The two-day Emergency Services Show held at the NEC in Birmingham last month attracted a record 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.

Aimed at all emergency services and their partner agencies involved in emergency response, planning and recovery, The Emergency Services Show 2014 offered visitors more opportunities than ever before to learn new skills and broaden their knowledge, with the introduction of two free seminar programmes and a series of co-located meetings and seminars hosted by key industry bodies.

The show also offered live demonstrations of rescue techniques, equipment and vehicles and free training opportunities. Aaron Matthews, First Responder Team Co-ordinator, Welsh Ambulance Service Trust, was among the many 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.”

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.”

With over 400 exhibitors, The Emergency Services Show is a one-stop shop for the latest kit, services and expertise.

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.”

 

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