Frequentis supports UK Home Office and Emergency Services Frequentis will work with the Home Office to ensure that Frequentis control room operators have access to a fully approved and easy to use interface into the new Emergency Services Network (ESN) for all their mission-critical communications. ESN will replace the current Airwave service used by the emergency services in Great Britain, enhancing mission critical voice and data services and providing a genuine multi-media platform. The Frequentis multimedia communications platform, 3020 LifeX, is already being implemented for a number of police and emergency services organisations across the country and will be compatible with ESN when available. The Frequentis LifeX solution has been designed to allow emergency services operators to maximise the benefits of multimedia communications, not only to an officer, but it will also allow members of the public to share images and videos of incidents and to be analysed in real-time, when next generation 999 (NG999) becomes a standard. The Frequentis development approach with the Home Office recognises and understands the importance of mission-critical data services delivered daily to the police, fire and ambulance customers in Great Britain. This sets a balance between the need for transition to the new network as soon as possible versus the need for testing the immediate reliability expected by users. With this approach, reliability as well as functionality can be delivered in a practical and realistic timescale in 2021. “Frequentis understands the needs of its emergency services customers and is delighted to have agreed a solution with the Home Office that will enable our customers to realise the operational and business benefits offered by the ESN as soon as it is practical. Our wealth of experience and knowhow when it comes to delivering mission-critical technology and software globally will ensure delivery of a solution that meets customer and user expectations.”, says Andrew Madge, Managing Director Frequentis UK. For more information, please visit www.frequentis.com

Capita wins Home Office contract to support migration to new ESN The Capita Software division has been awarded a contract by the Home Office to develop a solution to migrate the current Airwave system to the Emergency Services Network (ESN), a new critical communications system to be used by emergency services in the UK. ESN is a cross-government programme, being led by the Home Office, to transform emergency services’ mobile working, especially in remote locations and at times of network congestion. The new network will benefit police, fire and rescue, ambulance services, and a range of other users including first responders such as inshore rescue. The contract includes creating and delivering a new solution that will interface with Airwave but at the same time, be compliant with ESN. This will enable emergency services to use both Airwave and ESN in tandem during the transition. ESN will provide a ‘higher’ bandwidth that enables emergency services to make more use of data services enabling ‘live’ searches and updates of local and national databases including crime scene images. The network will also enhance secure voice channels for operational purposes and multi-agency collaboration. Paul Eggleton, managing editor of Capita’s Secure Solutions and Services, said: “This is a crucial development project that will form part of the migration process, we have worked closely with the Home Office and Emergency Services Network team and look forward to supporting our pilot clients in the next phase of the programme. “Capita is the leading provider of communication platforms to the UK emergency services and our digital innovation will enable our customers to respond quickly and effectively to incidents.” Capita has been delivering integrated and advanced systems to emergency services for over 30 years. Capita’s solutions are used in over 100 control rooms including police, fire and rescue, ambulance trusts, HM Coastguard, Highways England, British Transport Police and Ministry of Defence Police. For more information please visit: www.capita.com

Appointment of New Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Derbyshire Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Authority is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO) for Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service. Rick Roberts, who has been Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer since September 2019, was appointed yesterday (8 March) by the Fire Authority Brigade Managers’ Appointments Panel, supported by Derbyshire’s Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive, Gavin Tomlinson and Deputy Chief Constable, Rachel Swann, following a robust selection process. The married father of two from Buxton, began his fire service career at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service in 1994 before transferring to Derbyshire in 1999. Rick has served in many roles across the Service including operational station command, executive support and learning and development.  As an Area Manager, Rick was the Service lead for all collaborative projects. Councillor Kevin Buttery, the Chair of the Fire and Rescue Authority said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Rick Roberts as the new Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service. “Rick, who has been a longstanding valued member of the Service’s strategic leadership team, brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and skill that will ensure the Service continues to improve, whilst remaining a high achieving fire and rescue service, delivering first class efficient and effective services to the communities of Derbyshire.” Speaking following his appointment Rick said: “It is a privilege to have been appointed as the Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Derbyshire. I am really looking forward to continuing to help lead the development of the Service, working with our dedicated staff and partners, all working to Make Derbyshire Safer Together.” Rick will take up the position with immediate effect. The DCFO vacancy was created in August 2019 following the successful promotion of Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Gavin Tomlinson from Deputy Chief Fire Officer. For more information please visit: www.derbys-fire.gov.uk

FDIC International postponed until further notice following COVID-19 pandemic FDIC International will be postponed until further notice after the event organisers temporarily pulled the plug following the COVID-19 pandemic. The event, which takes place in Indiana, is arguably the leading fire exhibition in America and the 2019 event attracted in the region of 35,000 people. However, following the news that COVID-19 has now been declared as a pandemic, the event is being postponed for the foreseeable future, though the organisers are trying to find an alternative date later this year. “In light of the recent activities around COVID-19, we are continuing to prioritise the safety and health of our attendees, exhibitors, customers and staff above all else,” the statement read. “We are postponing FDIC International and are in conversations with the Indiana Convention Center and Convention & Visitors Bureau for new dates and we ask that you bear with us as we evaluate all opportunities. “We are in communication with the local and state authorities to ensure we are following all guidelines for the event. I know, that we are certainly not alone as many of you are also facing difficult situations in the communities you live in and serve. “In the following days we will have more information to share with you and will reach out to you at that time. As always, I appreciate your support of FDIC.  If you have any questions or concerns now, please do talk to a member of our team.”  

Global Emergency Products acquired and now operating as MacQueen Emergency Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, have announced that Global Emergency Products, dealer for Illinois and Indiana, was acquired by MacQueen Emergency. The acquisition is comprised of territories and all facilities, including dealership and service locations. MacQueen Emergency, a customer-focused provider of the highest quality emergency products, will begin offering expanded services to Illinois and Indiana while continuing to service its existing regions of Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. “In recent months, we’ve integrated the experienced Global Emergency Products’ team with  MacQueen Emergency’s customer-focused philosophies,” said Dan Gage, president and CEO of MacQueen Emergency. “We will keep a heightened focus on emergency equipment and expanding service offerings that help make an impact on the critical work firefighters do each day.” As MacQueen Emergency’s territory now includes Illinois and Indiana, expanded sales and service initiatives have begun including: Recruitment of several service technicians in each location with training and certification opportunities Additional mobile service units to aid service accessibility for rural customers Southern Illinois customers gain access to a convenient service location in Eureka, MO Expanded parts inventory in all locations MacQueen Emergency is known for its large-scale parts inventory, operator support, and multi-state service network. The acquisition and expansion place an even greater focus on parts, service, and emergency equipment throughout the dealer’s seven-state region. “Over the last 41 years, the Global Emergency Products team built a brand that was highly recognized for their commitment and dedication to serving fire departments,” said Jim Johnson, president of Pierce Manufacturing. “Now operating as MacQueen Emergency, I know the synergy among the collaborative team will continue to increase and enhance the service and sales support for our customers.” With the acquisition of Global Emergency Products, MacQueen Group has also absorbed Temco Machinery Inc., which makes MacQueen the Oshkosh Airport Products dealer in Indiana, Illinois and northern Kentucky.

ResponderSafety.Com is pleased to release 10 Roadway Response Safety Shorts videos that demonstrate critical actions to take at every scene to improve the safety of your roadway operations. The videos are applicable to firefighters, rescue, fire police, law enforcement, EMTs, safety service patrols, special traffic units and towing and recovery organisations. There are 10 videos in all, with one video designed for use in public education to teach motorists how to safely pass an emergency incident on the roadway. “We heard from our audience that there is a critical need for concise, impactful demonstrations of the key safety practices we’ve been preaching for a long time,” said Steve Austin, Project Manager for ResponderSafety.com. “These videos respond to that need by putting the training in the hands of everybody who wants it in a format that can literally be shown anywhere. “We all have five minutes in our day that we can devote to safety — watch them at shift change, over coffee, at the top of your regular training rotation, whenever. You don’t need a special session or large block of time.” Developed by The Emergency Responder Safety Institute, a Committee of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association, the short videos are perfect to show at roll call or shift changes, integrate into training rotations or safety breaks, and share within the department and on social media. In five minutes or less, these videos reinforce how to execute an important roadway safety procedure, such as positioning a blocking vehicle, setting a cone taper, passing through the zero buffer area, or demobilising a traffic incident management area. They also go hand-in-hand with ResponderSafety.com’s Roadway Safety Teaching Topic Packages for Instructors, demonstrating many of the procedures in those lesson plans. You can access and download these Roadway Response Safety Shorts right now.

IFSEC 2020 – including FIREX – postponed until 8-10 September IFSEC 2020 and its co-located events – including FIREX – which were originally scheduled to be staged in May 2020, will now be held at ExCeL London on 8–10 September 2020. This rescheduling covers the following events: IFSEC International FIREX International Safety & Health Expo Facilities Show Intelligent Building Europe Workplace Wellbeing Show Counter Terror Expo, Ambition, Forensics Expo Europe, and World Counter Terror Congress (organised by Clarion) This decision has been made as a result of consultation with exhibitors and other stakeholders to determine the best outcome for all. We believe strongly that this new date benefits all our events and provides the best possible platform for both exhibitors and visitors to do business. All exhibition bookings and visitor pre-registrations for these events will be transferred automatically to the new dates and there will be further communication to these groups over the coming days and weeks. Our aim is to facilitate a smooth transition to the new dates for all parties. Chris Edwards, Group Director, Informa Markets said: “We have been closely following developments since COVID–19 began spreading, and we have consistently been mindful of its potential impact on global events like ours. By working closely with our venue partners ExCeL we have now been able to secure rescheduled dates for these events, which will now serve as an opportunity for our clients and exhibitors to regather in September —it gives the market time to recover as demand catches up.” Gerry Dunphy, Strategy Director of IFSEC International and FIREX International said: “In order to provide some much-needed clarity in this uncertain time, our events teams will be contacting exhibitors and partners to discuss the rescheduled dates, answer any enquiries, and to ensure we can deliver the same event experience as originally planned. However, a series of events of this scale requires careful planning and organisation, so we ask for understanding in advance for any disruption this change may cause.”

The first Norfolk Police and Fire collaboration report has been issued A report highlighting progress made since the Norfolk police and fire service signed a pledge to work better together has been released. Members of Norfolk County Council’s cabinet will be presented with the first Annual Report into Norfolk’s Police and Fire Collaboration on Monday (2 March). Councillor Margaret Dewsbury, Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, said: “This report underlines the commitment by staff in both services to take action and work better together for the benefit of everyone in Norfolk.” Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lorne Green, welcomed the report, saying: “I am delighted by what has been achieved since the collaboration agreement between our police and fire and rescue services was signed. This report evidences how my review into fire service governance 18 months ago has been a real catalyst for change in our county. “Ultimately, what we all want is better, more efficient and effective public services for our county’s residents. It’s really pleasing to see what can be gained when we work together. May this closer working relationship long continue and grow.” The report highlights some of the key achievements since the collaboration agreement was signed, which pledged to find ways to work together to improve the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of Norfolk’s emergency services. Some of the steps taken in the first year of collaboration include: A new shared emergency control room A shared approach to dealing with missing persons Shared resources and training for staff Utilising buildings for the benefit of both services The start of joint public community engagement events Produced jointly by Norfolk Constabulary and Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, the report has already been approved by the Emergency Services Collaboration Board, which was set up a year ago as part of the agreement. The board has representatives from Norfolk County Council, Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commission, Norfolk Constabulary and Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service. View the Annual Report

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) firefighters help save stranded horse Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) firefighters helped save the life of a horse who had fallen and become stranded during Storm Dennis. Crews from Dalkeith and Sighthill responded to the incident within a field near Gorebridge, Midlothian. The horse, named Ace, had been blown over by a strong gust of wind and was unable to get back to his feet due to extremely wet ground conditions. Ace suffers from radial nerve damage following a previous accident and was unable to regain his footing without assistance. Battling wet and miserable conditions, fire crews and volunteers worked with a  local farmer and his forklift to gently move the animal to safety and harder ground. Following a challenging two hour operation, Ace was able to get to his feet and is now back to enjoying life. SFRS Watch Commander (WC) Gordon Aitchison was involved in the rescue and reflecting on the moment Ace regained his footing, WC Aitchison said: “The vet had already informed us that Ace had to get back to his feet by himself because if we used mechanical lifting equipment there was a chance he would fall again. “We tried to use strops, but Ace kept slipping. The lady who called us, Charlotte, then got in touch with her neighbour, a farmer who came with a forklift. We decided to use the strops, forklift and a recovery sheet to try and gently move Ace to the paddock.” WC Aitchison continued: “Moving Ace from the wet field to the paddock and harder ground was really the final chance we had. But thankfully everything worked out fine. “When Ace did get back to his feet it was great to see. Charlotte and everyone involved were over the moon and it was hugs all round.”