October 2014
www.emergencyservicestimes.com
Volume 15 | 5
ESTCONTENTS | 1
IN EVERY ISSUE
15
Comment 3 News 4 Events 13 Company Profiles 14 | 37 | 54 | 85 | 114 People 16 Profiles 21 | 38 Products 116 Last Words 120
IN THIS ISSUE RESILIENCE
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Chris Felton from the Cabinet Office highlights the challenges of severe space weather and how the UK is preparing for and plans to lessen the impact of such events
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MASS FATALITIES
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Advice for emergency planners from Dr Lucy Easthope, Senior lecturer in Forensic Science at the University of Lincoln, on the task of preparing a ‘mass fatalities framework’
INTEROPERABILITY
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What next for the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JESIP)? How the JESIP approach has been embraced by Staffordshire’s blue light services and the successful multi-agency work of Yorkshire’s emergency services in preparation for and during this year’s Tour de France
29
WATER RESCUE
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CFOA National Resilience identifies the lessons learned from the National Flood Events of 2013/14, a special guide to the care and maintenance of search and rescue drysuits and how MREW’s national ‘Water Strategy’ hopes to guide water rescue capability within mountain rescue
ESS2014: ERZ FOCUS
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The Emergency Response Zone (ERZ) at The Emergency Services Show 2014 features over 80 frontline response organisations, government departments and voluntary sector partners, exhibiting at the event to network with blue light colleagues and better understand each other’s capabilities – find out more from page 61.
ESS2014: EXHIBITOR FOCUS
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Over 400 exhibitors will be displaying products and services at The Emergency Services Show 2014 – discover more about these suppliers, including Primetech, Serco Fire Services, Emergency Planning College, DS Medical, PageOne, PGI Training, Dräger, TenCate, Scott Safety, Bollé Safety and SP Services, to name but a select few.
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Registration for The Emergency Services Show 2014, which takes place from 24-25 September, will remain open up to and throughout the show – visit www.emergencyuk.com and click on ‘Register Now’ to sign up for free admission to the UK’s leading multi-agency emergency services event. Emergency Services Times October 2014
14 | ESTCOMPANY PROFILE
Rosenbauer UK looks to impress with maiden ESS appearance Since Rosenbauer’s merge with Yorkshire based North Fire plc in April of this year, much attention and anticipation has been aimed towards the world’s biggest manufacturer of fire and rescue appliances and exactly how its world class fleet offerings can integrate into the British fire and rescue service fleets. It is no surprise that Rosenbauer is the world’s biggest supplier and manufacturer of fire and rescue service appliances with arguably the most technologically advanced trucks integrated with the most attractive bodywork on the global market. Added to this, the crew comfort and working space is almost unrivalled – incorporating more safety for the crew than ever before. Rosenbauer’s appliances also make impossible stowage tasks possible ensuring every cubic inch of stowage space is used effectively, meaning either more equipment can be carried or smaller, more manoeuvrable chassis can be used for the same job. UK specific vehicle range Since the aforementioned April merge, investing heavily into their UK operations, Rosenbauer has demonstrated its desire and willingness to completely concentrate on its UK specific appliance range, albeit stemming from the company’s world class ‘standard’ range technology and styling. “We’re fully aware of the requirements and pre-requisites for what a British appliance needs to achieve in terms of manual handling and truck dimensions,” said Oliver North, Managing Director, Rosenbauer UK plc. “But what we will achieve is a more efficient, refined and aesthetically stunning appliance from our current ‘standard’ here in the UK. I genuinely think we have the most professional brigades throughout Europe in terms of firefighters and their skill levels but my personal opinion is that many parts of Europe are very much ahead of us in terms of quality of front line appliances and I’m confident we can start to change that with our UK specific range.”
Rosenbauer fire appliances are no strangers to UK shores, with the already established range of Metz Aerials both on the run and in build at the present time, with forecasts showing continued growth into the near and distant future. Rosenbauer’s ‘marquee’ appliances are also an extremely common sight at the majority of major UK airports too with the excellent Panther – of which there are over 60 of throughout the UK and Ireland.
Twister lace-up fire boot.
The Otter pump from Rosenbauer.
Range of equipment As most fire and rescue service personnel are aware, Rosenbauer is almost a standard brand at a fire station in one way or another already, with the excellent range of equipment supplied to fire and rescue services, UK-wide, over many years. The Rosenbauer HEROS-xtreme fire helmet is a market leader in Britain and the Rosenbauer Otter LPP has been a ‘firefighter favourite’ for over a
decade. Now the company’s presence in the PPE market looks set to grow firmly with the excellent Twister lace-up fire boot winning various trials already throughout brigades since its launch. The Rosenbauer Fanergy-Pro turbo fan is also gaining positive momentum throughout brigades, testament that Rosenbauer really does specialise as a ‘full liner’ for brigade requirements.
“Visitors to ESS2014 will be able to demonstrate any of the market leading ranges on the Rosenbauer stand.” In conjunction with Rosenbauer’s manufactured products, the company incorporates another strong English connection into its portfolio with the superb, British-made Argus range of thermal imaging cameras. The highlight of the UK fire and rescue service thermal imaging market over the past two years has been the excellent Mi-TIC, which is now comfortably a market leader with over 25 brigades using the device operationally. The ARGUS Mi-TIC encompasses the latest thermal imaging technology and provides the firefighter with what many say is the most ergonomic design on the market, with a weight of only 740g. Simplicity of operation and impeccable robustness also add together resulting in the most loved hand held thermal imaging unit in the UK, as well as around the world.
Emergency Services Times October 2014
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ESTCOMPANY PROFILE | 15
The Emergency Services Show 2014: highlights Rosenbauer 12-tonne Compact Line pumping appliance: Rosenbauer’s Compact Line range is the natural choice for UK fire and rescue services due to its compact design; the appliance is designed for maximum manoeuvrability and operation around ever congested and narrow roads and streets. The Compact Line has proven time after time that due to sophisticated stowage technology it can, on most occasions, carry as much as if not more than a more standard 18-tonne UK B-type pumping appliance. While achieving its light weight and smaller dimensions, the Compact Line still offers more crew cab space and comfort, ensuring working conditions are improved for the front line firefighter. Metz L32A-XS turntable ladder: Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s soonto-be commissioned Metz XS will be the aerial highlight of The Emergency Services Show 2014, displaying what is arguably the most efficient ladder set on the European market today. The XS boasts a bigger outreach, and just as importantly, the smallest in-reach over and above its nearest rival with an expertly engineered ladder set, while the ‘Metz design’ bodywork provides extremely functional yet an aesthetically stunning look, providing aerial crews with maximum ability and confidence to carry out the most demanding aerial challenges (you can watch the Metz XS video in full at www.rosenbauer.co.uk).
The HEROS-xtreme fire helmet.
Rosenbauer FANERGY-Pro: The new Rosenbauer Turbo Fan FANERGY-Pro, makes its first public appearance in the UK with a full demonstration available from any of Rosenbauer’s technical representatives on the Rosenbauer stand at The Emergency Services Show. The FANERGY-Pro raises the bar of quality and air flow with a completely unrivalled, robust, and ergonomic design, chosen time and time again by firefighters throughout the UK during recent trials as their fan of choice.
The new Rosenbauer Turbo Fan FANERGY-Pro, makes its first public appearance in the UK.
ARGUS Mi-TIC and security thermal imaging cameras: The market leading ARGUS Mi-TIC will be available for demonstration at ESS2014 with senior management staff in attendance from e2v’s thermal imaging division – ARGUS. For years, ARGUS has continued to set benchmarks and raise the bar of quality for specialist emergency services thermal imaging requirements with both fire and rescue services and police forces throughout the UK opting for
The NAUTILUS is the first submersible pump from Rosenbauer with an electric drive.
the latest technology of British manufactured TICs, distributed and serviced exclusively by Rosenbauer UK. Personal Protective Equipment: Rosenbauer’s excellent PPE range will be available to try out at this year’s Emergency Services Show, in particular the market leading HEROS-xtreme fire helmet and the magnificent TWISTER fire boot. Make the most of the fitting station on Rosenbauer’s stand to see for yourself just why Rosenbauer’s PPE continues to dominate brigade trials nationwide. Pumps: the excellent range of Rosenbauer pumps will be shown and demonstrated at the NEC, highlighting the Otter, Beaver and Fox portable pumps with the excellent Rosenbauer UHPS also available to view. Rosenbauer will also proudly exhibit the excellent NH-series pump via the Compact Line pumping appliance. www.rosenbauer.co.uk
The Metz L32A-XS turntable ladder.
Metz B32 ALP: for many UK fire and rescue services, the Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP) is the only choice of aerial appliance due to its outstanding water delivery capability. The Metz B32 ALP is among the best on the planet with its relative speed, superb outreach, low noise and enviable body styling. The B32 has continued to impress brigades throughout the UK in 2014 as more and more brigades look to Metz aerials to increase their aerial efficiency and capability.
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The ARGUS Mi-TIC will be available for demonstration at ESS2014.
The SAFE GRIP 3 protective firefighter glove.
Emergency Services Times October 2014
ESTINTEROPERABILITY | 25
JESIP enters new phase By the time The Emergency Services Show 2014 opens its doors, Joint Endeavour – the major exercise in responding to disaster – will have been held on Merseyside. Much noise, simulated crashes, bloodstained ‘victims’ and ‘pretend’ media will have featured in highlighting and testing elements of the two-year JESIP programme. Words: David Jervis, JESIP senior communications advisor. Commanders from the three blue light emergency services will, I am sure, have adhered to the interoperability principles, used the mnemonic METHANE and religiously worked together through the JDM (Joint Decision Model) to manage the major incident effectively and efficiently. Over 800 people will have been involved in the exercise, including representatives of other
organisations such as the Armed Forces, the local authority and British Transport Police. This issue of Emergency Services Times would have been put to bed by the exercise date – 18 September – but it is firmly anticipated that, watched by various VIPs and ‘real’ media, the exercise will have demonstrated the overarching aim of JESIP – Working Together – Saving Lives.
Exercise Joint Endeavour will represent the culmination of the two-year life of JESIP – the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme. Sponsored by Government departments and driven forward by the three blue light emergency services, the most extensive and ambitious joint training programme has been designed and executed. Some 10,000 priority emergency services personnel will have attended a JESIP training course. They will have absorbed information about the JESIP principles and tools; they will have discussed, debated and discovered how to achieve the main aim – improving interoperability and joint working in the early stages of a major incident. The importance of good, clear, face-to-face communication, an understanding of different roles and responsibilities and the need for effective joint decision making – and much more – will have been reinforced and embraced.
“Although the two-year programme is ending, JESIP will continue – to coin a phrase, it is just the end of the beginning.” Team effort on a national scale Over 20 live validation exercises designed to test all aspects of the JESIP learning have been held, with Joint Endeavour being by far the largest. Creating the ingredients required to make this whole programme work has been the responsibility of a small, dedicated central team, drawn from the emergency services and Government. But ensuring that momentum is maintained and the training is delivered has involved many colleagues from the 105 emergency services and other organisations. The skill, professionalism and sheer effort of JESIP licensed trainers, the delivery leads, strategic leads and others in organising and running 700 courses has been magnificent. It has been a massive team effort on a national scale.
The JESIP principles and tools outlined in the Joint Doctrine, the Aide Memoire (shown here) and on the training courses are now being applied regularly at many incidents.
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Training material A library of JESIP training products, including PowerPoint presentations and e-learning material has been produced, enabling the crucial messages around joint working to be spread to many thousands of other emergency services personnel. Also, while the initial focus was on the ambulance, police and fire and rescue services, Category 1 and 2 Responders, including
Emergency Services Times October 2014
26 | ESTINTEROPERABILITY Designed, trained, delivered The training products were produced mostly in partnership with the College of Policing, National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU), Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA) and Fire Service College. Courses were designed, trainers from the three services were trained together and, in partnership, they delivered the tri-service courses at venues across England and Wales. JESIP has been welcomed across the board and feedback from those attending training courses has been overwhelmingly positive. The JESIP principles and tools outlined in the Joint Doctrine, the Aide Memoire and, of course, on the training courses are now being applied regularly at many incidents and used at set piece events like the Glastonbury Festival and the F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone. So JESIP has travelled a long way and will continue that journey into a new phase from October. Joint Doctrine: The Interoperability Framework is the bedrock of this huge programme.
HM Coastguard, British Transport Police, Civil Nuclear Constabulary, and others from the wider resilience community have been involved – some in the actual training but many in exposure to JESIP products. Although the two-year programme is ending, JESIP will continue – to coin a phrase, it is just the end of the beginning. The story so far… Before looking at the new phase in JESIP’s life, let us reflect on what has gone before, especially for the benefit of those who may have missed the JESIP story so far. The need for better joint working was identified by the emergency services and JESIP was created as a two-year programme, sponsored by the Home Office and supported by other Government departments – Cabinet Office, Department for Communities and Local Government and Department of Health. The outcomes of inquiries following a number of major incidents, including the London bombings in July 2005, showed clearly that joint working between the emergency services needed improvement. A review by Dr Kevin Pollock into the findings of inquiries following 32 major incidents over the past 30 years revealed that lessons were not being learned – for example, communication between the emergency services was not good enough; there was poor joint working practices and planning; and inadequate joint training. A survey by Skills for Justice of emergency service personnel, which was commissioned in the early stages of JESIP, more than underlined the real need for joint training by the blue light services to improve joint working and understanding. A consultation process involving many key stakeholders resulted in the ‘Joint Doctrine: The Interoperability Framework’ which is the bedrock of this huge programme. The Doctrine, the Pollock Report and the Skills for Justice survey are all available on the website www.jesip.org.uk.
What is JESIP Phase Two? A transition period managed by a reduced central JESIP team (from 16 to seven) – still based in the Home Office – will spend six months building on the considerable work already done in preparation for the full legacy arrangements to kick in at the beginning of April 2015. On the ground much will continue as before – for example, there are over 2000 control room personnel to receive their newly designed JESIP training. But in driving JESIP forwards there will be a change of impetus away from the centre. The baton needs to change hands as the emergency services and other responder organisations fully embrace JESIP, embed it in their day-to-day business and take over responsibility for its maintenance and development.
Four main work areas Focus will be on four main work areas during the transition period and into legacy: 1. Joint Organisational Learning (JOL) – this will be at the absolute core of JESIP moving forward. The programme was created because lessons identified in the past were not being applied. A resilient process is being developed to ensure that this does not happen in the future 2. Training – this will continue apace as new recruits arrive and promotions take place. There will always be personnel who will benefit from joint training 3. Testing and exercising – doing this regularly will contribute to embedding JESIP and contribute to JOL 4. Joint Doctrine – this will continue to be the bedrock of interoperability and will be updated when necessary. More information about the JESIP legacy arrangements will almost certainly feature in future editions of this magazine and on the JESIP website. Examples of how the JESIP principles and tools are being applied throughout the country and beyond will, I am sure, increase in number. Long life ahead It has been said that JESIP’s true long-lasting success will be seen only when its principles and products have touched all operational staff in the emergency services and other responder organisations. That is a huge number of people so it is clear that JESIP has a long and busy life ahead as it continues to pursue its overarching aim of ‘Working Together – Saving Lives.’ www.jesip.org.uk
JESIP rocks up at Glastonbury JESIP turned up at the world’s most famous music festival to help look after a quarter of a million people. While Elbow were throwing their curtains wide; Dolly was working Nine to Five and Metallica roared Seek and Destroy, emergency service commanders were employing JESIP principles to help manage the massive operation that is Glastonbury.
It was also helpful that many of the commanders at the event had relationships that began at JESIP courses. In fact, there was even a meeting of delivery leads held on site at one point. During the festival, the three emergency services control rooms were co-located in Event Control with other services, eg security.
First some facts: • Glastonbury attracts 200,000 visitors and 50,000 staff • It has a larger population than Bath or Exeter • It runs over five days and is based on a Somerset farm, displacing (temporarily) 400 cows
Pete Brown, Resilience Officer (special projects) for SWASFT, described the event control area as an incredible facility. “It is fantastic and a great example to anyone responsible for managing planned or unplanned events,” he said.
South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust (SWASFT), Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and Somerset Police cover the festival. Together with Festival Medical, 3000 patients were treated this year; 60 went to hospital and two sadly died. Tabletop exercises Prior to the event, two big tabletop exercises were held to embed JESIP principles into the event and to explore how they would be used to respond to incidents. All emergency services had agreed to use JESIP principles as an integral part of how the event would be managed and it was also agreed that, where possible, all commanders at the event had to be JESIP trained. In 2015 this will become mandatory through a Memorandum of Understanding.
Emergency Services Times October 2014
During the event: • The Joint Decision Model (JDM) was the tool used for all decision making • All crews were trained in the use of METHANE so all sitreps used that format • Airwave interoperability talkgroups were in use • Commanders met regularly face-to-face Pete said that working at the festival was a really positive experience. He said, “It is a very well managed event, still less formal than some other events and very good natured. Using JESIP actually allowed us to provide an evidence base for doing things, which in previous years might not have been possible.” www.jesip.org.uk
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ESTWATER RESCUE & FLOOD RESPONSE | 43
The greatest test: lessons learned from the National Flood Events of 2013-14 Last winter’s severe weather of widespread flooding, huge coastal storms and tidal surge posed a significant risk to the United Kingdom, and resulted in the largest mobilisation of National Resilience High Volume Pump assets to date. Here we examine what lessons have been learned from the National Flood Events of 2013-14. Words: Steve Ray, CFOA National Resilience HVP Capability Lead & Richard Gordon, CFOA National Resilience Flood Response Capability Lead. During the winter of 2013-14, Britain faced one of the most extreme series of weather events ever experienced. The tidal surge affecting the east coast of England in early December 2013 was the largest in 60 years, and in some cases even higher than in the tragedy of 1953. The storms over the Christmas and New Year period were unprecedented, and were subsequently followed by the wettest January in the south of England since records began. Rainfall for December 2013 to February 2014 was measured at 500mm, the highest recorded for 100 years. Groundwater levels became exceptionally high and as a result compounded the overall effects of flooding. The groundwater levels remained particularly high and posed a prolonged risk of further flooding for several weeks after the main flooding events had receded. At the beginning of February 2014, the highest waves ever measured in Britain were recorded as impacting against the south west coast of England. As a result of all of the above factors, serious wide-area and coastal flooding occurred in many different parts of the south of England and parts of Wales. Largest simultaneous operational deployment From a fire and rescue service (FRS) perspective, the unprecedented scale of mobilisation in support of a number of affected FRSs during the winter period is considered to have been the largest simultaneous operational deployment of emergency personnel and equipment since the Second World War. The arrangements outlined within the National Coordination and Advisory Framework (NCAF) were implemented in full. The arrangements are considered to have worked extremely well in providing strategic oversight and support across all incident locations.
A Strategic Holding Area was set up at Taunton Deane Services from where the National Resilience assets were mobilised. Photo: Dave Benson
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Photo: Carl Haslam
The map shows the scale of flood-affected regions at the height of the severe weather.
National Incidents December 2013: East Coast Tidal Surge 4 December: The Met Office identified a significant area of low pressure massing in the Atlantic Ocean. 6 December: A combination of high tides, large waves and gale-force winds led to a significant tidal surge along the East coast of England. Areas including Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Humberside, Lincolnshire, Kent and North Yorkshire were inundated with calls throughout this period, and requested
assistance with the provision of national assets under mutual aid arrangements: • NCAF arrangements were established, with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Operations Room set up • 24 High Volume Pumps (HVPs) formed part of the pre-emptive deployment to the affected FRS areas. The deployment utilised just less than 50 percent of the total HVP assets usually available in England and Wales • 39 Flood Rescue teams available from the National Register of Assets within England and Wales were mobilised from several FRSs and non-governmental organisations to assist in the affected areas • Four specialist FRS Enhanced Logistics Support (ELS) teams were mobilised and established in order to support the effective and timely deployment of assisting assets into the areas affected by or at risk from tidal flooding • 16 specialist Tactical Advisers (10 x Flood Response and 6 x HVP) were mobilised in support of both the HVP and Flood Response capabilities in order to provide expert tactical advice to incident commanders regarding the utilisation of supporting specialist assets.
Emergency Services Times October 2014
44 | ESTWATER RESCUE & FLOOD RESPONSE
Following both a reduction in the severity of the weather and tidal conditions, along with comprehensive risk reviews being conducted within the affected areas, the majority of specialist assets were stood down during the course of the day and returned to their home locations.
“The unprecedented scale of mobilisation in support of a number of affected FRSs during the winter period was the largest simultaneous operational deployment of emergency personnel and equipment since the Second World War.” January 2014 – Somerset Levels The various large-scale deployments to mitigate flooding in early 2014 commenced with the response initiated following a statement given by the Prime Minister to the House of Commons on 29 January regarding the ongoing flooding situation across the Somerset Levels, which involved approximately 65 square kilometres of inundated land. As part of a multi-agency response, HVP, Flood Response and ELS capabilities were mobilised in response. After 29 days, and against the backdrop of improving weather and receding flood water levels, FRS operations began to scale down towards the end of February. February 2014: Thames Valley Constant rain throughout February, coupled with already saturated groundwater levels, led to thousands of properties becoming flooded and urban communities requiring assistance. National Resilience assets from all nine of the CFOA regions within England, supported by assets from Welsh FRSs in the form of HVPs, Flood Rescue Teams and ELS, provided assistance to the affected communities within the Thames Valley area. • At one point at the height of the emergency response phase within all of the affected regions, all National HVP assets within England and Wales were either actively deployed or engaged in strategic cover moves • The National Resilience Assurance Team (NRAT) enacted its operational role as defined within NCAF, providing support to all incident locations • HVP Tactical Advisers were deployed extensively in support of the ongoing FRS operations across Somerset, Cornwall, Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, London and Surrey
• Additionally, significant numbers of nationally declared Flood Rescue Teams and Flood Rescue Tactical Advisers were deployed throughout the winter period of severe weather. Lessons learned 1. One particular innovation realised at an early stage during the National Flood Events saw an NRAT Operations Support Cell established at the National Resilience Centre, Fire Service College. The cell provided a focal point for the central coordination of information and support to the DCLG Operations Cell, the Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser (CFRA), the NRAT and the NRAT Duty Officer 2. Following the initial basic development of a web-based National Resilience asset status tool for the December 2013 East Coast Tidal Surge, the opportunity was realised to further ‘dynamically’ develop the status tool in support of the emergency response during the national flooding event. This allowed the effective sharing and updating of critical asset status information between all NCAF locations and the NR Operations Support Cell in support of the CFRA and National Strategic Advisory Team (NSAT) Officers’ strategic objectives 3. The deployment of a HVP Tactical Adviser into a multi-agency Gold cell proved to be an innovative solution to ensuring timely and effective liaison and coordination of the operations of several HVP Tactical Advisers working across multiple locations within affected FRS in the Thames Valley area 4. A national flood debrief process led by the Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA), was held for multi-agency stakeholders at the Fire Service College in April. Subsequently, an operational debrief report was published by CFOA in July. The report identifies a number of opportunities from lessons learned that may enhance the existing effectiveness of the FRS response to major wide-area flood events affecting the United Kingdom in the future. The National Flood Events of 2014 have brought into sharper focus the work already being
Completely surrounded by flooded farmland, the tiny community of Muchelney on the Somerset Levels was accessible only by boat for some time. Photo: Devon and Somerset FRS
Emergency Services Times October 2014
Homes under water meant misery for many. Photo: Carl Haslam
undertaken within the CFOA National Resilience Assurance Team (NRAT) to explore the identified synergies between the management and use of HVP assets and Flood Response assets at major incidents. This has both informed and further stimulated the ongoing work to explore the potential for a modular mobilising concept for HVP and Flood Rescue assets in response to major flooding incidents within the UK. This concept would allow an affected FRS the option to request national mutual aid on the basis of the desired effect to be achieved in order to successfully resolve the incident, rather than requesting the perceived number of flood response assets required. Furthermore, the concept will be underpinned by capability-specific advice delivered by Tactical Advisers to ensure a suitable and proportionate response to any request for that assistance.
“The National Flood Events have been the greatest test of National Resilience arrangements since their inception.” Future enhancements The National Flood Events of 2013-14 have prompted the consideration and investigation of a range of potential HVP capability enhancements for the future. This may ultimately enable an even stronger position in HVP capability readiness, flexibility and resilience nationally for when an event of similar (or even greater magnitude) is once again encountered due to the effects of severe weather. The National Flood Events have been the greatest test of National Resilience arrangements since their inception, and FRSs, along with partner agencies, can be rightfully proud of the highly professional operational response, which was provided in extremely demanding circumstances. Members of the National Resilience Assurance Team will be on hand to explain their work at The Emergency Services Show 2014, on Stand Z248. www.fireresilience.org.uk
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Game-changer! With its genesis as a tool devised to monitor any national security incidents surrounding the London Olympics, the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) Reporting Tool has developed into an invaluable visual aid to record asset availability and current deployment status. Used to great effect during the winter floods, it was most recently utilised by the FRS Support Room at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Words: John Fairweather, CFOA National Resilience Command and Control Capability Adviser. The FRS Reporting Tool was originally developed by CFOA National Resilience in support of the London 2012 Olympics to provide a means to monitor significant incidents across England during the games period. It operates on a basic traffic light system, and was monitored from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) operations cell in London throughout the Olympic Torch Relay and the duration of the Olympic Games. The success of the system was acknowledged and, following the relevant CFOA approvals, the original system is now being further developed by the CFOA Command and Control capability under the guidance of CFO Simon Pilling.
• The UK map is divided into FRS boundaries for England and Wales, with some development work also being undertaken for Scotland • The system is required to meet the needs of a number of stakeholders including: The Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser (CFRA); DCLG; and the Resilience and Emergencies Directorate (RED) • The web-based system allows all FRSs to provide information about incidents directly into the FRS Reporting Tool as they occur, consequently turning their status from ‘steady’ (green) to ‘affected’ (red) or ‘assisting’ (amber) on the national map.
2 August 2014: From the London Olympics to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, we have been mesmerised by the outstanding performances of Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt, here powering home to win the 4 x 100m relay. PHOTO: Robert Perry/REX
The system allows any affected fire and rescue service to be easily visually identified. Specific information relating to any incident that has occurred is available to view by clicking onto the relevant FRS. Individual control rooms may only view incident details for their own FRS. The CFRA (or his duty officer) will be able to make an assessment on the impacts that an incident may have to national coverage, and then in consultation with the relevant CFOA Capability Lead Officer, will be able to agree any required additional moves based on information and intelligence from other agencies. Database of capabilities The database that is held contains all of the National Resilience (NR) resources that have been declared within the country, both the vehicles (IRU, DIM, USAR, HVP, ELS and Flood Rescue) and personnel (Tactical Advisers). This list of nationally declared capabilities may increase in the future as other capabilities are developed and agreed through the CFOA structure. These systems have been developed to meet the needs of all stakeholders, and input will come from various locations should a major incident occur, with the outputs providing up-to-date information to the National Coordination & Advisory Framework (NCAF).
Emergency Services Times October 2014
Information on specific incidents is provided through the FRS Control Room personnel and is submitted through the web portal to which they have access. This allows all FRSs to have a direct link into a central Monitoring and Mobilising Centre (MMC) from where the CFRA will operate should there be any major incidents.
“The system is able to provide the central management team with both incident and resource details across the country.” The CFRA will contact FRS Chief Fire Officers for specific information on incidents as required and, together with other national information, the CFRA will brief the Minister or COBR as necessary. In the absence of the CFRA, there is a cadre of CFOs who make up the National Strategic Advisory Team (NSAT) who may stand as required. Resources from each of the nationally declared capabilities are held on the central database and are able to show current availability in both list and
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map format. This is extremely useful when making operation decisions during spate conditions such as those experienced during the floods last February.
Overcoming hurdles At first the outline specification that was required for the system did not appear too complex, but it soon became apparent that this was not the case. Once the ‘what if’ scenarios were looked into and the issues and recommendations that were recorded from some of the CFOA debriefs were also taken into consideration, it was clear that this was going to be quite a challenge. Consider this hypothetical example: • An HVP from Manchester goes to a Strategic Holding Area (SHA) in Royal Berkshire where the prime mover vehicle drops off the sled with the HVP and 1km of hose • The HVP is taken for use within Royal Berkshire, but the 1km of hose is taken to another SHA in Surrey on the back of a different HVP sled and prime mover vehicle • The original prime mover is then taken out of service for a day for routine safety checks. Many such examples have been considered during the development of the system to enable it to meet the needs of all of the stakeholders for the duration of the incidents. This has also included the Prime Contractor (Babcock International) and how it would support the recovery, decontamination and repatriation requirements following the incident. The electronic system in England will provide the facility to support the Prime Contractor (Babcock International) with up-to-date information on vehicle and module locations, which is especially useful when assets are on long-duration deployments and away from their normal host location, as was experienced during the winter floods 2013/14. Developments on track A significant amount of work has been put into the scoping of the command and control (C&C) project to enable the system to be developed and cope with the extremely large number of variants. This will provide the flexibility required in the recording of assets by the Enhanced Logistics Support teams who manage the assets when a SHA is set up. The end result is that the system is able to provide the central management team with both incident and resource details across the country.
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The CFOA C&C capability has been updated with progress as the project has developed, with CFO Simon Pilling reporting into the National Operation Committee (Chair, CFO Roy Wilsher) and the National Resilience Board (Chair, CFO Dan Stephens). Future developments may be directed from Central Government, the CFRA, the CFOA National Operations Committee or the CFOA National Resilience Board in order to meet each of their needs, with any changes and developments to the system agreed and managed through the C&C capability.
“Support to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games was provided through an adapted version of the FRS Reporting Tool.” Within England, as the system has developed to address each of the stakeholders’ needs, additional functions have been integrated into the original databases in order that it may be used in support of other events or issues with a potential national impact, such as staff shortage. Where specific information is required centrally, bespoke pages may be developed and utilised for the individual FRS to submit their information. This flexibility will allow the Reporting Tool to be developed as directed by the CFRA, DCLG and CFOA. www.fireresilience.org.uk
Visit CFOA (National Resilience) Ltd on Stands Z248 & OS445.
Passing the baton...
Support to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games was provided through an adapted version of the FRS Reporting Tool. Based on a system similar to the England version, but without their individual assets featured, it provided the Games Support Room, based in Johnston, with the ability to monitor all eight of the mobilising areas from one central point, which was being used as the FRS support link into the multi-agency centre.
AACE: championing the modern ambulance service The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) is playing a key role in the ongoing Urgent and Emergency Care Review by NHS Medical Director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh. The review – aimed at providing better and more appropriate health services for the public – is drawing on the experience of patients and all professionals in the NHS and across social care, which is why it is vital that the ambulance service’s views are represented at the highest level. Much of the input has revolved around explaining the huge number of initiatives that ambulance services across the country are involved in to help patients avoid unnecessary trips to hospital and provide faster, better care which alleviates pressure across the whole NHS.
Constant challenge Gone are the days when the ambulance service was seen as simply a mechanism for conveying patients to hospital. Today, with demand for ambulance services at its highest ever, and showing no signs of abating, the 10 NHS services across England are engaged in a constant challenge to find new and better ways to care for patients while meeting the most stringent response targets of any ambulance service in the world. Martin Flaherty, Managing Director of AACE, says, “AACE is showing what the modern ambulance service is doing to help the whole NHS healthcare system. Some people still perceive us as just a blue light service but we are working hard to demonstrate that we are strategically positioned to help alleviate system pressures in both hospitals and primary care, and to highlight the giant advances the NHS ambulance service and the paramedic profession have made in the past decade in terms of their abilities and confidence. “Our underlying message is that we want people to understand the absolutely crucial part the ambulance service plays in the whole NHS picture, we want to show the excellent results we are getting with limited resources and we want to make people realise what could be achieved with more funding.” www.aace.org.uk
Visit Association of Ambulance Chief Executives on Stand Z131.
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Location, location, location New paging and location technology is helping to safeguard emergency services personnel who work alone in potentially hazardous environments. Words: Nigel Gray, Director at PageOne. hydrants, which tend to be positioned in remote or hazardous locations. Accurately monitoring their wellbeing is integral to DFRS while meeting their duty of care and also adhering to health and safety regulations.
Nigel Gray, Director at PageOne.
Paging still remains at the forefront of critical communications technology. Hence why the majority of UK hospitals and a large proportion of fire and rescue services continue to rely on paging to communicate with frontline employees. This specialisation towards critical applications has also seen further advances in this technology, geared towards speeding up an emergency response. For example, Dorset FRS (DFRS) has recently invested in PageOne’s Trio lone worker device to ensure the safety and security of field-based Hydrant Officers. These employees carry out the inspection, test and repair of 14,500 defective
Cloud based messaging solution The Trio device integrates seamlessly with Connect, PageOne’s cloud-based messaging solution, allowing control room staff to easily view the last known location of each employee via a secure web dashboard. The device also incorporates a manual SOS alarm and periodic welfare check that prompts employees to check-in at pre-defined intervals so location information is always accurate and up to date. The recent location information is then tagged on every alert, minimising the potential for delay should help be required. With tilt and motion sensors that can detect impacts, falls or periods of inactivity, which then automatically triggers an alert in the control room, the Trio device provides a sophisticated solution to address health and safety concerns and provides peace of mind to lone working staff.
“We have a duty of care to safeguard all vulnerable individuals, particularly those who spend significant amounts of time working alone or in more remote or hazardous environments.”
Connect is PageOne’s cloud-based messaging solution.
incident response processes. He said, “SOS alerts are auto-forwarded to a pre-defined list of contacts so the right people are notified and kept in the loop. When an alert message is received, there is a link to Google Maps which shows the last known location, along with a date and time stamp meaning we can quickly and easily find and assist staff in distress.” In the course of their day-to-day roles the emergency services frequently put themselves in situations of potential risk. And when something unfortunate occurs the ability of the control room to quickly establish an accurate location, potential hazards and the nearest vehicle access points can make all the difference. We have a duty of care to safeguard all vulnerable individuals, particularly those who spend significant amounts of time working alone or in more remote or hazardous environments. www.pageone.co.uk
Visit PageOne Communications Ltd on Stand E3.
Operational messaging and alerting Outside of lone worker management the device also functions as a two-way pager, offering real-time acknowledged messaging and the opportunity for the user to send back a canned message response. It can therefore be incorporated into normal day-today operational messaging and alerting, providing added resilience to communications while also acting hi-tech lone worker monitoring device. Ian Crabb, Water and Foam Officer at DFRS, explained how it has been incorporated into the service’s
Emergency Services Times October 2014
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Autumn launch for Bristol’s new glove range The Bristol Uniforms stand will be particularly busy this year with a number of new products on show along with a dedicated area looking at the current ICP Technology Refresh programme. The ICP Technology Refresh programme is currently underway with completion due in 2015. A series of exhibits will focus on the ICP’s success over the last seven years, the extensive programme of garment and wearer trials now underway, and looks ahead to next spring when the new ICP/CPCC (Central PPE and Clothing Contract) range will be unveiled. It will provide an ideal opportunity for non-ICP user fire and rescue services to appraise its operational and financial advantages. New users joining from 2015 could reap the benefits over the coming seven years.
Bristol glove using TITAN® 1220 fabric in red.
Fire gloves first In a further extension of its own-manufacture product strategy, Bristol has designed a range of three structural fire fighting gloves to meet EN659:2008 and which have focused on providing class leading protection and manual dexterity. The new gloves, which have been designed by Bristol’s in-house design team as part of Bristol’s New Product Development Programme (BNPDP), have been fully tested by UK firefighters before going into production and will be available in three different fabric combinations. The first product will be available from the autumn of 2014, which is an all-black, soft, flexible leather design incorporating a Gore CROSSTECH® membrane with a Kevlar lining. Special features include silicone finger and palm grips and a knitted Nomex® cuff. Two other gloves in the range, which will be available in 2015, will incorporate Hainsworth TITAN® fabrics – the former using TITAN® PBI 1260 and the latter a TITAN® 1220 in red. In common with the leather glove, these both include a Gore CROSSTECH® membrane with a Kevlar lining. Identifying features include silicone palms, reflective piping, knuckle protectors and knitted NOMEX® cuffs. All three gloves in the range will be available in a wide range of sizes from 6-12 and XXS-XXL. Commenting on the planned autumn launch, Roger Startin, Bristol’s Joint Managing Director, said, “This new fire glove range is further evidence of our long term plan to use our inhouse design experience and capability to bring more own-manufactured firefighter PPE products
Bristol’s all-black, soft, flexible leather glove incorporates a Gore CROSSTECH® membrane with a Kevlar lining.
to market beyond our traditional ranges of specialist coats and trousers. Previously the BNPDP has seen the introduction of fire hoods and a firefighter motorcycle suit in 2012 followed by our new EN469:2005 Level 1 firefighter motorcycle suit earlier this year. We’re looking forward to showing our new gloves at The Emergency Services Show in September.” Bristol’s latest USAR kit, RescueFlex™, HART technical rescue garments for the ambulance service and protective rescue garments for air ambulance aircrews will also be on show. www.bristoluniforms.com
Visit Bristol Uniforms Ltd on Stand J3.
Mariner outboards chosen for water and flood rescue training EP Barrus Ltd is working in partnership with R3 Safety and Rescue Ltd, which is set to become one of the UK’s leading water and technical rescue training providers. R3 courses carry international certification from Rescue 3, one of the world’s largest technical rescue training organisations. Rescue 3 courses are compliant with relevant competencies and standards for rescue agencies and technicians as laid down by organisations such as the UK Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA)/Defra Flood Rescue National Enhancement Project and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The courses have been carefully designed to meet the training and development needs of the safety and technical rescue sectors, focusing primarily on water, rope and inland boat rescue. Swift water capabilities Barrus recently took part in R3’s National Resilience Assurance Team (NRAT) Flood SMA Event where over 20 fire and rescue services undertook swift water demonstrations at Tees
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Barrus recently took part in R3’s National Resilience Assurance Team (NRAT) Flood SMA Event.
Barrage International Whitewater Centre, near Middlesbrough. This purpose-built facility complements the natural river venues of North Wales and guarantees swift water conditions at all times. Barrus supplied a Zodiac FC 470 inflatable boat fitted with a Mariner 50hp outboard engine and a Mariner 30hp, which R3 fitted to an Arancia boat. Paul O’Sullivan, Managing Director, R3 Safety & Rescue Ltd, said, “The engines were great and I
think we were able to highlight the effectiveness of the FC 470/Mariner 50/prop guard and the Arancia/Mariner 30/prop guard combinations. “We operated both boats for two days doing more runs up and down the course than anyone else, including night runs. The only boat able to make it up the channel carrying six people on board was the FC 470/Mariner 50/ prop guard set up,” Paul concluded. Barrus has demonstrated and supplied a number of engines in the past but the company will be sponsoring a Mariner 30hp and a Mariner 50hp outboard engine for R3’s two demonstration boats. Barrus is now working with over 45 fire and rescue services around the UK supplying Mariner two-stroke outboard engines from 25-40hp and other equipment, including water rescue pumps. www.barrus.co.uk
Visit EP Barrus Ltd on Stand A7.
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Wireless gas monitor improves first responder safety RAE Systems Inc, a leader in wirelessly connected gas and radiation detection solutions, has launched the industry’s first wireless, portable, four-gas pumped and diffusion gas monitor that will significantly enhance worker safety in industrial environments and better protect first responders. RAE Systems’ new QRAE 3 is a versatile, rugged, one-to-four-sensor gas monitor that provides continuous exposure monitoring of Oxygen (O2), combustibles, and toxic gases, including Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN). The QRAE 3 is certified for use in hazardous environments, and is designed for use across a broad array of industries where exposure to toxic gas is a constant safety threat. These industries include a broad range of industrial, oil and gas, environmental, first responder and national defence applications. Real-time data When a situation arises, safety officers must make critical, split-second decisions about how and where to deploy resources.
They need access to real-time threat data, which QRAE 3 can provide, to help make faster, more informed decisions to protect lives and property.
“With the QRAE 3, emergency responders now have wireless access to Toxic Twin gas information, which can help protect their long-term health and safety.” The QRAE 3’s wireless communication capability enables access to real-time, remote instrument readings and alarm status – including an innovative ‘Man-Down’ alarm – from any location, for better visibility and faster response. Real-time hazard readings can also be communicated to the ProRAE Guardian Safety System and the EchoView Host Closed-Loop Wireless System for safety-enhancing wireless monitoring outside the hot zone, from a plant safety office or from a remote, enterprise location. This can help facilitate faster, data-driven decision making to alert responders, save lives and protect assets. “RAE Systems has been the industry leader in advancing wireless gas detection technologies that help save lives and assets for more than a decade,” said Thomas Negre, Vice President of Products and Marketing for RAE Systems. “With the addition of the QRAE 3, RAE Systems now offers the most extensive line of area, survey and portable wireless gas detectors making affordable, cutting edge toxic gas detection solutions available to more customers across a broader range of applications. Our wireless monitors include single-gas, four-gas, multi-gas with gamma (radiation detector), transportable multi-gas with gamma and semi-fixed with gamma for enhanced organisational safety.” Toxic Twin gas information “The toxic vapours present in fire smoke, particularly Hydrogen Cyanide and Carbon
Emergency Services Times October 2014
Monoxide, the ‘Toxic Twins’, are increasingly recognised as the most dangerous and deadly part of any fireground operation. As such, it is essential for incident commanders to have access to critical, real-time threat data to help protect personnel from dangerous exposure levels,” said Jason Krusen, Chief of Special Operations at Columbia, SC, Fire Department and President of the FireSmoke Coalition. “With the QRAE 3, emergency responders now have wireless access to Toxic Twin gas information, which can help protect their longterm health and safety.” Breakthrough technology The QRAE 3 offers breakthrough gas detection features and capabilities, including: • Advanced wireless functionality – first and only solution that is rapidly deployable in both closed-loop and global, 24/7 Internet-based systems • Enhanced organisational safety and compliance – organisations can leverage policy enforcement features (RAE Systems AutoRAE 2 bump and calibration stations) to ensure users follow calibration and bump test procedures and that their instruments are working properly • Protection against the ‘Toxic Twins’ – the QRAE 3 provides a wireless fire smoke configuration to detect for the ‘Toxic Twins’ (CO and HCN) • Advanced User Interface – the QRAE 3 features large graphical display, icon-driven user interface through intuitive, two-button operation. The QRAE 3 also includes a ‘Man Down’ alarm and automatic flip screen. All ToxiRAE Pro, MultiRAE and QRAE 3 monitors now feature a similar menu, navigation and icons • Available in multiple, user-configurable monitors – all configurations are available pumped or diffusion, and wireless or non-wireless, and with various sensor configurations. The QRAE 3 includes a three-year warranty on standard sensor • Compatible with RAE Systems wireless safety systems – QRAE 3 real-time threat data can be monitored on mobile devices via the ProRAE Guardian Wireless Safety System, 24/7, through a secure Internet connection, or via the EchoView Host Closed-Loop Wireless System. www.raesystems.com www.honeywell.com
Visit BW Technologies by Honeywell on Stand P58.
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Efficient and effective in the extreme The East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) faces many diverse challenges on a daily basis, one of which is the terrain in the High Peak of Derbyshire. The organisation is committed to providing staff with the right tools for the job and having 4x4 vehicle capability was identified as crucial to enable crews to retrieve patients from remote areas and farms. Two cars – conversions based on the Nissan Pathfinder – currently fulfil this 4x4 role for EMAS. However, one of the vehicles has limited patient carrying capacity due to head space so it can only be used to move the patient to the waiting ambulance for transport to hospital. This is clearly not ideal as it results in delays in the patient’s arrival time. The need to provide better facilities led EMAS’ fleet services department to consider the options available. The choice was narrowed down to two base vehicles – the Land Rover Defender and the VW Amarok. Unfortunately, the Land Rover is due to be discontinued in 2015 and it was felt this might cause problems in future years so this left the Amarok 4x4 as the vehicle of choice. The Amarok has a proven pedigree and has been tested under the most demanding conditions, for example, as the official support vehicle for the Dakar rally in 2010. Having decided on the most suitable vehicle, EMAS began work on developing a specification, which met their needs. The base vehicle is a stretched version of the VW Amarok (VW LONO) with a modular-structured ambulance body. 132kW of engine power, eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive ensures agile performance on tarmac and off road. Work on the chassis extension and body were completed by European specialist partners of VCS, namely VETH and Tamlans, and VCS in West Yorkshire completed the internal conversion and electrical interface to EMAS’ specific requirements. Safety was a very important factor. Tamlans carried out load simulations and practical safety tests in its numerous research facilities. The Amarok body can withstand heavy point loads and retains its shape even if the vehicle was to roll over. The structure of the body is both durable and light – it was subjected to 20G dynamic loads, double the requirement of CEN compliancy. Maintenance Replacing parts and other maintenance tasks have been made as simple as possible. The design of the ambulance provides unobstructed access to maintenance points and adequate space for all tasks. All electronic systems have been placed in one location on the cockpit’s wall. The composite
ambulance body is rustproof and, in case of damage to the cockpit, the body can be reused on a new platform. Design and use EMAS’ Head of Fleet Services, Steve Farnsworth, asked staff that would be using the vehicle for their input in designing the internal layout as they were the best qualified people to know what would be required and, equally as important, what would not. VCS in Huddersfield was commissioned to convert the basic shell and, through the guidance of VCS Sales Engineer Mark Sockett and Sales and Operations Director Mark Kerrigan, was able to produce a working vehicle so the design team could get a feel for the finished product. The only things that were fixed were the Stryker stretcher and the doors.
“The positioning of medical instruments and equipment always requires some compromises but the design team’s goal was never to veer away from making the vehicle as ergonomic and safe for paramedics as possible.” This ‘blank sheet’ approach to the design process with input from engineers and medics resulted in what EMAS feels to be the best possible layout of the vehicle interior. Around 90 percent of the contents of a full size ambulance were slotted into some unusual places! There were many evolutions in the ‘mock up’ stage, which avoided costly mistakes/changes later. The positioning of medical
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instruments and equipment always requires some compromises but the design team’s goal was never to veer away from making the vehicle as ergonomic and safe for paramedics as possible. Every piece of medical and patient immobilisation equipment has its own place, providing easy access for quick use. The joint input from EMAS’ design team, VCS engineers and production technicians has resulted in the best possible finished product.
Improved patient experience The Amarok 4x4 vehicle will help EMAS staff perform their duties more efficiently and effectively under what can often be extreme circumstances. The Amarok 4x4 is capable of going off road to retrieve a fallen walker or cyclist, get to snow bound villages and farms to pick up the patient and then travel to hospital without the need to transfer the patient to another vehicle thus reducing hospital admission times by at least 30 minutes and providing a much improved patient experience. Whatever the challenges posed by terrain or weather conditions (or both) EMAS no longer has to compromise. Its staff will able to offer treatment at the point of injury or illness and then take patients direct to hospital saving vital time, which will be a huge benefit in the most critical cases. www.emas.nhs.uk
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Keeping superbugs at bay The Ebola crisis and the escalating fight against untreatable bacterial and viral diseases show no signs of abating and point towards a new level of risk for paramedics and other emergency responders. Words: Ian Samson, Training Manager, DuPont Protection Technologies. The recent outbreaks of Ebola virus in West Africa and the public fear surrounding the possibility of global transmission has put the risks from highly communicable and non-treatable diseases firmly in the spotlight. Keeping ahead of deadly bacterial and viral pathogens is an uphill struggle and emergency services need to be prepared for the worst. However, without deriding the natural anxiety in the UK over Ebola, the level of public fear is perhaps a little unwarranted given that should this particular disease be detected in the UK it will probably be relatively easy to contain. Unlike some other untreatable diseases, Ebola is not especially contagious and, although highly virulent, its symptoms manifest themselves quickly, which allows for the rapid isolation of those infected. Risk is very real Nonetheless, in an age of two billion air passengers every year and increasingly porous national borders the risk of deadly and difficult to control diseases arriving on these shores is very real and growing. And it is a threat that sits alongside the problem of more familiar homegrown diseases that are fast becoming resistant to modern antibiotics. According to a recent BBC report it is estimated that drug-resistant strains of bacteria are already responsible for 5000 deaths a year in the UK and 25,000 deaths a year in Europe. What is a bio-hazard? A biological hazard – ‘bio-hazard’ – is any biological micro-organism or agent that poses a threat to humans, animals or the environment. In the vast majority of cases, micro-organisms are either beneficial or completely harmless to man. However, a small proportion are highly dangerous, sometimes deadly, and with their tenacity, ease of transmission, ease of replication, tendency to mutate, complete invisibility and unremittingly invasive behaviour, can present a unique challenge when it comes to their suppression and eradication. According to the World Health Organisation dangerous pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and parasites are responsible for over 16 percent of the annual deaths worldwide. Bio-hazards can present themselves in numerous ways and their very omnipresence can make them very difficult to manage and control. Bio-hazards may be bacterial, viral, parasitic or fungal and any source materials, such as contaminated body fluids, tainted packaging and dirty work surfaces are potential bio-risks. Causal origins of biological hazards range from decaying foodstuffs and faecal bacteria to highly virulent medical wastes and germ warfare agents. All of these bio-hazards and many others relate to the presence of infectious biological agents and biologically-derived toxins or
contaminated materials, including organic dusts and mould spores. Bio-hazards also have widely varying transfer mechanisms. Some infectious diseases, influenza for example, can be contracted directly by touch or by inhaling respiratory droplets while others, such as tuberculosis, are mainly spread by airborne transmission. Malaria, on the other hand is transmitted by mosquitoes, while Ebola and AIDS generally require the direct transfer of infected body fluids. Protective procedures and barriers In practice, things are never so clear cut. Ebola, for example, can survive and remain infectious for 48 or more hours outside the human body so it can be contracted simply by contact with a contaminated surface. And this means that stretchers, ambulances, medical equipment and PPE need to be rigorously decontaminated in the event of any possible exposure. Keeping these areas clean to the standard necessary to contain highly virulent pathogens such as Ebola is a challenge in itself and requires money, education and commitment. Such measures would no doubt put the emergency services under considerable strain should Ebola or a similar disease gain a foothold in the UK.
“Stretchers, ambulances, medical equipment and PPE need to be rigorously decontaminated in the event of any possible exposure.” As can be seen from the recent Ebola outbreaks, exposure to biological contaminants can have very serious and rapidly escalating health consequences, which means there is little room for complacency or delay when it comes to putting the correct protective procedures in place. The vast number of potentially dangerous micro-organisms and the huge range of possible biological risk conditions means that the selection of personal protection equipment (PPE) for personnel faced with life threatening pathogens can be a very complex exercise indeed. Cases of paramedics and first responders contracting infectious diseases from patients and then passing them on are not unknown. In addition to effective protection against naturally spreading infections and diseases, there is a need for personal protection in emergency response scenarios whenever biological agents are being manufactured, handled, distributed, studied, administered, neutered, removed or disposed of. The types of sites where these activities can occur
Emergency Services Times October 2014
EU Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO).
include hospital facilities, defence and military establishments, medical and biological research laboratories and biotechnology production facilities. Bio-hazard precautions are also necessary in a wide range of crisis scenarios from flood management operations to trauma scene cleaning to bioterrorism responses. Seeking guidance In all cases of biological hazard exposure a dedicated risk assessment must be carried out on all PPE, ideally with reference to the performance classes described in European Standard EN 14126. Biological agents are classified into four categories and, due to the extremely wide compass of risk involved with infective agents, it is absolutely essential that expert guidance is sought when selecting appropriate PPE for the different levels of hazard. Safety for emergency responders isn’t just about having the right protective gear. The correct training is every bit as important. It is a fact that many cases of biological hazard exposure have been due to lapses of attention or procedure; things that can easily happen in the stressful conditions of an emergency response situation. Armand Sprecher, the medical adviser to Doctors Without Borders for haemorrhagic fevers, affirmed this in a recent interview for NPR in the United States. He said, “Where we see health care worker infections when the PPE is in place, [the worker] did something to override the PPE: they didn't wear it appropriately or contaminated their hands in the process of getting [the suit] off.” Summary In many people’s view it is only a matter of time before a major national or international medical emergency occurs involving an incurable or very difficult to treat disease. The risks are hard to quantify; the difference between an isolated case and a global pandemic might be a single infected traveller stepping undetected off a plane. But if and when such a disaster strikes it will be the emergency services that put themselves on the line to protect, serve and support the public. We need to be preparing now to ensure this is a battle we do not lose. www.dupont.com
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