergency services in Denmark, Belgium and the UK, focusing on interoperability and real-time data integration between agencies. As Onno summed up: “Saving even two or three minutes can make an enormous difference. Our job is to make that possible – safely, and without distraction.” Watch the full interview here.
Portable fire tools helping responders act fast and keep communities safe
Nearly three-quarters of UK households don’t have a fire extinguisher, leaving communities vulnerable to small fires that can quickly escalate. For emergency services, that means responding to incidents that might otherwise have been contained at source. At The Emergency Services Show, Paul Jameson, Chief Commercial Officer at LifeSafe Technologies, spoke about the role of portable extinguishers in empowering both frontline responders and the communities they serve. “Within a 25-year cycle of living in a property, every single person will have a fire at some point. It could be really small, but it could also be devastating,” he said, highlighting the importance of being prepared for incidents of any scale. LifeSafe has spent the past decade developing extinguishing solutions for modern fire risks – from kitchen fires to incidents involving lithium-ion batteries in devices such as laptops, phones and tablets. Compact and intuitive, the units are designed for rapid use under pressure, based on research into how people naturally react in stressful situations. Paul explained that the extinguisher can be operated in any direction, allowing quick deployment when seconds count. “The faster you can get a capable tool to the fire, the quicker it can be contained, reducing risk for both people and property,” he said. The session explored how these tools could be integrated into emergency response operations. Officers, paramedics and rescue personnel can carry the lightweight extinguishers in their kits, tackling small fires immediately in vehicles, workplaces or community settings before the situation escalates. Drawing on his experience in social housing, Paul also discussed community safety programmes that equip vulnerable residents with portable extinguishers. Real-world feedback shows the difference this can make: in one instance, a resident used a unit to stop an oven fire before it spread. Beyond domestic settings, LifeSafe continues to develop products to address emerging fire risks, including those linked to lithium-ion batteries and outdoor or industrial environments. These tools are intended to complement, not replace, traditional firefighting methods – giving responders more options to manage evolving hazards safely. “We’ve kept on developing,” Paul said. “We even have a product that can prevent the thermal build-up in a battery so the battery will never catch on fire.” For emergency services, the discussion reinforced that early, rapid response can prevent minor incidents from developing into major emergencies. Portable, easy-to-use extinguishers can enhance operational resilience, whether integrated into response vehicles, community programmes or workplace safety plans. Paul emphasised that the tools are designed for anyone to use: “It’s really simple, highly effective, and safe. People can pick it up and act immediately.” As fire risks evolve, practical tools that enable fast intervention remain vital. By combining public education with accessible equipment, both communities and emergency services can act quickly, reduce preventable damage and strengthen overall safety. Watch the full interview here.
Collaboration is driving the next generation of firefighter PPE
At The Emergency Services Show in September, Ballyclare’s Philip Tasker and Edward Shepherd discussed how working closely with fire and rescue services is helping to shape the next generation of firefighter PPE, ensuring it meets operational demands, supports health, and aligns with user needs.  
Why visibility and mentorship matter for the next generation of police leaders
Detective Superintendent Frankie Westoby has spent nearly 30 years in policing. Beginning as a volunteer Special Constable and now a senior leadership trainer at the College of Policing, her career reflects resilience, visibility, and the impact of embracing opportunity. As part of Emergency Services Times’ #SheServesToo campaign, Frankie’s story provides a candid look at leadership, balancing family with frontline duties, and paving the way for the next generation of women in policing.
Hands-free, connected technology could transform firefighter PPE
Gary Walsh has dedicated over 30 years to the fire service, progressing from firefighter to national leadership roles. Today, he brings that frontline insight to Dräger, focusing on how connected, hands-free equipment can reduce fatigue, enhance situational awareness, and ultimately improve crew safety. At The Emergency Services Show, Gary joined Dräger account manager Kevin Barton to explore how innovation is reshaping firefighting, from clearer communications to lighter kit, and the cultural hurdles that stand in the way of adoption.
Digital alerts could give drivers crucial seconds to prevent emergency vehicle collisions
Collisions involving UK emergency vehicles cost services an estimated £150m a year. A new partnership between HAAS Alert and Standby Group aims to reduce that risk by giving drivers crucial advance warnings of approaching emergency vehicles and roadside hazards.
Thousands of emergency services respond well to UK’s leading showcase of innovation, training and collaboration 
Thousands of emergency services respond well to UK’s leading showcase of innovation, training and collaboration  Birmingham, 26 September 2025 - The Emergency Services Show (ESS) and The Emergency Tech Show (ETS) returned to the NEC, Birmingham from 17-18 September, drawing in thousands of visitors and showcasing the latest ideas, technology and equipment designed to support the UK’s emergency services.  ESS welcomed 12,231 visitors and 563 exhibitors, while ETS brought in 7,660 visitors and 150 exhibitors. Both shows saw year-on-year growth, reinforcing their place as Europe’s leading annual event for the blue light community.  ESS once again proved to be the meeting point for the entire emergency services sector. The exhibition floor was alive with conversation as suppliers demonstrated new tools, vehicles and equipment, from next-generation PPE to ambulance fit-outs and rescue tools put to the test in live demonstrations. 
TeamPolice and Police Sport UK Bring Live Sports Demonstration to The Emergency Services Show 2025
The Emergency Services Show (ESS), co-located with The Emergency Tech Show (ETS), is teaming up with TeamPolice and Police Sport UK to debut an exciting new live sports demonstration zone at this year’s event.
Quiet Acts, Big Impact: Celebrating the Unsung Heroes of the Blue Light Community
The Emergency Services Show and The Emergency Tech Show are proud to unveil the “Unsung Heroes” campaign, a heartfelt initiative to recognise those in the emergency services who consistently go above and beyond, often without the recognition they deserve.
THE HISTORY OF THE EMERGENCY SERVICES SHOW
As the publishing team behind Emergency Services Times magazine, Editor David Holden and I devised and launched the first Emergency Services Show in October 2006, at the Royal Horticultural Halls, near Victoria, in London. At that first show, some 100 exhibitors welcomed almost 1000 visitors to this new experience.
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