Discover how emerging technologies are transforming the emergency services

The Emergency Services Show, NEC, 7–8 September 2021

As live events return to the UK, the Emergency Services Show at the NEC, Birmingham, 7 and 8 September 2021 will be the first opportunity for the entire UK emergency services community and its supply chain to get together. The transformational power of new and emerging technologies will be the central theme of the expanded and enhanced trade show, which features over 450 exhibitors, more than 90 of which are new.

The Emergency Services Show uniquely brings together police, fire and rescue, ambulance, search and rescue services, their partners and suppliers. It is the one place where visitors can explore innovative technologies, see the latest equipment, share experiences, exchange best practice and learn from each other.

Adapting to the new challenges created by Covid has heightened the demand and pressure on our emergency services. Diverse and innovative emerging technologies have been rapidly deployed in a period of unprecedented change and are the core theme of the exhibition and accompanying programme of over 80 CPD-accredited seminar sessions in five theatres.

Foremost among technology exhibitors are leading support organisations for the emergency services sector, including the police National Enabling Programmes (NEP), Police Digital Service, techUK, and the Home Office Emergency Services Network (ESN), which will replace the current Airwave service used by the emergency services in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) and transform how they operate.

Learning new skills and promoting technology collaboration will continue to underpin the exhibition floor and content theatres.

Sponsored by MSA Safety, the Emerging Technologies Theatre will showcase the most cutting-edge technology and equipment used in operational response. In addition, it will cover how the emergency services can use data and technology more efficiently, including overcoming the organisational challenges presented by the pandemic.

A new feature of the 2021 show, Future Policing is supported by an influential Advisory Council chaired by Lord Hogan-Howe, the former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service. Showcasing the latest innovations available for the police sector and sponsored by Audax, Future Policing has the full backing of the Police Federation of England and Wales and the Police Superintendents’ Association, and will feature a two-day, CPD-accredited high-level conference featuring a line-up of senior speakers.

The Vehicle Innovation Theatre will focus on one of the fastest-growing areas of innovation in the sector that includes everything from vehicles with electric, hybrid and decarbonised drivetrains, to smart and connected vehicles that serve as communications hubs and mobile incident command units.

The Learning & Development Theatre connects personal development with the overarching theme of emerging technologies to feature a series of seminars designed to help professionals improve and upgrade their personals skills and proficiency, enhancing their careers. It will also focus on operational improvements as the emergency services have dramatically and dynamically pivoted their ways of working.

Topics explored in the Health & Wellbeing Theatre will include tackling historically neglected health and safety issues and the unique mental-health challenges facing the emergency services working in difficult and high-pressured environments, as well as under Covid.

Technologies on display in the exhibition include connected and smart vehicles, satellite communications, GIS and mapping technologies, ruggedised mobile computers, tablets and phones, data, cloud storage, wearable tech, connectivity, UAVs/drones, hybrid and electric vehicles, virtual and augmented reality training, body-worn cameras and other video capture systems. Among more than 90 organisations exhibiting for the first time in 2021 are Linkwave Technologies, Bullitt Group, Halo Technologies and BiTEA.

Enabling ICT applications will also be showcased, including control-room systems from new exhibitors like APD Communications and Hexagon, data management, mobile apps for emergency service and public use and the multiple technologies being used to speed and aid collaboration. The exhibition floor also continues to feature innovation from leading names in search and rescue, extrication, training, protective clothing and uniforms, medical equipment, vehicles and vehicle equipment and outsourcing.

The NEC Venue Protect programme ensures all participants in the Emergency Services Show enjoy a Covid-safe and secure visit with comprehensive social-distancing measures and enhanced cleaning and sanitisation.

Free to attend and based again in Hall 5 and the Outside Area at the NEC, the Emergency Services Show 2021 will for the first time be co-located with the Safety & Security Event Series: the Fire Safety Event, the Health & Safety Event, the Security Event, the Facilities Event and newly launched National Cyber Security Show, creating the UK’s largest event dedicated to the protection of people, places and assets.

Parking at the NEC for show visitors is free. Register in advance for free entry to all six events with a single pass at: www.emergencyuk.com