The Emergency Services Show 2019 

The Emergency Services Show 2019, taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, UK on September 18-19, offers an excellent opportunity for emergency responders and government departments to discover innovative technology and operational solutions, share experiences and prepare for future emergency incidents. Here is a snapshot of what will be going on.


The Simulation Centre is where VR training will take place. All photos: ESS 

IT Theatre

Luana Avagliano, Head of ResilienceDirect and Helen Braithwaite, Head of Standards, Training and Exercising at the National Cyber Security Programme will open the first day in the IT Theatre sponsored by Excelerate. Attendees can catch up on all the latest information on the ResilienceDirect Mapping refactor and the UK’s National Cyber Security Programme Pathfinder Training Programme.

Other sessions will include how the cloud is pushing operational efficiency on the frontline and how 5G could improve operational response. There will also be updates on the Emergency Services Network critical communications system from the UK Home Office.

Emerging Technologies

The new Emerging Technologies seminar theatre, sponsored by MSA, Zebra Technologies and Westbase.io, will explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning can be used to improve emergency response. It will focus on the training benefits of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies and look at emerging vehicle technologies including electric vehicles and connected cars.

The multi-agency benefits of training in a simulated immersive environment will be discussed in a session looking at Coventry University’s Simulation Centre, which has been working with West Midlands emergency services and council planners on a recent training exercise.

Lessons Learnt

The Lessons Learnt Theatre, sponsored by UCLan, Dr Nick Gent of Public Health England will talk about the unique challenges that the Salisbury nerve agent incident brought to public health emergency response, discussing planning, training and exercises for events of international significance. Other major incidents reviewed will include the recent wildfires on Winter Hill in Lancashire and the Ocado warehouse fire in Hampshire, both located in the UK.

Health & Wellbeing

The Health & Wellbeing Theatre will look at the range of interventions available to those with stress, depression, PTSD and other mental health conditions, helping to build individual and team resilience. The programme also includes sessions on equality and diversity. Jennifer Hill, Watch Commander with West Midlands Fire Service will explore what lessons can be learned from a primarily female fire service team deployed in civil war-strewn South Sudan.

SkyBound Rescuer Drone Seminars

This year, The Emergency Services Show has an exciting new addition; The SkyBound Rescuer Drone Seminar and a SkyBound Rescuer Drone Zone proudly sponsored by SOARIZON by Thales. Internationally renowned speaker, Charles Werner (pictured), a pioneer of drones in public safety across the USA, will open the seminar programme on September 19.

Opportunity to Network and Collaborate

With over 100 new companies and organisations on this year’s floor plan, the indoor and outdoor exhibition features everything from PPE, fire-fighting equipment and medical supplies to communications technology and training facilities. As well as meeting the key resilience organisations and training providers, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the support available from the voluntary sector in The Collaboration Zone.

Entry to the exhibition and seminars, which are all CPD-accredited, is free. Click here to register for free entry. 

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