Organisers of The Emergency Services Show reported that the two-day event at the NEC in Birmingham last month attracted a record number of 5,680 visitors. This represents the eighth consecutive year-on-year increase in visitor growth and a six per cent increase since the event relocated to the NEC in Birmingham last year, the organisers say.
Aimed at emergency services and their partner agencies involved in emergency response, planning and recovery, The Emergency Services Show 2014 with over 400 exhibitors offered live demonstrations of rescue techniques, equipment and vehicles and free training. Aaron Matthews, First Responder Team Co-ordinator, Welsh Ambulance Service Trust, was among attendees who gained CPD credits at the College of Paramedics workshops. He said: “The teaching staff are really good, they explain things really well and answer any questions. It’s good refresher training for when you are out on the road.”
Physio Control also hosted workshops. Sam Amena, Marketing Product Specialist, Physio Control said: “We were very impressed with the size of the show… We are here to educate people and that has been very well received.”
Networking was cited by both visitors and exhibitors as a key benefit of attending. John Halfpenny, Policing Skills Trainer, Learning and Development, West Mercia and Warwickshire Police described the show as “an invaluable and enjoyable chance to network and appreciate the challenges, strengths and capabilities of partner agencies in the emergency services and support organisations and responders.” This view was echoed by Tim Lewis, Capability Officer, CFOA National Resilience, exhibiting in the Emergency Response Zone. He explained: “We are here to get our name out there and catch up with partner agencies. It’s also useful for us to be here to network and see new equipment ourselves.”
Des Harker, PPE Manager, Suffolk Fire Service found “an abundance of suppliers with new or innovative equipment that we can buy now or think about to meet our future requirements.” Kevan Whitehead, Director of Fire & Rescue Stirling Group, Dubai confirmed: “Within two days I met most of my current suppliers and met a few potential future suppliers. From an R&D perspective –absolutely the best use of my limited time.”
And Luana Avagliano, Head of the Resilience Direct team at the Cabinet Office, said: “The Emergency Services Show proved a great opportunity for us to meet with all our stakeholders and show off our new system. We’ve met all the right people here and had a fantastic response to the service.”
The Emergency Services Show returns to the NEC in Birmingham to celebrate its 10th anniversary on September 23 and 24, 2015. Organisers have confirmed they will continue to offer entry to the exhibition and seminars free as well as provide free parking and a free shuttle bus from the railway station to the exhibition halls. Visit www.emergencyuk.com.
