NEC Birmingham, 18-19 September 2024 – This year’s Emergency Services Show and Emergency Tech Show have once again proven their status as Europe’s premier events for emergency response professionals, drawing record-breaking crowds and showcasing groundbreaking innovations. Held at the NEC Birmingham, the two-day event saw over 12,000 visitors from police, fire and rescue, ambulance, search and rescue, and voluntary services eager to explore the latest advancements in technology and solutions that are transforming the sector.

In a notable boost, the Emergency Tech Show saw a 19% increase in attendance, attracting over 7,350 visitors looking for cutting-edge digital solutions to enhance efficiency and modernise operations in their organisations.

The event offered a comprehensive lineup of 133 speakers across 9 content stages, including the debut of three new stages: the Sustainability Stage (sponsored by YPO), the People and Skills Stage (sponsored by Coventry University Simulation Centre), and the Firefighter PPE Stage (sponsored by Enduro Protect in partnership with the National Fire Chiefs Council). Across 55 sessions, visitors had access to invaluable insights on the future of emergency services, with the theatres packed throughout the two days with hosts and speakers including Rich Preston Anchor and BBC presenter, Alfie Moore, comedian and former police officer, bringing his unique perspective on the profession, Mobeen Azhar, award-winning journalist, tackling critical issues in the field, Rob Simpson, Rural Crime Team Supervisor, sharing frontline experiences, Bex Openshaw-Rowe, firefighter and Arctic Fire Angel and Steve Whittle, founder of Tough to Talk, addressing mental health challenges

The show floor buzzed with excitement, featuring exclusive product launches from leading suppliers and innovators. This year saw the launch of the Innovation Awards, recognising the sector’s most groundbreaking solutions. Dräger took home the top prize for its UCF FireCor* system—a revolutionary hands-free thermal imaging camera that integrates directly into the Dräger FPS 7000 full-face mask, providing first responders with continuous, live thermal imaging in dangerous, low-visibility environments.

The Innovation Awards were judged by an esteemed panel of industry experts, including members of the show’s Advisory Council, and the competition was fierce, with many impressive entries vying for the top spot.

With the overwhelming success of this year’s event, attention has already turned to next year, as The Emergency Services Show and Emergency Tech Show prepare to return to the NEC Birmingham on 17-18 September 2025. The 2024 event set a new benchmark for innovation and collaboration, ensuring that the next edition will be a must-attend for anyone involved in emergency services.