Bringing Police and All Emergency Services Together: Interoperability is Major Theme at Emergency Services Show 2013

Interoperability, how the police and all emergency services can work more closely together, is set to be the major theme of the Emergency Services Show taking place at The NEC, Birmingham on 25 and 26 September 2013. Police officers of any and every rank can now register for free entry to this year’s event at: www.emergencyuk.com/prpol

The growing Emergency Services Show provides visitors with valuable opportunities to network with other blue light services including police, fire, ambulance as well as coastguard and rescue and services who are increasingly working together in emergency situations. All of these will be at the show to see the latest developments in equipment and services.

The Emergency Response Zone is a networking focus of the show and will feature around 80 emergency services-related not-for-profits and charities. Stands of particular interest to police officers include The Blue Lamp Foundation and the National Association of Chaplains to the Police.

Entry gives visitors access to free workshops and seminars to help with training and career development as well as over 300 companies and organisations exhibiting and demonstrating the latest products and solutions in communications, IT, protective clothing and uniforms, vehicles and fleet, vehicle equipment training and outsourcing.

“If you're looking for ‘bluelight’ products or services then this is the show to attend, either as a buyer or user, " said Graham Colledge, Procurement Manager Metropolitan Police Service after attending the Emergency Services Show in 2012.

Visitors to the Durham Constabulary stand can find out more about its state-of-the-art Tactical Training Centre. The nationally approved (College of Policing) firearms and multi-functional training facility is available for police and non-police organisations looking to develop firearms, leadership and decision making skills. Training modules available include Dynamic Intervention, which covers hostage rescue situations.

Typical of the technical innovations on show this year are Vimpex’s Ogura’s Battery Powered Hydraulic Cutting Tools recently used by police during a raid on a cannabis farm. Vimpex has supplied numerous kits to the UK’s MOE (Method of Entry) armed response units and public order teams, where they are frequently used for forced entry, protestor release and all sorts of breaking, opening and cutting operations. Vimpex will also showcase handheld thermal imaging cameras and hotspot technology that can be used to aid the detection of cannabis farms.

Among the many other must-visit stands for police officers are: Bristol Uniforms, Tactical Training Centre, GMK, Thomas Jacks, Magnum Boots, Haix, Dr Martins, 5.11 Tactical, SP Services, ISG Thermal, Argus Thermal Imaging, ARCO, Goliath Footwear, WL Gore, Tactical Ventilation Solutions, Niton, Patrol Store, Bolle, Deben Group, LED Lensor Torches, Land Rover, Task Force Distribution and BBB Investments.

Now in its eighth year, the event continues to grow, with an 18 per cent increase in visitors in 2012, prompting organisers to relocate the show to the NEC, Birmingham for 2013. As well as offering greater scope for expansion and indoor and outdoor demonstration space, the NEC is centrally located with excellent transport links to Birmingham International Station, Birmingham Airport and the UK motorway network. Parking for Emergency Services show visitors will be free of charge.

For more information on the show including online registration and a live exhibitor list, please visit www.emergencyuk.com/prpol