Emergency Services Share Lessons Learnt from Frontline

A programme of free CPD seminars focusing on the lessons learnt from frontline operations will run at The Emergency Services Show this year at the NEC, Birmingham on 18 and 19 September. The Lessons Learnt Theatre, sponsored by UCLan, will feature case studies of major incidents including the Salisbury nerve agent incident, the recent wildfires on Winter Hill in Lancashire and the Ocado warehouse fire in Hampshire.

Experts from across the emergency services community will detail findings from current research to enable best practice in prevention and collaboration. The Scottish Violence Reduction Unit for example will explain how Scotland has been so successful in dealing with knife crime. Another session entitled “Murder is Everyone’s Business” will cover the criminal investigation into a gang-related murder where multi-agency collaboration led to many successful convictions.

The Institution of Fire Engineers will present a session on the newly-formed Fire Standards Board: an international initiative to prevent firefighter fatalities; while the Road Rescue Recovery Association will explain how the whole industry is raising awareness of the rising number of serious injuries and fatalities taking place among roadside and rescue workers. It is currently lobbying to implement changes and regulations. Recommendations for improving pre-hospital burn care will be shared by the Katie Piper Foundation and National Fire Chiefs’ Council.

“The Lessons Learnt seminars are always a very popular educational aspect of The Emergency Services Show. Our emergency services are facing truly challenging times in terms of austerity, and the types of incidents they are dealing with, so it has never been more important to share learnings with others. We are very grateful to the speakers who are prepared to be so open about the reality of responding, in order to help the whole emergency services community plan and train for the future,” said David Brown, Event Director for The Emergency Services Show.

Three additional CPD-accredited seminar theatres will cover Emerging Technologies, IT and Health and Wellbeing (which will highlight the types of support available to responders dealing with stress, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental health conditions).

This year’s event also sees the return of the popular College of Paramedic Workshops, and West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service Extrication and First Aid & Trauma Challenges, which aim to develop proficiency levels in all areas of Road Traffic Collision Rescue.

The Emergency Services Show exhibition features over 450 exhibiting companies including leading names in vehicles and fleet, communications, technology, medical and fire fighting equipment, search and rescue, extrication, water rescue, first response, protective clothing and uniforms, public safety, vehicle equipment, training, community safety and station facilities. Live demonstrations and simulated training will take place throughout the indoor and outdoor exhibition areas.

In the networking hub of the show, The Collaboration Zone, over 80 emergency services, voluntary groups, charities and NGOs will be sharing details of the support they offer, and visitors can share ideas and best practice with other blue light services.

• The Emergency Services Show is free to attend including the exhibition and CPD Seminars. Parking is also free.