From key innovations to must-attend sessions and networking opportunities, IFSJ gives a rundown of what to look out for at The Emergency Services Show 2024
Meet the IFSJ team at Stand: 5/N175 and pick up your free copy of the magazine!
The UK’s leading trade event for the fire and rescue community, The Emergency Services Show, returns to the NEC Birmingham this month, running from 18-19 September 2024.
This extensive event offers fire professionals an opportunity to engage with the latest innovations and strategies shaping the fire sector.
With over 600 exhibitors and 1000 brands participating, there is a wide range of products and services on display to support the evolving demands of fire and rescue services.
Co-located with The Emergency Tech Show (ETS), now in its second year, the event will showcase new developments in firefighting equipment, PPE, and advanced control room technologies, alongside training tools such as virtual reality simulations.
Attendees can explore advancements across the fire sector, from essential equipment to IT and communications, all of which play a role in modern firefighting and emergency response.
Focus on Knowledge-Sharing and Networking
Alongside the exhibition, a diverse content programme will offer sessions addressing critical issues for the fire and rescue community.
Topics on the agenda include sustainability efforts within fire services, the latest on next-generation personal protective equipment (PPE), and approaches to professional development and leadership within the fire sector.
These discussions provide an opportunity for professionals to gain insights into the trends shaping the future of fire and rescue services, as well as the practical challenges they currently face.
Networking opportunities will be a key part of the event.
Spaces like the Networking Café and the Tech Bar at ETS will allow fire professionals to connect with industry peers, suppliers, and experts in informal settings, fostering discussions around best practices and new technologies.
Whether it’s sharing experiences or discovering potential collaborations, these spaces are designed to facilitate engagement among attendees.
Registration for the show is open and free, offering access to both The Emergency Services Show and The Emergency Tech Show.
Complimentary parking at the NEC is available throughout the event for all visitors.
For those involved in the fire and rescue sector, this event offers a comprehensive look at the current landscape and future direction of the industry.
The Emergency Services Show 2024 is set to offer a range of informative sessions on firefighter PPE, sustainability, and the development of skills and people within the fire sector.
These sessions, spread across multiple stages, provide a comprehensive look at current issues and future directions in the fire service.
From new procurement processes to advances in sustainability, this year’s show covers a broad spectrum of topics designed to equip fire professionals with the knowledge they need to navigate the challenges ahead.
Firefighter PPE Stage
The Firefighter PPE Stage will focus on upcoming procurement exercises, innovations in personal protective equipment, and contamination issues.
The opening session, led by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), will provide an overview of the upcoming PPE procurement exercise due to launch in 2025.
Speakers from various fire and rescue services will discuss the goals of this national project and share insights into the evolving needs of firefighter protection.
Following this, the implications of the Public Procurement Act 2023 will be dissected by experts who will highlight the changes affecting suppliers and public procurement activities, which will be critical for companies competing for upcoming contracts.
Several sessions will focus on contamination risks associated with firefighting.
A key discussion will centre on efforts to reduce firefighters’ exposure to harmful contaminants, featuring insights from both operational guidance and ongoing research.
The spotlight will then shift to the role of innovation in keeping PPE responsive to changing needs, with leading suppliers sharing how they integrate feedback from the frontline to continually improve equipment.
The importance of effective PPE cleaning will also be addressed, exploring current decontamination processes and the need for further research to ensure firefighter safety.
This is closely followed by a session on the hazards of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighter garments, during which panellists will explore potential alternatives to these chemicals, which have sparked concerns due to their toxic properties.
On the second day, the focus will shift to base layers and undergarments, which form the essential foundation of PPE.
Experts will discuss innovations in materials that can enhance protection while mitigating contamination risks.
The balance between protection and comfort will also be explored in a session that brings together perspectives from academia, industry, and end users.
An ongoing issue within the fire service is the difficulty women face in sourcing PPE that fits correctly.
This discussion will examine the current landscape, the challenges that persist, and the strides being made to address them.
Following this, the conversation will broaden to address the inclusivity of PPE, looking at how cultural diversity can be better accounted for in equipment design.
The final session on this stage will involve an exploration of the cost and time associated with evaluating new PPE, questioning how representative testing groups can be and how best to manage these evaluations to benefit the entire workforce.
Sustainability Stage
The Sustainability Stage at the 2024 show will delve into how the fire and rescue services are addressing environmental challenges and working towards sustainability goals.
One key session will focus on the fire risks posed by lithium-ion batteries, which are becoming more common in an increasingly green world.
Experts will update the audience on the dangers these batteries pose to firefighters and share strategies for mitigating the risks.
Another session will highlight Horsham Fire Station and Training Centre, a green building project in West Sussex.
The station features several sustainability initiatives, such as solar panels and electric vehicle charging points, as well as zoning practices that limit contamination risks for firefighters.
Attendees will learn how sustainability was integrated into every aspect of the building’s design and operation.
Day two on this stage will cover the broader issue of how fire and rescue services can achieve net-zero carbon emissions.
The NFCC’s work on providing evidence-based tools to support sustainable practices across prevention, protection, and response services will be discussed, giving insight into the sector’s sustainability journey.
The final session on this stage will focus on the increasing frequency of wildfires and the need for a collaborative approach to mitigating these events.
While fire services often lead the response to wildfires, experts will argue that the problem is far-reaching and requires involvement from multiple agencies and sectors.
People & Skills Stage
The People & Skills Stage will offer insights into the development and retention of talent within the fire service, as well as the evolving role of the fire service in community care.
A session on apprenticeships will explore the long-term benefits of these schemes beyond the completion of end-point assessments, discussing how both apprentices and organizations continue to benefit from the experience.
This will be followed by a unique session featuring with The Antarctic Fire Angels who completed a remarkable 53-day trek to the Antarctic.
The duo will share their story, offering inspiration and insight into the resilience and determination required to succeed in extreme environments.
On day two, the discussion will turn to integrating volunteers into emergency services.
Representatives from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service will present creative strategies for engaging volunteers and building stronger community ties.
This will be followed by a session on creating a culture of wellbeing within emergency services, with a focus on how managers can effectively support their teams’ mental health and address issues such as stress and burnout.
The final two sessions will cover trauma risk management (TRiM) and the evolving role of fire services in a multi-agency approach to dealing with burns casualties.
TRiM, a peer-led program, helps break down barriers to mental health support, and experts will discuss how best to implement this approach within emergency services.
In the closing session, fire services from Kent and London Gatwick will share their experiences of working with other agencies to improve outcomes for burns victims, offering a valuable case study in collaboration and expanded service delivery.
Meet the IFSJ Team
The Emergency Services Show is great opportunity to meet with the International Fire and Safety Journal team in person, discuss the latest trends in the fire and rescue sector, and grab a free copy of our magazine.
We’ll be located at Stand: 5/N175 and would love to connect with you.
Whether you want to explore industry insights or simply say hello, we look forward to seeing you there.
This article was originally published in the September 2024 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.