There will be a buzz in the air at this year’s Emergency Services Show. A new feature will cover Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or “drones”). Organisers of the event, at the NEC in Birmingham on September 21 and 22, have partnered with UAV network, SUAS Global, to launch The Drone Zone. As well as showcasing suppliers of UAV technology, The Drone Zone will bring together industry specialists and users to share knowledge. Risk management, operational safety in both civil and commercial airspace, privacy, security and legislation will all be covered in free seminars.
Specialist ambulance crews, or Hazard Area Response Teams (HART), may be equipped with UAVs this year. Among the speakers in The Drone Zone’s seminar theatre will be James Grove, Watch Manager, West Midlands Fire Service which has been using drones since 2007. Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service (which has joint use of a drone with Lancashire Police) will also share its experience. The potential of UAVs for aiding situational awareness during fire incidents, missing person searches and flooding will be covered by Séamus Kearns, Head of Operations, Surrey Search & Rescue, and Lee Renwick, Director, HAIS Group who will talk about the application of UAVs in law enforcement and counter terrorism. The Department for Transport and NATS (UK’s provider of air traffic control services) will also be presenting sessions.
Other speakers include:
Steve Coulson, Director, Martek Marine who will explore how drones are going to change emergency service teams of the future and ask whether they will be seen as an enhancement or a threat to the jobs of already stretched teams;
John Tansley, Managing Director, NoFlyZone who will cover privacy and security issues in legal and illegal use of UAVs, and examine public perceptions;
Ricky Huntley, Regional RPAS Advisor, SGS Hart Aviation who will highlight the importance of corporate responsibility and due diligence and demonstrate how human factors considerations are centric to successful drone deployment; and
John Hanslip, Marsh, who will advise delegates on risk transfer and insurance cover.
In the exhibition, drone supplier Coptrz will offer advice on how to choose the right drone and what kind of training is required. Other suppliers of UAV technology exhibiting include Aeraccess, Excelerate, Primetech and WH Bence. Staff from SUAS Global, a voice of the UAV industry, will be also be available to talk to visitors about UAVs and their uses, regulations and concerns.
Visitors with an interest in air surveillance can visit the UK Civil Air Patrol (CAP) stand where a Cavalon autogyro will be on display. CAP is a voluntary organisation which can support blue light services, local government civil contingencies and other voluntary bodies such as RNLI and SAR teams with air observation and air-to-ground photography. The CAP fleet of 60 aircraft includes aeroplanes, light helicopters, autogyros and flex-wing microlights, together with a number of small UAVs.
The NEC is next to Birmingham International station and Birmingham Airport and the M42. Visitor entry, seminar theatres and parking at the Emergency Services Show are all free. To register for free entry visit www.emergencyuk.com.
