Co-responding, community response and the expansion of blue light services into preventative and social care will be hot topics at this year’s Emergency Services Show. Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham on 23 and 24 September, the free-to-attend event features seminars in which senior figures from the fire, police and ambulance services share their experiences of co-responding to incidents.
The show will also see the launch of a purpose-built “fire-ambulance” and showcase other innovations such as drones and body-worn video that play a key role in improving the efficiency of multi-agency response.
Currently being trialled by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service ahead of its launch at The Emergency Services Show, the Terberg Emergency Life-saving Support Tactical Ancillary Rescue multi-service vehicle (Telstar) is uniquely designed to provide both fire service and first co-response ambulance support, and meet the eight-minute target response time.
Among the many examples of collaborative working delegates will hear about are:
The multi agency response to the Alton Towers incident presented by key personnel from Staffordshire Fire & Rescue and to the Bosley Woodmill fire presented by Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service;
A joint ambulance conveyance project between Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Service and East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) which sees the fire and rescue service providing a primary response to life threatening medical emergencies within their own community prior to the arrival of an EMAS paramedic;
Recent research undertaken by the New Local Government Network detailing a radical change of role for the Fire and Rescue Service – bringing them into the delivery of health and social care. The research also examines the future of blue light services co-responding;
A Community Risk Intervention Team pilot being led by Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service working in partnership with North West Ambulance Service, Greater Manchester Police and local authorities to help prevent falls in the home, support those with mental health issues and reduce crime;
The role of today’s Police Crime Commissioners in helping all emergency services and partner agencies to collaborate to improve services and increase efficiency against a backdrop of increased devolution and localism;
The H3 shared services model between Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Constabulary and Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service (HFRS) and the estates partnership HFRS have developed with Hampshire Constabulary and South Central Ambulance Service;
A joint training initiative between the College of Policing, Emergency Planning College, Fire Services College and National Ambulance Resilience Unit which supports emergency responder interoperability;
Focus on Drones including: UAV Training – A Resilient Approach by the Sky-Futures Training Academy;
Health and emergency services working together: How NHS England and the Chief Fire Officers Association have been working together to support the use of fire resources as a health asset.
Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JESIP) and the Emergency Services Collaboration Working Group (ESCWG) who have played a key role in putting together the seminar sessions on collaboration/interoperability will both present updates on their initiatives.
“Building on the joint statement of commitment to collaboration made in February 2014 by the Chief Fire Officers Association, Association of Ambulance Chief Executives and the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Emergency Services Collaboration Working Group (ESCWG) has been working to provide an evidence base of best practice. The work has included the commissioning of academic research to identify the enablers, barriers and opportunities for greater collaboration between the emergency services, and to act as a champion for innovative collaboration projects,” says Jonathan Smith, CFOA Operations Directorate Policy Support Officer. “The Emergency Services Show will not only provide an opportunity to highlight the work of the group so far, but also to take a forward look at what may lie ahead for the emergency services as collaboration develops at an ever increasing pace.”
“The Emergency Services Show has long been a champion of collaboration and we are delighted to be showcasing so many examples of innovative best practice,” says event director David Brown. “At a time when the emergency services are undergoing an extraordinary transformation, this will be a truly thought-provoking event, rich in opportunities for all our visitors to network, share experiences and learn.”
The NEC is next to Birmingham International station and directly accessible by motorway. Visitor entry and parking at the Emergency Services Show are free.
To register visit www.emergencyuk.com
