Emergency Services Show best ever
"The 2009 Emergency Services Show and Conference was yet another successful event. Looking forward to the show and conference in 2010", says John Thompson, Chief Inspector, Head of Civil Contingencies, British Transport Police
Some 4,000 visitors attended the fourth Emergency Services Show which took place on 24th - 25th November at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.
350 exhibitors were attracted to the leading industry event, which has been designed to encourage multi-agency co-operation by uniquely bringing together all relevant organisations and equipment to promote effective collaboration.
The free to attend exhibition was supported by the Home Office and Highways Agency and showcased new and innovative technologies, most poignantly, equipment and organisations who had just returned from assisting with rescue efforts following the severe flooding in Cumbria.
The large outside space allowed access for the latest vehicles, command units and demonstrations including a 'Hummer' in UK police livery from VT Group and Avon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service who demonstrated its hovercraft used to help people trapped on mud flats and during inland flooding.
During the show the '999' help for heroes pin-badge was launched. Designed to be worn on emergency services uniforms, the badge declares the support for the national Help for Heroes charity, which raises money to support the men and women who return wounded from active service. A total of £2154.28 has already been raised from the sale of the special badges and all proceeds go straight to Help for Heroes.
The conference 'Planning, Response and Recovery' was sponsored by British Red Cross and was attended by over 100 decision makers who, with a variety of expert speakers, came together to explore current strategic thinking and past, present and future challenges in emergency response.
Both venues were subject to thorough security searches by canine search dog providers ICTS (UK) Ltd before and during the event.
David Brown, Director of Emergency Services (MMC) Ltd, organiser of The Emergency Services Show, commented, "This year really was the best yet and we have received fantastic feedback from both visitors and exhibitors. It was great to see so many people learning from each other and discussing new initiatives. The networking opportunities presented by the event were an invaluable way to develop interagency collaborations, initiatives and strategies and we are looking forward to seeing the positive results this yields in all future operations. We are already thinking about next year's event which will be held on the same dates 24th-25th November 2010."
