Forward thinking

This year’s Emergency Services Show (ESS) offers the perfect opportunity for police visitors to discover innovative technologies, handle the latest kit, share experiences, exchange best practice and collaborate with other police forces and blue light services.

Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, from September 21-22, the ESS showcases how technology and innovation are transforming emergency response for first responders and all blue light services.

The show sees the return of Future Policing, a dedicated area showcasing the latest technologies, equipment and training for the policing sector. First introduced to the event in 2021 in response to the Police Uplift Programme to reduce crime and improve public safety, Future Policing also features a high-level, two-day, CPD-accredited conference tackling the most challenging and critical topics facing the future of policing.

“Technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, highlighting the pressure to modernise our current policing model and better equip our police force,” said David Brown, event director for The Emergency Services Show. “Future Policing offers a unique opportunity for police and public safety professionals to access the latest innovative products, support services and expertise that are key to meeting the demands of future policing in the UK.”

Lord Hogan-Howe QPM, the former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), chairs the Advisory Council that shapes and supports Future Policing. Among the police sector bodies with representatives advising the council are the Home Office, National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, the Police Digital Service and the College of Policing. It also has the full backing of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW).

Visitors have the unique opportunity to see, handle and experience the latest innovations and technology, and discuss their individual requirements with suppliers. Leading names exhibiting in the Future Policing zone include: Babcock Critical Services, Black Rainbow, Blucher, Draeger, Heroquip, Airbus Defence and Space, Bluelight Commercial, Dataminr, Hexagon, Kromek, Point South, SAAB UK, Survitec Group Ltd and Thomas Jacks. Among the latest equipment and services for the police sector being showcased are connectivity and communications, cyber security, IT, data management, body-worn video, drones, vehicles and fleet, vehicle equipment, protective clothing and uniforms, medical supplies, drug testing, outsourcing, training, community safety, security and station facilities.

BMT Defence and Security UK will be sharing findings from its public survey around police contact in the digital age. The survey results highlight the importance of public education and sharing information around newer digital communications tools for reporting incidents and managing enquiries. The report provides recommendations to forces on how to increase engagement across digital platforms.

The physical and mental health of police officers will be a further focus at the show. Visitors to the Flint House stand will be able to find out more about its programme of physical rehabilitation as well as mental health support for those in the police service.

The Future Policing Theatre will address key challenges in policing today, including digital policing, future-proofing the police workforce, cybercrime and the law enforcement response, as well as unlocking the power of police data to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Among confirmed speakers, Matt Parr, Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary at HMICFRS, will discuss the critical issue of public trust in the police. Dr Rick Muir, director at The Police Foundation, will speak on ‘New Mode of Protection: the findings of the Strategic Review of Policing in England and Wales’. Strategic work to accelerate innovation in policing through science will be the subject of a session led by Paul Taylor, Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor of Psychology at Lancaster University, Professor of Human Interaction at the University of Twente and director of the UK Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats (CREST).

There are more than 80 free CPD-accredited seminars across six theatres at the ESS covering first responders, lessons learnt, health and wellbeing, emerging technologies, future policing and The College of Paramedics.

A trauma-informed approach to policing will be the subject of a session in the Health and Wellbeing Theatre presented by Alexis Powell-Howard, psychotherapist at Fortis Therapy and Training, and Peter Thorp, detective superintendent at South Yorkshire Police. They will share how policing can work in a more trauma-informed way, increasing knowledge and awareness of the impact of trauma and how employers can offer the right advice and support. Neil Copeman, head of Musculoskeletal (MSK) Services at the MPS, will showcase the revamp of an MSK service using digital solutions, and alternative delivery methods that bring access to care much closer to home and work and provide tangible value to the employer.

In the Lessons Learnt Theatre, representatives from Avon and Somerset Constabulary will present a session on learnings from policing Europe’s largest music festival Glastonbury.

Visitors to the Emerging Technologies Theatre can follow and engage in a panel debate covering connected emergency services: enhancing blue light services with digital technology.

In the networking hub of the show, the Collaboration Zone, some 80 emergency services, voluntary groups, charities and NGOs will be sharing details of the support they offer, while members of other partner agencies will be available to discuss co-response and partnership working. Prominent police NGOs exhibiting include the PFEW, the College of Policing, the Police Digital Service, Police Care UK and The Police Foundation.

The Extrication and Trauma Challenges return to ESS as an interactive experience for participants and visitors. Hosted by West Midlands Fire Service, it showcases the latest rescue technology and trauma response equipment in action. In the Trauma Challenge, teams of two will experience visual and audio inputs from a trauma scenario that has been set up and filmed especially, in an ‘immersive’ tent. In the Extrication Challenge competing teams from across the country will perform extrications from a series of realistic RTC scenarios featuring heavy and complex damage. Both challenges will be judged on best safe working practices, command and control, safety and scene assessment, extrication, professional pre-hospital care and expert use of rescue equipment.

Entry to The Emergency Services Show and parking at the NEC are both free. Registration for the event is at https://www.emergencyuk.com