EST Feb 2012

FEBRUARY 2012

VOLUME 13 | 1

Introducing the new X Series defibrillator/monitor from ZOLL. Xtremely Small, Light and Powerful

ᔡ News: joint working initiatives across the UK include shared stations and FPOS training ᔡ Olympics: Minister for Crime and Security updates readers on Olympic security preparations ᔡ Efficiency savings: cutting costs without lowering standards ᔡ Public Order: searching a common European approach ᔡ Profile: West Midlands Multi Agency Emergency Services Unit ᔡ Coping with severe weather: articles from Transport Scotland, the Met Office and the Cabinet Office ᔡ Excelerate’s wireless satellite broadband solutions ᔡ RUSI research into helicopter use by the emergency services ᔡ British Heart Foundation promotes hands-only CPR ᔡ A guide to some of the latest products and services available

Learn more at www.zoll.com/ukxseries www.emergencyservicestimes.com

ISSN 1472-1090

CONTENTS | 1

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Regular features First Words James Brokenshire, Minister for Crime and Security, updates readers on the Government’s Olympic security preparations

3

News Joint working initiatives highlighted, plus interim HQs announced for national emergency services in Scotland and opinions divided on more collaboration between emergency services in London

5

Events A review of The Emergency Services Show 2011, plus a round up of forthcoming events

11

Contracts & People Merseyside FRS’s new command and control vehicle, Bristow wins SAR helicopter contract, plus changes at the top in South Yorkshire

22

Profile West Midlands Multi Agency Emergency Services Unit (MAESU) and The Emergency Planning Society’s Human Aspects Group

28

Company Profile How Excelerate Technology’s satellite broadband, wireless video and other solutions can assist the UK’s emergency services in dealing with the challenges of the coming year and beyond

32

Page 16 – Q&A: The Government’s Olympic security preparations.

Inside this issue Olympics

Public Order

A Q&A with the Minister for Crime and Security; ambulance services gear up for the Games; and Babcock looks at resilience issues, including asset management

The Godiac Project to find a common European approach to policing demonstrations; the performance of the Airwave Network during last August’s riots comes under scrutiny; and training journalists to report safely from public order situations

16

CPR Guidelines British Heart Foundation promotes hands-only CPR with its ‘Stayin’ Alive’ campaign, plus Zoll Medical launches a CPR training app

25

Temporary Mortuaries Geoff Gubb, from Community Resilience UK, addresses delegates at the INTERPOL DVI Select Committee conference

31

55

Severe Weather Update on the Cabinet Office’s Get Ready for Winter campaign; the services offered by the Met Office to the emergency services; and Transport Scotland’s Multi-Agency Response Team brings key improvements to severe weather response in Scotland

43

Efficiency Savings Examples of services cutting costs without lowering standards while improving productivity and efficiency

55

Product Information Rugged wireless keyboard, GPS tracker for SAR, mobile scene lighting, first aid app, battery-powered combi-tools and more

60

Last Words Jennifer Cole, Research Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, looks at the highlights from the institute’s research into the use of helicopters by the UK’s emergency services

64

Page 43 – Emergency services on high alert during the severe weather.

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2 | A-Z

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Companies Company Name

Page No

AA SORT ..........................................................................................51 ACPO National Police Air Service.............................................8, 64 Advanced Health & Care ...................................................................8 Airwave..................................................................................13, 17, 37 Aligned Assets...................................................................................22 Armadillo Merino.............................................................................13 Arqiva.................................................................................................23 Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) ................................31 AutoSock UK....................................................................................50 Avon and Somerset Police Constabulary .........................................6 Axis Security .....................................................................................22 Babcock International......................................................................21 Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust................23 Bott.....................................................................................................42 Bristol Uniforms.........................................................................22, 60 Bristow Helicopters Limited...........................................................23 British APCO 2012...........................................................................13 British Heart Foundation..........................................................25, 27 British Red Cross....................................................................5, 43, 62 British Transport Police.............................................................18, 39 Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service ...................................14 BullEx Digital Safety........................................................................22 Bytec Embedded...............................................................................60 Cabinet Office ...................................................................................43 Cadcorp..............................................................................................58 Cambridgeshire Search and Rescue................................................49 Centre for Research in Emergency Services and Training.............8 Chartered Manager's Institute.........................................................23 Chief Fire Officers' Association ......................................................14 Clayton of Chesterfield ....................................................................13 Community Resilience UK .............................................................31 Confederation of Passenger Transport............................................47 Connexion2 .......................................................................................60 Cosalt..................................................................................................40 Department for Communities and Local Government......8, 45, 51 Department for Culture, Media and Sport ....................................28 Department of Food and Rural Affairs ..........................................45 Devon & Cornwall Police ................................................................23 Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service ..............................22 Dilitas Ltd.........................................................................................39 Directgov ...........................................................................................43 Dragonwear .......................................................................................13 East Midlands Ambulance Service ...................................................8 East of England Ambulance Service ....................................5, 25, 49 Edexcel.................................................................................................8 Emergency Planning Society...........................................................28 Environment Agency...........................................................43, 45, 49 Essex & Herts Air Ambulance ........................................................50 Essex County Council ......................................................................43 European Agency for Safety and Health at Work...........................5 Excelerate Technology......................................................................32 Flood Forecasting Centre ................................................................45 Freight Transport Association.........................................................47

Company Name

Page No

Company Name

Page No

Fuzhou Safemate Worldwide Co Ltd .............................................13 Fylde Coast Medical Service .............................................................8 Grampian Fire and Rescue Service.................................................23 Greater London Authority ..........................................................5, 55 Greater Manchester Police...............................................................40 GRITIT..............................................................................................51 Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service..................................................22 Gwent Police .....................................................................................32 HAAGEN Fire Training Products..................................................22 Health Protection Agency ...............................................................49 Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary ..................................23 Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.........................22 Highways Agency .............................................................................21 HM Treasury .......................................................................................6 Home Office........................................................................3, 6, 16, 17 Hunter Apparel Solutions................................................................13 Incident Live 2012 ...........................................................................14 Independent Ambulance Association ........................................6, 22 Institute for Animal Health.............................................................45 Intergraph..........................................................................................57 INTERPOL.......................................................................................31 Iveco ...................................................................................................18 Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance.........................................6 Kinetic Special Vehicles...................................................................18 Lakeside Films Ltd..........................................................................53 Land Rover........................................................................................51 Lightsoutblinds.com ........................................................................60 Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue.....................................................5, 22 Liverpool Hope University ...............................................................8 LOCOG .......................................................................................17, 21 London Ambulance Service..................................................5, 21, 55 London Assembly's Health and Public Services Committee ......55 London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.............5, 23, 55 London Fire Brigade .......................................................5, 14, 23, 55 Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service..............................22 MacNeillie .........................................................................................23 Mercedes-Benz..................................................................................23 Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service ..........................................8, 23 Merseyside Police ...............................................................................8 Met Office..............................................................................43, 45, 47 Metropolitan Police Service....................................17, 21, 37, 39, 55 Midland Rover Owners Club 4x4 Response....................................6 Mitre Blue Light...............................................................................40 Mountain Rescue England and Wales............................................53 National Flood Forum .....................................................................49 National Policing Improvement Agency .......................................37 Norfolk Constabulary.........................................................................5 Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service ......................................................5 North Wales Police ...........................................................................57 North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust ....................................8 North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service........................................5 Northamptonshire Police...................................................................8 Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service ......................................8

Pacific Helmets .................................................................................29 PBI Performance Products ..............................................................23 Perth and Kinross County Council ................................................51 PID Systems........................................................................................5 Police Federation of England and Wales .......................................37 Police Service of Scotland..................................................................6 Police Specialist Public Order Training Centre ............................39 Polyco.................................................................................................40 Polymark............................................................................................13 Prime Media Safety ..........................................................................39 Primetech (UK) Ltd.........................................................................18 RAM Mount UK...............................................................................62 Resources Services Group................................................................22 Road Haulage Association ...............................................................47 Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service ......................................32 Royal United Services Institute ......................................................64 RUD Chains......................................................................................50 Safety Focus Global..........................................................................13 Salvation Army .................................................................................43 SATRA...............................................................................................13 Scottish Environment Protection Agency .....................................45 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service......................................................6 Siemens Healthcare ..........................................................................23 South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust................................5 South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service................................22, 23 SP Services (UK) Ltd ..........................................................27, 42, 62 St John Ambulance Service.........................................................8, 43 Strathclyde Fire and Rescue............................................................32 Suffolk County Council ...................................................................51 Surrey Police .....................................................................................32 Swedish National Police Board.......................................................35 Swedish Police ..................................................................................35 Teijin Aramid ....................................................................................60 Thames Ambulance Service ............................................................22 Transport Scotland ...........................................................................47 Trident Sensors .................................................................................60 Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service ........................................22 UK DVI .............................................................................................31 University of Wolverhampton...........................................................6 Vimpex Limited ...................................................................29, 40, 62 Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service ............................................6 Weber Rescue Systems .....................................................................62 West Midlands Ambulance Service ................................................28 West Midlands Fire Service ................................................22, 28, 32 West Midlands Multi Agency Emergency Services Unit.............28 West Midlands Police ..............................................22, 28, 40, 42, 58 West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service............................22, 32, 33 West Yorkshire Police.......................................................................23 Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show ......................................13 WRVS.................................................................................................43 Zoll Medical Corporation ................................................................27

Company Name

Company Name

Advertisers Company Name

Page No

AA SORT ..........................................................................................44 Amputees in Action..........................................................................36 AutoSock UK....................................................................................48 Avon Inflatables Ltd ........................................................................46 Babcock International......................................................................41 The BMH Group ..............................................................................10 British APCO 2012........................................................................IBC British Red Cross..............................................................................20 Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service ...................................15 Capita ..............................................................................................IFC Cardiac Science .................................................................................26 Civil Defence Supply Ltd................................................................34 Cosalt..................................................................................................36 Excelerate Technology Ltd........................................................32, 33

Page No

Goliath Footwear ..............................................................................48 HAAGEN Fire Training Products..................................................38 Incident Live 2012 ...........................................................................63 Life Connections 2012 .....................................................................12 Lyon Equipment Limited ...........................................................9, 61 Mitre Blue Light...............................................................................34 MiX Telematics.................................................................................54 NAPFM 2012 ....................................................................................48 Niton 999 Equipment.......................................................................36 North Fire PLC ................................................................................41 Peli Products (UK) Ltd ...................................................................38 Physio-Control..................................................................................26 Pickup Systems Ltd ...........................................................................4 Primetech ..........................................................................................19

Page No

Red Box Recorders Limited............................................................19 Rigiflex...............................................................................................48 RSG Engineering Limited...............................................................26 RUD Chains......................................................................................44 Ruth Lee Limited.............................................................................46 RVG....................................................................................................52 SP Services (UK) Ltd ............................................................OBC, 30 Strongs Plastic Products ..................................................................59 Vauxhall ...............................................................................................7 Vimpex Limited................................................................................29 W L Gore & Associates....................................................................20 Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show ......................................56 WILL-BURT ....................................................................................59 Zoll Medical..............................................................................OFC, 2

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FIRST WORDS | 3

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Date:

February 2012

Editor: David J. Holden MEng(Hons) Twitter: @999editor davidholden@brodenmedia.com Advertisement Manager: David Brown davidbrown@brodenmedia.com Advertisement Sales: Carol Fox carolfox@brodenmedia.com Office & Events Manager: Lesley Stevenson lesleystevenson@brodenmedia.com Marketing Manager: Emma Nicholls emmanicholls@brodenmedia.com Circulation: Christine Knoll admin@hpcpublishing.com

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“We are ready; let the Games begin.”

The testing of our plans, structures and responses to ensure they can deal with any incident is vital. It will make sure our plans are refined well in advance of the Games. The most recent of these, Exercise Forward Defensive, tested an overt and covert response to a terrorist incident in London There is no doubt amongst during the Games, where the Government and the police James Brokenshire, Minister for Crime and Security initial response of emergency service that together we responders and their partners was critical. want to deliver a Games where the sporting Additionally it gave everyone involved, including the achievement and the Olympic spirit is what people Government and Ministers, an opportunity to test will remember – not the security. strategic plans and decision-making in a crisis.

That said, the safety and security of everyone The anticipation and expectation is starting to involved in this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games is a top priority for the Home Office and the grow with the Torch Relay starting its tour across the UK in May, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee rest of Government. The UK continually hosts celebrations in June and the biggest sporting show major sporting events, state visits and world on earth starting in July. We are applying the summits. The police and emergency services have important lessons we have learnt in our own substantial experience of these events and are journey to the Olympics to our planning, so that we successful in keeping them safe and secure. It’s this can be sure we are fully ready. expertise, which will come to the fore at the Games.

Safety and security is a vital part of ensuring we host a spectacular and successful event. Our approach will be reassuringly visible but discreet.

We’ll provide safety and security that is consistent across the country and keeps the sporting and cultural events centre-stage during this historic occasion. We want people to be talking about our Olympic and Paralympic athletes: Tom Daley, Rebecca Adlington, Ellie Simmonds and Beth Tweddle, to name just a few.

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London Mayor Boris Johnson meets emergency services during Exercise Forward Defensive.

Photo: UK Home Office

Studio work by Keystrokes, Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex Tel: 01273 453300 keystrokes@btconnect.com

However nobody is complacent or underestimates the scale of the safety and security challenge the Games presents.

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the Organising Committee, and other key agencies respond to a range of incidents.

This will be a memorable year for the UK. As well as Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, we play host to the Olympic and Paralympics Games for the first time in more than 60 years. The spectacle of sporting excellence and achievement and cultural celebration will be incredible and will show to the world the Great in Great Britain is.

Many emergency services staff will be involved in the ongoing programme of testing and exercising of key plans and structures. These are thoroughly flexing our command, control and coordination arrangements for the Games, examining how police and emergency services, Government departments,

I believe that the efforts and experience of this exciting year will further enhance the reputation and respect that our police and emergency services command. They will strengthen abilities to work together in the future. They will also put us in a position to be able to say to the world: That we are ready for the Games to begin.

James Brokenshire Minister for Crime and Security You can read more on the security preparations for the Olympic Games on pages 16-17 in our Q&A with the Minister.

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Search and rescue facility is a national first A new facility designed to provide specialised, realistic training for search and rescue professionals is nearing completion. The pioneering facility was designed by Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team and allows training for a number of scenarios that could realistically happen here the UK. The building, which is based on a collapsed school, is the first of its kind in the country and is based at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue’s Waddington training site. It can serve for any number of scenarios, allowing search and rescue teams from all over the world to practise for deployments abroad or to meet domestic needs in an emergency such as a gas explosion or an earthquake.

The building itself features a main hall, off which are classrooms and reception rooms, all equipped as a normal school would be, including desks and chairs. Walls and roofs of

www.norfolk.gov.uk www.norfolkfireservice.gov.uk Follow @Norfolkfire

In brief . . .

A portable alarm system that can film thieves and link them to crimes using DNA technology in remote locations has been hailed by police as a major step towards helping to combat a massive rise in the theft of metals, diesel, building materials and agricultural equipment. The Alarmed and Traceable Technology Solutions System (AATTS), developed by Kilmarnock-based PID Systems, is the first purpose-built wireless alarm system for protecting vulnerable properties and locations to be approved and recommended by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

the facility have also been built to pivot, allowing for training scenarios to vary.

Lincolnshire’s Waddington training site, a former MoD weapon and ammunition store that has been developed into a unique search and rescue training site, is the biggest of

its kind in the country. Located just south of the city of Lincoln, it can facilitate technical search and rescue, shoring, large animal rescue, trench rescue, safe working at height/line rescue and canine search operations on purpose-built rigs and areas. www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/LFR

Shared station a Opinions divided on potential savings first for Norfolk from collaboration in the Capital

Fire Minister Bob Neill (shown above) has officially opened a new £1.25m retained fire station in Sheringham, Norfolk, and, in a first for the county, the building is being shared with East of England Ambulance Service and Norfolk Constabulary.

Harry Humphrey, the fire and rescue authority’s Cabinet Member for Community Protection, said, “This is an exciting move for all concerned and we are delighted to be able to work so closely with our emergency service partners in this way.

“To my mind the emergency services sharing premises makes absolute sense rather than each having separate buildings. The Sheringham model could be replicated elsewhere should the opportunity arise.”

Funded by Tesco as part of the development of the site of the former fire station, the new two-storey building houses a fire engine, personnel quarters, accommodation for a neighbourhood policing team and a response base for the ambulance service.

NEWS | 5

The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) has released a report suggesting that millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money could be saved by sharing more fire stations with the ambulance service.

In its response to a GLA report into the future of the London Ambulance Service (LAS) (see page 55), the fire authority report goes further and suggests that more joint fire and ambulance stations, a joint headquarters and collaboration between control rooms could deliver an even better service to Londoners.

Chairman of the LFEPA, Cllr Brian Coleman, said, “The London Fire Brigade is already delivering a world class fire and rescue service for the people of London and by working more closely with the ambulance service we could provide an even better emergency service at less cost.

At the moment, the London Ambulance Service shares facilities at three fire stations but this could be just the tip of the iceberg. Together, the fire brigade and ambulance services should look at the potential benefits to Londoners of sharing a range of services from procurement, to property and 999 control centres. No options should be off the table when it comes to the London Fire Brigade and the ambulance service working more closely together.”

Responding to LFEPA, London Ambulance Service Chief Executive,

Peter Bradley, said, “While we are happy to discuss opportunities for greater collaboration between emergency services, we believe it is vital that the London Ambulance Service remains part of the NHS. “The suggestion that savings of £500m could be made by merging stations is completely unrealistic. We respond to around 1.1m incidents a year with a budget of just £283m – providing excellent value for money.

“Our award winning emergency control room is the busiest in the world. We take nearly 1.5m calls a year – more than all 46 English fires services put together. And it costs Londoners just £30 a head for our service compared to £60 per head for the fire service.

“We do want to work more closely with our emergency partners. Where it is operationally practical, we will look at sharing facilities and at joint purchasing arrangements. We are in the process of organising a meeting at a senior level with the Metropolitan Police Service and the London Fire Brigade to improve collaboration between services. However, our job is to deliver clinical care to Londoners and, as the London Assembly review concludes, we can do this most effectively if we remain integrated within the health service.” www.london.gov.uk www.londonambulance.nhs.uk Follow @ldn_ambulance

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www.pid-systems.co.uk

Emergency services workers should be better protected against occupational hazards, particularly in light of current environmental, economic and political developments, which suggest an increase in the number and severity of events in which such workers may be involved. This is the conclusion of a recent report from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), which discusses both general and specific hazards that emergency workers can face and provides a wealth of data from various European countries on deaths, injuries and ill health among emergency services personnel. It also suggests preventive measures that can be taken at employer level to minimise the risks to such workers. http://tinyurl.com/EUOSHA

A new fire and emergency support service (FESS) from the British Red Cross is now on-hand to give vital support to victims of fires, floods and similar emergencies in North Yorkshire.

The Red Cross launched the service on 1 February in partnership with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, who will call on the Red Cross when they are attending a fire to give support to the individuals or families affected. www.redcross.org.uk Follow @BritishRedCross

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust (SCAS) has been voted Fleet Safety Champion of the Year (Public) at the recent Fleet News 2011 Fleet Van Awards. Rick Stillman, Head of Fleet, received the award on behalf of SCAS at a prestigious awards ceremony in London on 7 December 2011. www.scas.nhs.uk Follow @SCAS999

6 | NEWS

In brief . . .

The University of Wolverhampton’s campus was transformed into an ‘emergency village’ on 28 February to launch two innovative degrees: an MSc Emergency Planning, Resilience and Response; and a unique Postgraduate Certificate in the Management of Passenger Transport Emergency Incidents. The new courses have been developed with input from industry experts and aim to equip emergency and passenger transport professionals with the skills to deal with major incidents, such as accidents or terrorist attacks. They will be delivered by the University’s School of Health and Wellbeing from April 2012. www.wlv.ac.uk Follow @wlv_uni

A London hospital has donated more than £5000 worth of surplus medical equipment to Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance. The kit bags, patient vacuum mattress, safety helmets and overalls were given to the life-saving charity by Newham University Hospital.

The donation follows a revision of Emergency Department services at the hospital in line with London’s trauma network planning. Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance often flies patients to the major trauma centre at the Royal London Hospital, which is merging with Newham Hospital. www.kssairambulance.org.uk Follow @SxAirAmbulance

Avon and Somerset Police Authority and Constabulary have been granted permission by the Home Office and HM Treasury to appoint Blue Light Partnership consortium as their PFI partner. Led by Bilfinger Berger Project Investments and comprising Miller Construction and Cofely, the consortium will design, build, finance and operate a new operational base, two custody and crime investigation centres, two police stations and a triforce firearms training centre. An allocation of over £129m of PFI credits will be made by HM Treasury in order to deliver this ambitious programme.

Construction will commence in September 2012, with the first building completed in January 2014 and the last in March 2014. www.avonandsomerset.police.uk Follow @ASPolice

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Warwickshire chief welcomes 4x4 funding Locations announced for Scotland’s interim national police and fire headquarters

Warwickshire Chief Fire Officer Graeme Smith (right) welcomes news of The Midland Rover Owners Club 4x4 Response Big Lottery Funding grant.

Graeme Smith, Warwickshire’s Chief Fire Officer and Chair of Warwickshire Prepared, has welcomed news that a group of 4x4 drivers who voluntarily use their vehicles to help communities in all weather conditions, has enhanced its service with a Big Lottery Funding grant.

The Midland Rover Owners Club 4x4 Response, a sub-group of the long-established MROC, is a volunteer organisation, which has formed a partnership with local authorities and brings assistance in emergency situations when the vehicles can be of unique use.

The funding of almost £10,000 has allowed the group to develop its response service, purchasing protective clothing and enabling members to train and certificate in off-road driving, winching techniques and vehicle recovery thus increasing capacity to support a growing geographical area,

which includes Coventry and Solihull.

Graeme Smith said, “This is very welcome help to a group who carry out an incredible service to communities – not just their own – and which relies on the generosity and good will of its volunteers. It means that there will be more support for emergency services when destinations are snowed in, flooded or off road.

“Their support can make a critical difference to emergency services and other public bodies and how effectively they can respond at times of need.

“It is typical of the volunteers’ positive attitude towards putting something back into communities that this richly deserved grant has been earmarked for developing the service to increase its capacity. We are delighted to have them as a partner, helping us to protect the people of Warwickshire.”

directors is: Rob Ashford, Chief Executive, Thames Ambulance Service; Dickie Henderson, Managing Director, Mediforce; and Craig Wood, Director of Care, Quality & Workforce Development, ERS International Group.

A second board of independent non-executive directors has been named to oversee the governance of the association’s affairs. They are: Alan Howson, Employer Partnership Manager at Pearson, owners of Edexcel & BTEC; Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive, The Patients Association; and David Worskett, Director of the NHS Partners Network.

Mr MacAskill said, “The transition to the new services should be as smooth as possible and using existing venues as interim headquarters will keep costs and disruption to a minimum. Regardless of where the small leadership teams are based, local services with strong connections to the communities that rely on them will continue to be at the heart of the new police and fire services.

“I warmly welcome the decision of the services to base their leadership teams at Tulliallan Castle and Perth Community Fire Station on an interim basis. The final decision on where headquarters will be based will of course be a matter for the new Scottish Police Authority and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, however I would expect the various support services to be based in locations around the country.

“Both of these locations are suitable as convenient, cost-effective, flexible venues for the new leadership to lead a smooth transition and ensure communities across Scotland continue to experience excellent police and fire and rescue services.

“Importantly, neither of the locations are current headquarters, and this will help ensure that there is no disruption to the public or to senior officers during the transition to the new services.”

www.iaauk.org Follow @theiaauk

www.scotland.gov.uk Follow @KennyMacAskill

www.mroc.co.uk

New voice for independent ambulance industry The Independent Ambulance Association (IAA), the first not-for-profit organisation to act as the voice of privately owned companies that are regulated by the Government’s Care Quality Commission (CQC), was launched on 23 January.

The IAA has been established as a company limited by guarantee; with all its revenues, mainly from membership subscriptions, devoted wholly for the benefit of members and to achieve the industry’s prime commitment to deliver unrivalled care and safe and dignified transport services for patients.

As a benchmark for membership, the IAA will only accept applications from those companies or services that are registered or in the final phase of registering with the CQC. The association’s first board of

The Scottish Government’s Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill, has welcomed the announcement that the interim headquarters of the Police Service of Scotland will be based at the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan Castle and the interim operating base for the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be based at Perth Community Fire Station.

Subject to Parliamentary approval of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill, these arrangements will be in place before the new services are operational – they are expected to be established on 1 April 2013.

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8 | NEWS

In brief . . .

Fylde Coast Medical Service (FCMS) is one of the first out of hours primary care providers in England to pilot the Department of Health’s new initiative, NHS 111, which will become the route to accessing urgent care across all of England by April 2013. Advanced Health & Care’s Adastra IT patient management system has been selected by both FCMS and North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust to deploy NHS Pathways, a clinical assessment tool that enables prioritisation and triage over the telephone. www.advancedcomputersoftware.com/ahc

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) has earned external accreditation for the quality of training its firefighters in command are given to manage incidents. It becomes only the fifth fire and rescue service in the country to win the seal of approval from Edexcel, which is a feather in the cap for the in-house Learning and Development team that developed the Initial Incident Commander Development course. www.notts-fire.gov.uk Follow @nottsfire

The policing minister, Nick Herbert has announced plans to make an order requiring the police service and police authorities to collaborate in the provision of a national air service.

ACPO National Police Air Service lead, Chief Constable Alex Marshall, said, “The Policing Minister’s intentions to make an order requiring the police service to collaborate in the provision of air service supports the National Police Air Service (NPAS) proposals for a truly national, borderless service.

The service will ensure effective coverage of urban and rural areas as well as bringing improvements in operational efficiencies and innovative contracts.” www.acpo.police.uk Follow @PoliceChiefs

Following a management buy out on 5 January 2012, Broden Media Limited, formerly Emergency Services (mmc) Limited, is the new publisher of Emergency Services Times magazine and its Who’s Who Directory and the organiser of The Emergency Services Show and Emergency Scotland exhibitions. Modern Media Communications Ltd, will continue to publish Fire Times magazine, alongside its titles in the metals industry: Aluminium Times, Cast Metal & Diescasting Times and Iron & Steel Today. Both companies would like to thank their customers and suppliers for supporting them and look forward developing closer working relationships over the coming years. www.brodenmedia.com Follow @999editor

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Network for emergency services launched in Liverpool

Isle of Dogs. Other occupants include the brigade’s emergency planning team, which is able to coordinate the emergency planning work of London’s boroughs when circumstances dictate a London-wide solution, such as the snow of previous winters.

The building will also house the Fire and Rescue Service National Coordination Centre (FRSNCC), which is due to move from West Yorkshire to Merton in April this year, bringing London and national fire service emergency planning under one roof in time for the Olympics.

Taking over 250,000 calls a year, London’s is the busiest fire control in Europe.

A joint initiative between East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS), St John Ambulance and Northamptonshire Police was launched in Kettering and Northampton Town Centres during December. The Dynamic Emergency Care Centres (DECCs) provide assessment areas in an ambulance and professional medical care and life-saving equipment to assist people for whom an evening has not gone to plan, and they have suffered an injury or illness either through no fault of their own, or by enjoying one drink too many.

During Friday and Saturday nights in December, staff at the Northampton DECC treated 54 patients on scene, and only eight ambulances were required to take a patient to hospital for further treatment. On five dates over the Christmas and New Year period the Kettering DECC treated 39 patients on scene, and only nine ambulances were required to take a patient to hospital for further treatment.

This means the DECCs potentially saved 93 ambulances being deployed during the service’s busiest time, and meant they could respond to other emergencies across the county.

It also saved 93 potential patient attendances to the hospital A&E departments.

The service will now be available in both towns between 10.00pm and 4.00am every Saturday night and during other key dates in the year, ie Christmas, New Year, Bank Holidays etc. The DECC is staffed by an EMAS paramedic or emergency care practitioner (who has extended diagnostic and treatment skills), two St John Ambulance staff and two Northamptonshire police officers.

Ken Robinson, Assistant Commissioner Operations/Events, St John Ambulance, said, “We have been working with EMAS for a number of years and continue to work in partnership to deliver patient care. This new venture further cements our working relationship with the emergency services and we are proud to supply our resources of a mobile unit and staff.”

www.london-fire.gov.uk Follow @LondonFire

www.emas.nhs.uk Follow @EMASNHSTrust

Answering questions at the event: (From L to R) Jon Murphy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police; Paul Kudray, Director of Resilience for the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust; Steve McGuirk, County Fire Officer and Chief Executive at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue; and CREST Director Paresh Wankhade.

The Centre for Research in Emergency Services and Training (CREST) was launched at Liverpool Hope University in February with senior representatives from the emergency services in the north west attending.

CREST will bring together the latest research and developments in the emergency services to encourage joined up working among the different services.

The centre will focus on academic research and training for all emergency services, including fire and rescue, police, and the ambulance service, as well as more specialised services such as the coastguard, air-sea and mountain rescue.

Merseyside’s Chief Fire Officer, Steve McGuirk, said, “The emergency services face a raft of challenges, be that the threat of terrorism, limits to finances or climate change, and we stand the best chance of success if we all work together. CREST is a fantastic opportunity for us and will provide the emergency services with a space to think and innovate both individually and collaboratively. It is

wonderful that we have this resource in the north west to enable us to take the initiative for our community.”

Paul Kudray, Director of Resilience for the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said, “We are committed to working with the other emergency services to provide the best possible service for our community. The launch of CREST is a fantastic addition to our efforts to collaborate together effectively and share best practice. I look forward to exploring the ways in which we can work together in the future.”

Dr Paresh Wankhade, CREST’s Director, said, “We hope that be providing a platform for interaction and sharing of ideas for the emergency services, we can build on an already fantastic service. We are looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the emergency services as we strive to examine ways in which the quality of service and relationships between the different groups can be improved.” http://crest.hope.ac.uk

LFB’s new control open ready for Olympics Fire Minister Bob Neill MP opened the new London Fire Brigade (LFB) operations centre in Merton on 1 February. The building, in which some 100 control staff work a sixwatch system, was originally specified and built as part of the failed regional FireControl project, which was abandoned in December 2010. An agreement has been reached between London’s fire authority and the Department for Communities and Local Government that is expected to deliver savings of around £600,000 to the brigade. The Government is also paying £2.25m towards the future purchase of a new ‘999’ mobilising system.

The brigade’s control centre has moved from its former home on the

City centre care service allows ambulances to respond to emergencies

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Record numbers visit The Emergency Services Show 2011 The Emergency Services Show 2011 is celebrating its most successful year yet, as a record number of visitors attended the unique show and conference, which took place from 23-24 November at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

But don’t just take our word for it…

An astounding 4475 visitors attended the ‘all under one roof’ two-day show indicating that even in these economically tough times, the emergency services sector is still fully committed to discovering innovative equipment and services, which will improve public safety.

“Over 999 reasons to visit the Emergency Services Show 2012.”

AWG Fire and Rescue Equipment “Exhibiting at The Emergency Services Show each year has the priority within our sales and marketing plans and budget.”

Ian Shipstone, Clark Masts Systems Limited “An excellent show that sets a good example and promotes inter-agency cooperation by bringing together organisations and industries involved in the work of protecting communities.”

Glyn Morgan, The Fire Officers’ Association

Over 400 exhibitors were spread over three halls, including the popular Emergency Response Zone, which hosted representatives and live demonstrations from police, fire and rescue, and ambulance services, government and voluntary organisations from around the UK. One of the highlights of the event was demonstrations of the riot control water cannon, kindly supplied by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, which allowed

visitors to view first-hand this topical and widely discussed piece of equipment.

This year the decision was made to make the show’s conference a one-day event and, for the first time, free of charge. This was in recognition that organisations’ budgets have been cut and in many cases, restrictions put in place regarding individuals attending events. The CPD (Continuing Professional Development) accredited conference featured a top line of speakers on topics ranging from ‘Effective Social Media for Emergency Services’ to ‘Health & Safety on the Frontline’.

Event Director David Brown said, “The amount of positive feedback from both visitors and exhibitors this year has been unbelievable. The show is growing year on year and is fast becoming a must attend event within the industry, which is reflected in the show’s record number attendance.

We are very much looking forward to preparing for our next show in 2012.”

The Emergency Services Show 2012 Show takes place from 21-22 November 2012. www.emergencyuk.com Follow @999editor

“We were surprised at the high number of existing customers who came to see us, which was excellent for customer relations.

We also met one or two potential new customers who we could not possibly have reached in any other way.”

Paul Dollemore, Responder Technology Ltd “Regardless of whether you’re a supplier, buyer or end-user, if you attend only one UK emergency services show in the year, ESS at Stoneleigh is the one!”

Jeremy Dawkins, Southcombe Brothers Limited “ESS 2011 appeared to be the busiest yet. Atmosphere was buzzing with more visitors to our stand than ever before. A very positive show.”

Ashley Beard, Thomas Jacks Ltd “Excellent show, all aspects of emergency services requirements represented.”

Bob Mearns, East of England Ambulance Service “A must attend event for all involved in pre-hospital emergency care.”

Mark Fleetwood, FrontierMEDEX “The ideas show for anyone involved in Emergency Response!”

Rosie Moran, Operations Officer, British Red Cross “For all you need to know, want and need in an emergency, visit The Emergency Services Show 2012.”

Terry Clarkson, HMP Garth “The Emergency Services Show – meeting the challenges of a changing world.”

Niall Kenny, Paramedic, Civil Defence, Ireland “The Emergency Services Show brings together a great collection of the country’s leading suppliers to showcase current and new products. It’s a great place to meet suppliers, forge new relationships and see what’s new and improved.”

Richard Lush, 1st Response Medical Services Ltd “The Emergency Services Show was fantastic, the high levels of diversity amongst the different services coming together was phenomenal. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and look forward to next year!”

Katie Wallis, Thames Valley Police “An excellent event that encompasses a number of emergency service and equipment suppliers under one roof. An event that has evolved over the years to be one of the “not to be missed” annual events.”

John Bradley MBE, Fleet Manager, Hampshire Constabulary

Photos: Arun Marsh

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Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show set to be the best yet The eyes of the workwear and corporate clothing world will be on the Ricoh Arena, Coventry from 17-18 April at the UK’s biggest ever Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show. If you are looking to equip your staff with clothing, footwear or accessories, forge new business partnerships or source new products and services, then look no further than this year’s show.

Now, more than ever, it is vital that buyers find real value for money and make every pound they spend stretch further. The Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show represents a perfect opportunity for individuals to research and source the best products and services the sector has to offer, network with suppliers and manufacturers and build new business partnerships cost effectively under one roof.

Global outlook Truly international, the 2012 Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show will welcome more than 2000 visitors and more than 60 exhibitors from over 20 countries, from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India, China and the USA. Now in its fifth year, the Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show is a must-attend occasion for global manufacturers, buyers, suppliers and everyone with an interest in any aspect of commercial workwear, corporate clothing and PPE. Managing Director of the Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show, Yvette Ashby, says, “Such is the international prestige of the show that we are preparing to welcome a huge

trade delegation from China with the China Workwear Association booking a number of stands at this year’s event to showcase the best of what China has to offer. With the Chinese workwear industry now estimated to be worth some £23 billion, approximately 10 times the value of the European market, this represents a significant and exciting opportunity for European suppliers.”

New exhibitors for 2012 The very best of what the USA has to offer will be represented by Safety Focus Global, a key supplier of high quality PPE and its US partner Dragonwear, a manufacturer of lightweight, breathable, high visibility clothing that is fire and arc resistant. Also new to the show this year is Armadillo Merino, an innovative manufacturer specialising in next-to-skin personal protection clothing using the unique properties of Merino wool. Merino wool has natural breathability helping to reduce over-heating as well as providing warmth when worn as an insulating layer and doesn’t generate odour so garments can be worn for days. In addition, the wool has natural flame retardant properties with a high ignition temperature of between 570°C and 600°C. Further new exhibitors include: Fuzhou Safemate Worldwide Co Ltd, an exporter of workwear and outdoor wear and Clayton of Chesterfield, specialists in heavy leather production.

Returning favourites The show welcomes back exhibitors who fully support and come to the Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show each year, including: Hunter Apparel Solutions, who will showcase its signature

uniforms and premier service to key decision makers across the industry; Polymark and its wide range of items for textile identification and decoration; and leading research and technology organisation SATRA; plus many more.

And there’s more...

If that wasn’t enough, the first ever Professional Clothing Awards will also take place, a black tie gala award dinner, which offers unique networking opportunities for everyone who’s anyone in the industry.

To make sure you don’t miss out on everything the 2012 Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show has to offer, pre-register online for free today. www.workwearshow.com

British APCO Development Sessions programme announced

British APCO 2012 takes place from 16-17 April at Manchester Central and delegate registration for the event’s Development Sessions is now open. The sessions will deliver high-level debate from key players in the industry as well as informed opinion from external sources.

Two central themes for the event will be: TETRA vs/with LTE; and the use of social media in critical incidents as well as in daily communication by the services. Cost saving and deployment of constrained resources will inform all debate. Key sessions will include: Leading US thinker Robert Le Grande on the path from LMR to Broadband

wireless communications. Drawing on experience of the first public safety wireless network in Washington DC, Robert will outline how to prepare for the next generation platform; the Director of IT for Tesco will deliver a session on cost savings with new ITS installations; and Jamie Bartlett of the Guardian newspaper will present a view on how extremists use social media.

In one of a number of sessions from industry leaders looking at the potential of 4G/LTE, Euros Evans of Airwave and Jeppe Jensen of TCCA will examine the potential and the dependencies of LTE for public safety, considering both voice and data requirements. This session will involve an open discussion of control room and information management requirements in both fixed and mobile environments.

Telecoms in 2012 The ‘Beyond our Wildest Dreams?’ session will take a wide-ranging look at how 2012 may shape up. Papers include: Unraveling the complexities around the Public Protection and Disaster Relief spectrum issue; and does ICT help or hinder in bridging the funding gap in the UK and Europe?

The closing social media session on Tuesday 17 April will offer a high level panel discussion on the many challenges facing all services and agencies dealing with emergency communications. Panelists will bring a wide range of opinion and experience to the table and delegates should expect rigorous debate.

Passes for the Development Sessions include free entry to the exhibition, offering the opportunity to see and assess the future public safety communications systems, services and technologies from 100 leading suppliers.

The event also presents a number of exciting new features for 2012, including free social media surgeries, the BlueLightCamp ‘unconference’ and demonstrations of future in-vehicle technologies.

Visit the website for further information. www.bapco.co.uk Follow @BritishAPCO

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USAR conference looks to the future Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service is to host a unique conference looking at the future of urban search and rescue (USAR) and special rescue. The event, The future provision of special rescue skills to society: It’s more than Urban Search and Rescue, takes place on Thursday 12 April and will feature key speakers from the Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA), the Government and shadow government, the EU and the USA. Denis O’Driscoll, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Service Delivery Manager for Buckinghamshire, said, “We believe this is the must-attend event of 2012 for decision-makers, staff working in this discipline, planners and equipment suppliers. It will provide the opportunity for a fresh examination of where we are now and where we need to go for the future, based on changing risk profiles and the economic outlook.

Rescue workers during a multi-agency exercise in Buckinghamshire.

“We have managed to secure top-class speakers and facilities in an exciting location, and we believe the conference offers exceptional value for money.”

The one-day event will take place from 9.00am to 6.00pm at the Doubletree by Hilton hotel – part of the MK Dons’ stadiummk complex – in Milton Keynes. A networking dinner will be held at the venue on the evening of 11 April.

A 20 percent early bird discount is currently

available: £199 + VAT for dinner, bed, breakfast and full-day conference including lunch, or £99 + VAT for the full-day conference including lunch.

The full prices are £240 + VAT for the dinner, accommodation and conference package and £120 + VAT for the conference package.

To book a place, please e-mail: usarconf@bucksfire.gov.uk. You will receive an acknowledgement e-mail followed by confirmation and payment details.

Topics and speakers Confirmed topics and speakers include: ‘The national position from CFOA’s perspective, including current performance and readiness’ – CFO Roy Wilsher, CFOA Director Operations Response; ‘Maximising the existing investment – what is already being achieved and what else is possible?’ – CFO Jon Hall, CFOA National Resilience Lead; ‘The future – what will happen when this cycle of investment is over?’ – Shadow Party Spokesman Chris Williamson MP; ‘Olympics 2012, preparing for the worst – the role of the fire service in preparing for global events’ – Ron Dobson, Commissioner, London Fire Brigade; ‘Innovations and developments in the use of special rescue equipment and teams’ – CFO Dan Stephens, National CFOA Lead; and ‘Technical rescue in the USA’ – Chief Steven R Cover, Virginia Beach Fire Department, USA. With more speakers still to be confirmed, other topics being arranged include: Civil resilience is more than a fire and rescue service issue; International dimensions of technical rescue; The future needs – a view from government.

Those being advised to attend include: fire and rescue service leaders and authority members; USAR/special rescue staff, equipment manufacturers and suppliers; CCA Category 1 and 2 Responders; NGO responding agencies; and anyone with an interest in USAR/special rescue.

Hazmat 2012 Crowne Plaza, Birmingham http://the-ncec.com/hazmat-event/

6-7 March

Interspill 2012 ExCel, London www.interspill.com

13 March

The UK Cyber Security Strategy: 27 March 2012 Reducing Risk, Maximising Opportunities in the Digital Age Central London http://events.publicpolicyexchange.co.uk/CC27-PPE3 Aeromedical Clinical Conference 28 March Ford Dunton Technical Centre, Basildon www.ehaat.uk.com The future provision of special 12 April rescue skills to society: It’s more than Urban Search and Rescue Doubletree by Hilton, Milton Keynes www.bucksfire.gov.uk British APCO 2012 16-17 April Manchester Central (formerly GMEX) www.bapco.co.uk Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show Ricoh Arena www.workwearshow.com

17-18 April

Counter Terror Expo 2012 Olympia, London www.counterterrorexpo.com

25-26 April

Life Connections 2012 Kettering Conference Centre www.lifeconnections.uk.com

3-4 May

www.bucksfire.gov.uk

Test the latest vehicles and frontline equipment at Incident Live Emergency services operators can experience and test the latest range of vehicles and equipment at Incident Live, a new exhibition taking place at Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire from 12–13 June 2012. Personnel from police, fire and ambulance services (including military, public and private sectors), Highways Agency and recovery agents, coastguard, mountain and other rescue organisations and health and safety officers are invited to attend this new, free two-day event.

Expected to attract more than 1000 visitors, Incident Live will focus on two key themes: initial response – featuring all the rapid response appliances needed to get to an incident as quickly and safely as possible; at the scene – focusing on the incident on the ground itself, with equipment for frontline responders such as lighting and scene

Forthcoming Events

protection, special rescue equipment, protective clothing and life-saving medical equipment.

Group Manager Bill Sherry said, “From driving the latest fast response vehicles to witnessing advanced new cutting tools, right through to simulated real-life disasters, police, ambulance and fire and rescue services and other and partner agencies, will be able to test the latest technology and compare the full range of peace-keeping and life-saving equipment. Heralding a new and invigorating way of exhibiting. Incident Live will immediately set new standards of experiential learning and knowledge sharing within our sector.”

Incident Live is being organised by Policing Today and Fire magazine publisher, Pavilion Publishing. www.incidentlive.com Follow @FIRE_Editor and @PolicingToday

Incident Live 2012 Milbrook Proving Ground www.incidentlive.com

12-13 June

NHS Transport 2012 Maple House, Birmingham www.sbk-healthcare.com

19 June

Road Safety Week 2012 www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk

19-25 November

The Emergency Services Show 2012 Stoneleigh Park www.emergencyuk.com Follow @999editor

21-22 November

Lone Worker Safety 2012 Conference & Exhibition Olympia Conference Centre www.loneworkersafetyexpo.com

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Olympic security on track says Minister With less that five months until the opening ceremony on 27 July, James Brokenshire, Minister for Crime and Security, highlights how security preparations for the London Olympic Games remain on track and emphasises his confidence in the operational plans put in place by the emergency services and their partner agencies.

EST: How are the series of testing events progressing from a safety and security perspective?

James Brokenshire (JB): Planning for safety and security at the Games started before the bid was won and has continued at pace ever since. To ensure our strategy is as robust as possible we are testing our plans, structures, and exercising how government departments, the Organising Committee, police and emergency services, and other key agencies respond to a range of incidents.

These exercises are well underway. For example, in September 2011 an exercise took place testing all aspects of Games-time planning, including the effectiveness, resilience and the decision-making capability of key games-time structures.

In December 2011 Government Ministers joined more than 2000 key 2012 Games-time staff in operation centres and Games-venue locations across the capital and the country. The exercise mirrored the busy competition schedule of days four, five and six of the Games and tested staff who had to deal with a wide range of issues including extreme weather conditions, transport disruption on the tube and rail networks, and security threats that may impact on a smooth running Games.

In February, set within the context of the Games, a live-play multi-agency counter terrorism exercise

was held. From this we were able to test and evaluate the safety and security arrangements for responding to a major incident in London during Games time and to practice participants in their roles.

Further exercises are planned in the final run-up to the Games; we will leave nothing to chance to ensure we deliver a safe and secure Games that London, the UK and the world can enjoy.

“We will leave nothing to chance to ensure we deliver a safe and secure Games that London, the UK and the world can enjoy.”

EST: How confident is the Minister in the plans put in place by the police and their partner agencies to deal with any threats identified?

JB: Since we won the bid the UK police, the wider emergency services and their partners have been

James Brokenshire, Minister for Crime and Security.

preparing their operational plans for this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games. Their combined effort in pulling together the greatest peacetime security operation continues to be very impressive.

Through our testing and exercising programme I have seen first hand how command, control and coordination has been integrated across the safety

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and security piece while managing a range of scenarios including extreme weather conditions, transport disruption on the tube and rail networks, and security threats that may impact on a smooth running Games. I’m confident that all this planning remains firmly on track.

EST: How will resourcing issues be handled, ie maintaining ‘business as usual’ while large numbers of officers are seconded to the Olympic sites?

JB: Maintaining high operating standards during Games time has been at the forefront of emergency responders’ plans. By starting early and working together organisations have been able to look at the demand profile for 2012 across the UK and incorporate these into the overall resource picture.

For example working with police forces across the country the police have been able to estimate demands for officers, with 12,000 on duty across the UK on peak days and 9000 in London alone. This work has been done while also considering specialist requirements, mutual aid arrangements, training and annual leave requirements and other events happening in this busy year.

the geographical spread of the Games. It will pay for the costs of planning teams, police officers’ overtime and officers on mutual aid and also for logistics and infrastructure, such as increased CCTV coverage at key venues.

Separately the Government will be contributing £553m to LOCOG to enable them to fulfil their venue security responsibilities. This includes the protection of the 100-plus competition and noncompetition venues across the UK. It will fund security personnel and their recruitment and training costs, and security infrastructure, including the search and screening equipment of around 2000 x-ray machines and walk through metal detectors, around 60km of security fencing and 30 control rooms.

The cost of all policing and venue security comes within the £9.3bn public sector funding package for the Games.

The safety and security operation for the Olympics and Paralympics will also draw heavily on the existing substantial investment in counterterrorism capabilities.

EST: Where else has this funding gone?

JB: There has been a substantial investment in safety and security for the Games. The allocation of £475m for policing and wider security includes: upgrading and enhancing the capability of police Gold control rooms, including Hendon and the Special Operations Room at Lambeth. This includes additional command and control terminals, upgrades to the capability to view CCTV from terminals, more operational pods to manage incidents and various enhancements to technology; creating the Olympic Intelligence Centre, which is now operating; expanding the capacity of the Airwave radio system, to ensure that every single officer working on or around the Olympic venues will be able to use it as their primary source of communication; and creating the multi-agency National Olympic Coordination Centre (NOCC) to oversee safety and security operations at Games time. www.homeoffice.gov.uk Follow @ukhomeoffice Follow @JBrokenshire

EST: How much money has Government provided to secure the Games?

JB: The UK is hosting the biggest and most high profile event it has held in living memory and we have invested significantly to ensure the safety and security of the public and our international visitors.

We expect the additional costs of policing and wider security for the Games to be £475m and we are confident that the programme can be delivered within this amount. Obviously, security is not an area where corners can be cut so we have said that £600m remains available, should it be required.

This funding will pay for a comprehensive safety and security programme. The police will be the biggest recipients, with the Metropolitan Police Service getting the largest single share, reflecting

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Partnership approach develops BTP’s Silver command unit Primetech (UK) Ltd, the integrated mobile communications specialist, has joined forces with Kinetic Special Vehicles to develop a mobile Command and Control Unit (CCU) for the British Transport Police (BTP).

With the onset of the Olympic Games in 2012, BTP had identified the need for a new, bespoke 21st century vehicle that could meet their exacting requirements. The CCU was the first to be designed for the BTP in 10 years, and was developed in partnership with a team comprising personnel from the Central Operations Unit, Vehicle Fleet Management Department, and IT and Communications Department within BTP. The brief was to provide two tactical Silver Command units, which would be able to handle all civil contingencies and could be easily deployed at large scale public events, beginning with the New Year’s Eve celebrations in London. “To enhance ground-level communications and ensure that Silver Command can direct from the scene, we needed communications that could be relied upon wherever the vehicle was stationed,” said Graham Tillett, BTP Fleet Manager. “We wanted a mobile office in the truest sense of the word.”

roof-mounted transportable satellite system was installed on the CCU, which enables real-time voice, data and video information to be shared with Gold Command.

Large touch screen display under detachable awning for outdoor briefings.

Unique emergency environments Kinetic Special Vehicles has over 30 years’ experience of handling conversions for the emergency services. Mark Catley, Sales & Marketing Director of Kinetic Special Vehicles, explained, “Our work has given us an understanding of the unique emergency environments in which our clients operate. We develop our techniques and services to take account of new technologies and the evolving demands of our clients. In this case, mobility, reliability and the maximisation of internal space were key requirements.”

Iveco provided the basis of the conversion. Kinetic then developed a robust vehicle structure, which would house Primetech’s latest technology.

“Integrated communications technology is crucial for delivering interoperability,” said Henry Walker, Director of Primetech. “There needs to be a reliable flow of critical information to and from different tiers of command, multiple agencies and at regional, national and international levels.”

Much of this centres around the delivery of a Common Operational Picture (COP), ie the capability to collect and share multi-dimensional information. In turn, this is very much reliant on satellite technology, ensuring communication even when there is no conventional service. Primetech’s

external, mast-mounted Infra-Red CCTV camera; all images can then be streamed via the satellite links to a secure server where they can be accessed

by Gold Command and other authorised agents.

“We wanted a mobile office in the truest sense of the word.”

Working environment A practical and spacious working environment was created inside the CCU along with the capability to configure a seated internal meeting room and two bespoke workstations. Primetech’s new secure, rugged mobile computer systems were installed, chosen both for their performance and their compact size. The Rhino MPCS (MultiPurpose Computer System) has on board 3G, GPS tracking, VGA, multiple USB/serial ports, Wi-Fi and four camera digital video recording unit with instant playback – invaluable for providing multiple sources of information. It’s complemented by Rhino Atom, a solid-state replacement for conventional desktop style PCs. “Both of these ingenious systems come in a small box weighing just 4lbs,” Henry continued.

Wall-mounted external and internal touch flat screen monitors with whiteboard functionality allow for simultaneous briefing sessions. They enable Silver Command staff to view TV news and live video images transmitted into the vehicle from the

Internal spacious working environment.

Both Primetech and Kinetic Special Vehicles pride themselves on providing a very personal service.

“A real bonus was the partnership approach that made it a surprisingly pleasurable and straightforward experience. There was excellent communication between all parties, ensuring that we were advised and involved every step of the way during the production process,” concluded Graham Tillett. “We worked hand in hand with both companies to develop a bespoke solution that has met all our tactical, strategic and technological requirements within available budgets. We are extremely proud of the resulting CCUs and look forward to seeing them in action.” www.primetech.co.uk www.kinetic.uk.com

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20 | ADVERTORIAL

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CROSSTECH® fabrics If your risk assessment has identified a specific risk from blood borne pathogens, then CROSSTECH® fabrics will deliver the solution, while keeping the firefighter dry and protected from heat and flame. CROSSTECH® fabrics far exceed competitive products in test laboratories and in the field.

The CROSSTECH® family of products also includes CROSSTECH® garments with AIRLOCK® Spacer Technology, which is part of the Integrated Clothing Project solution and uses revolutionary AIRLOCK® Spacer Technology to create an insulating air cushion. The result is a garment that can be lighter, creating greater freedom of movement for the wearer.

CROSSTECH® fabric is used in structural fire fighting ensembles and specialised urban search and rescue suits as well as boots and gloves.

GORE-TEX® fabrics If your risk assessment has not identified blood borne pathogens as a specific risk for your firefighters then the range of GORE-TEX® fabrics will provide a durable, waterproof, breathable

solution that delivers protection far in excess of laboratory test standards. GORE-TEX® fabric is also available with AIRLOCK® Spacer Technology variant in structural fire fighting garments. www.gore.com

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Olympic-sized resilience The 2012 Olympics is set to be the most exciting sporting occasion ever to be hosted in the UK. Key to its success is ensuring that the event is safe and secure, and it is with this focus that Babcock’s Mobile Assets business is supporting its emergency services customers in both the large-scale preparation and delivery of the Games.

When the Olympic flame arrives in May, it begins an epic 70-day journey through 1000 cities, towns and villages carried by 8000 torchbearers. Its significance, combined with huge public interest, requires national fire and resilience support in the event of an incident. This means that Babcock will be working with the National Resilience Assurance Team (NRAT) to ensure that the equipment Babcock manages for them, comprising 650 vehicles and 175,000 stock items of equipment, is available throughout the relay.

With sporting events nationlly at venues seating up to 80,000 people, the emergency services have prepared for the challenges of dealing with large gatherings of people. Babcock has supported over 100 national and regional exercises, including live play events, which are testing resilience capabilities that include decontamination and urban search and rescue.

Babcock will be providing 24/7 support to the Metropolitan Police Service’s (MPS) operational fleet, which includes a phased lead in and out. To enhance this support, Babcock has set up a dedicated Olympic planning room, named LOGO (London Olympic Games Office) at its Park Royal facility in West London. This is the base for planning adaptations to its service provision to ensure the MPS have the fleet availability they require for the Olympics. Babcock will also manage and maintain dedicated MPS Olympic fleet vehicles, as well as providing 24/7 maintenance support at the emergency service muster points

remain unaffected. As a result, the level of planning has been unprecedented, and Babcock has played a key part in the preparation plans and exercises.

“Further, our dedicated teams have deferred leave to ensure our customers have the highest levels of support over the event, with Babcock providing local accommodation for employees to ensure the minimum of disruption to our services as we go about our everyday business.”

being established around the City of London, from the start to the end of the Games. This includes providing additional Mobile Maintenance (MMU) support and capabilities.

Huge logistical operation Babcock has been working with one customer, the Highways Agency, in addressing the affected Regional centres and additional routes required to cover the 2012 Olympic events. This includes the routes accessing sailing in Weymouth, where Babcock has secured additional workshop coverage with Dorset Police in the event of a vehicle defect.

Paul Wilkins, Emergency and Critical Services Director within Babcock’s Mobile Assets business, said, “The Olympics is the world’s biggest peacetime project, presenting the range of challenges associated with a huge logistical operation. It’s easy to forget that the emergency services sector is not only providing 24/7 support to the event, but ensuring that frontline services

Babcock’s support services Babcock is one of the leading engineering support services organisations within the emergency services sector. It manages the Metropolitan Police Service’s 4000 operational fleet that travels in excess of 63 million miles each year. Daily, Babcock delivers 500 maintenance hours and processes over 1000 calls. The Fire and Rescue National Resilience capability is supported by Babcock, managing over 600 defects and 300 scheduled maintenance events each month, while optimising fleet availability.

Babcock also supplies, manages and supports the Highways Agency vehicles. The fleet travels more than 20 million miles each year, with each vehicle requiring monthly servicing.

Babcock is recognised for its innovative approach and best practice. Its electronic T-card screen, proved an industry first, while aiding the reduction in repair turnaround times for the Metropolitan Police Service by 50 percent. www.babcock.co.uk

Ambulance services gear up for Games With less than six months to go to the London 2012 Games, it’s full steam ahead for London Ambulance Service (LAS) staff. The service will work with colleagues from other ambulance services across the country to provide frontline staff in Games venues, working alongside medics from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

Head of Olympic Planning at LAS, Peter Thorpe, said, “The Games is the biggest sporting event in the world and is a great opportunity for our staff as well as colleagues from other ambulance services to be involved, as well as a chance to demonstrate to a worldwide audience that we offer a world-class service.

“It’s also a good opportunity for those staff in sporting venues to experience working with the wide range of expert clinicians employed by LOCOG. However, while a lot of the attention will be on the venues themselves, we are very focused on making sure we maintain our service to our patients in the rest of London.”

The service is expecting an average increase in demand of around five percent during the Games.

Around 220 staff from other NHS ambulance services across the country will support London frontline and control staff – making it around 440

staff dedicated to the Games. Peter added, “We’re looking at different ways to manage demand – for example putting bicycle responders or foot teams in busy areas such as Stratford and St Pancras stations.”

Special training Frontline staff working during the Games are receiving special training. This includes a general introduction to the Games, disability awareness training such as caring for patients with hearing, visual impairments and learning disabilities, learning basic sign language, public order awareness and major incident training.

The training has already been delivered to the majority of London Ambulance Service staff working during the Games and is currently being rolled out to colleagues from around the country.

London Ambulance Service Practice Learning Manager Alan Taylor, who developed the training package, said, “It’s important that all ambulance staff understand the complexity of the Games and are properly trained to the same standards. During the Games we’re required to work together as one ambulance service – as one unit.” www.londonambulance.nhs.uk Follow @ Ldn_Ambulance

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22 | CONTRACTS & PEOPLE

In brief . . .

Russ Smith, former Chief Superintendent for West Midlands Police, has been appointed National Security Director at Resources Services Group for the British arm of the company. Resource, which provides outsourcing staff to the private and public sectors in the UK and Ireland, has also further bolstered its security expertise with the appointment of Neill Pow as National Security Operations Manager. www.resource-group.com

Rob Ashford, Chief Executive, Thames Ambulance Service, has been appointed the first Chairman of the newly formed Independent Ambulance Association (IAA) for companies regulated by the Care Quality Commission. Read more about the IAA on page 6. www.iaauk.org Follow @theiaauk

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Deputy Divisional Commander Andy Ford has recently qualified as an assessment mission expert with the European Civil Protection Commission meaning he could be called upon in the event of a disaster to assess, coordinate and monitor the needs of the affected country. As Lincolnshire’s UK ISAR coordinator, DDC Ford has been deployed to Haiti in 2010 and Japan in 2011.

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First service to take PBI black leads Bristol’s PPE success stories South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has become the first fire and rescue service (FRS) in the UK to re-equip its firefighters with new PPE incorporating a PBI black outershell. Bristol’s Ergotech Action™ structural kit is being supplied as part of a Fully Managed Service Contract (FMS) and has recently been deployed for its 900 firefighters, located at 23 fire stations across the county.

This is just one of a number of recent PPE contracts that have specified new coat and trouser combinations as fire and rescue services take advantage of the latest technical fabrics and wider colour options.

West Midlands Fire Service took delivery of its new navy and red PPE using a Nomex Titan™ outerlayer during last summer, which is part of an eight-year head-to-toe supply contract requiring 1800 sets. Devon and Somerset FRS has ordered a further 1000 sets of PPE incorporating a Nomex Titan™ outershell.

www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/LFR

Axis Security has secured a contract to supply access control and concierge duties for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s headquarters.

Stew Watson, Head of Estates at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said, “The services that Axis provides us will enhance our existing security systems in ensuring our headquarters site continues to enjoy a fully integrated protected solution.” www.axis-security.co.uk Follow @AxisSecurity

Jimmy Campbell, the Chief Fire Officer of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, who has recently been seconded to work on the reform of the Scottish fire and rescue services, will retire from his post on 8 March 2012.

Former Deputy Chief Fire Officer Alex Clark, who has been in the role of Acting Chief Fire Officer since 7 November 2011 will continue in the role of Chief Fire Officer until the reform is implemented. www.lothian.fire-uk.org Follow @LBFire

The Channel Islands have become an interesting Bristol success story across the emergency services sectors with their PPE now being supplied

Symphony Bluelight, the country’s most advanced emergency service gazetteer management system from Aligned Assets, has been formally released to the UK market.

for firefighter structural use, airport fire fighting and ambulance services.

Both Guernsey and Jersey airports are using Bristol fire kit. Alderney and Guernsey firefighters are now both wearing Bristol PPE with Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service becoming the first Bristol user in the UK to use PBI Matrix as the outershell of its new structural PPE, which was deployed in December 2011.

In other developments, more fire and rescue services are including USAR kit as part of their PPE wardrobe, which has resulted in both West Yorkshire and Hereford and Worcester fire and rescue services recently taking 50 sets each.

Industrial firefighters also feature, with the recent purchase of Ergotech Action™ fire coats and trousers by Derby-based Rolls Royce Submarine Nuclear Power Plant for their firefighters and special Nomex coveralls for their Health Physics team.

Andy Hird, Managing Director, Aligned Assets.

After four months of intensive development work and the successful live deployment at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, all police forces, fire and rescue, and ambulance services can start to integrate the Ordnance Survey’s AddressBase Premium into their frontline and back office systems.

tions critical to preparing them to do what their jobs require because they are safer, healthier, more comfortable and more functional,” said LION CEO Steve Schwartz. “With HAAGEN and BullEx as part of the LION group, we offer another critical aspect of readiness – effective training equipment to make sure first responders are more knowledgeable, more proficient and more prepared to do their jobs.”

HAAGEN has built fire training facilities around the world, including the Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Training Centre in Glasgow.

Combining a corporate gazetteer management system, web services, data matching software and the ability to automate updates to all other systems, Symphony Bluelight is a comprehensive software suite, built in collaboration with the emergency services to address their specific needs and requirements. It will enable them to hold AddressBase Premium, import change-only updates, build in and maintain local records, add access points, security classifications and high priority flags to addresses, plus incorporate a customisable list of abbreviations to make searching the data far more intuitive and user-friendly.

Aligned Assets announced on 14 February the appointment of Andy Hird as the company’s new Managing Director.

www.lionprotects.com Like at www.facebook.com/lionconnects

www.aligned-assets.co.uk/bluelight Follow @alignedassets

www.bristoluniforms.co.uk Follow @BristolUniforms

LION acquires HAAGEN and BullEx HAAGEN Fire Training Products and BullEx Digital Safety are joining the LION organisation. Together The Netherlands-based HAAGEN and the Albany, New York-based BullEx and companies form the world’s largest provider of fire training systems and centres as a new division within the LION organisation called the LION Training Resources Group.

This group will benefit from the strong synergy within the LION organisation, especially with the LION Safety Resources Group, which develops and manufactures PPE for fire, military and police personnel.

“LION has a legacy of offering first responders unprecedented innova-

Gazetteer management system goes multi-agency

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CONTRACTS & PEOPLE | 23

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New C&C vehicle for Merseyside

South Yorkshire makes changes at the top

One of the most advanced command and control (C&C) units ever to be commissioned by a UK emergency authority has entered service with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.

The fully self-sustaining unit is capable of simultaneously capturing, coordinating and integrating three separate layers of multi-agency communications in real time. In addition, it can effectively apply its own wireless mesh network around an entire fireground – as well as hosting real time links with Gold and Silver command centres, external media channels, a free-sat television system and even a Heli-Tele option.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority has appointed Jamie Courtney as the county’s new Chief Fire Officer (CFO) just days after South Yorkshire Police Authority announced the appointment of David Crompton as the new Chief Constable for the county.

The Accident and Emergency department at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, part of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is carrying out improved trauma examinations following the installation of an ACUSON X300™ ultrasound system from Siemens Healthcare.

In addition to rapidly verifying the diagnosis in patients who require immediate surgical intervention, the Accident and Emergency department is also using the new ultrasound system for Focus Assessment Sonography in Trauma (FAST) assessment. www.siemens.com/healthcare Follow @SiemensHealth

David Crompton, Chief Constable for South Yorkshire.

Jamie Courtney, the county’s new Chief Fire Officer.

David Crompton, as the new Chief Constable for South Yorkshire, takes over from Meredydd Hughes who retired from the force in October 2011. Mr Crompton joins South Yorkshire Police after previously holding a number of roles at West Yorkshire Police. He has been Assistant Chief Constable for local policing and Assistant Chief Constable for Territorial Operations before becoming Deputy Chief Constable in 2008.

At West Yorkshire Police, Mr Crompton has been leading proposals to save more than £100m over the next three and a half years as part of a cost reduction strategy.

www.macneillie.co.uk

Mr Courtney has been in the CFO role on an interim basis since April 2011 following the departure of Mark Smitherman. He joined South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service in November 2006 and has held a number of highlevel roles, including Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Area Manager – Head of Emergency Response and Assistant Chief Fire Officer for Service Delivery.

Bristow wins SAR contract

International growth prompts PBI restructure

The Department for Transport announced on 8 February 2012 that Bristow Helicopters Limited has won the contract to provide search and rescue (SAR) services in the north of Scotland. The company will provide SAR services starting July 2013, using Sikorsky S-92 helicopters based in Stornoway and Sumburgh. Operations under the contract are expected to run for four years.

Mike Imlach, Director of Bristow, said, “We are very much looking forward to renewing relationships with the MCA, emergency services and local communities in northern Scotland, working in partnership to once again provide vital search and rescue services to the UK public. As we take over the service, Bristow will work closely with the current operator to ensure that staff eligible for transfer, achieve a smooth and seamless transition during this organisational change.”

The continued growth of its international business has prompted PBI Performance Products, the leading manufacturer of flame resistant fibres, to make key promotions within the company’s global sales team.

Ian Callaghan is promoted to the position of Director of International Sales and Marketing. In this role he will develop the application of PBI fibres into new international markets and end uses. Ian will continue to report to Helmut Zepf, Vice President of International Marketing and Sales.

Amy Ulrich has been appointed Senior Market Development Engineer, International Military and Law Enforcement markets. Amy will be responsible for developing PBI fibre solutions in these sectors worldwide and will continue to report to Kim Henry, Vice President of sales and Marketing, North and South America.

Ian Callaghan.

www.bristowsar.com

www.pbiproducts.com

Amy Ulrich.

Built by specialist vehicle converter and integrator, MacNeillie, in close collaboration with Telent, Merseyside’s ICT provider, the Incident Management Unit (IMU) as it is called, carries a crew of two and is deployed automatically to any incident which requires more than three appliances.

In brief . . .

www.southyorks.police.uk Follow @sypoliceauth Follow @syptweet

Chief Constable Stephen Otter, who is in the last year of a fixed term contract with Devon & Cornwall Police, has been successful in his application for the role of Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary. A leaving date is yet to be agreed. www.devon-cornwall.police.uk Follow @DC_Police

Grampian Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager David Rout has been awarded the title of Chartered Manager by the Chartered Manager’s Institute, in recognition of his commitment to personal and professional development within the service. www.managers.org.uk www.grampianfrs.org.uk

Arqiva, the communications infrastructure and media services company, has appointed Susan Fox as Sales Director for the Government team, within the company’s Government, Mobile & Enterprise business unit. Susan will lead a team across the UK to manage relationships with Arqiva’s 100+ customers in the government sector, including the Metropolitan, Warwickshire and Strathclyde police forces, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the RNLI and established companies such as BAE Systems Detica and National Express. www.arqiva.com Follow @arqiva

London Fire Brigade’s Dany Cotton has confirmed her position as the UK’s highest-ranking operational woman firefighter following her appointment to the role of Assistant Commissioner.

Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority Councillor Brian Coleman said, “I am delighted to welcome a woman to such a senior operational post. This is welcome news for the UK fire service.”

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www.london-fire.gov.uk Follow @londonfire

CPR GUIDELINES | 25

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Stayin’ Alive – promoting hands-only CPR Every single year, 30,000 Brits go into cardiac arrest outside of hospital. Cardiac arrests can happen anywhere and at anytime but half are witnessed by someone – a stranger, family member or work colleague. The sad thing is less than one in 10 will survive cardiac arrest and only 3000 out of 30,000 will leave hospital alive. However, survival rates could be improved if more bystanders stepped in and did cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) – one of the most important things anybody can do to help someone survive cardiac arrest.

The reasons many people don’t help have been revealed in a new survey from the British Heart Foundation (BHF), which is now promoting hands-only CPR. The charity’s poll shows nearly half of people were put off helping because of a lack of knowledge about CPR. A fifth of respondents worried specifically about the thought of the kiss of life or catching an infectious disease.

The UK-wide survey also revealed four in 10 people feared they’d be sued if they did something wrong, despite the fact there’s never been a successful case of its kind in the UK.

“If you’re untrained or unconfident about the kiss of life give hands-only CPR a go instead – it could help save someone’s life.”

The BHF says without CPR of some kind there is a very small chance of someone surviving cardiac arrest. So, backed by the Resuscitation Council UK, the charity now says anyone who doesn’t have CPR training should ignore the kiss of life in favour of ‘hard and fast’ chest compressions – or hands-only CPR. TV advert A TV advert, featuring Hollywood hard man Vinnie Jones, helped to show how simple handsonly CPR can be, encouraging more people to help if somebody is in cardiac arrest. The charity is even urging people to hum the Bee Gees classic Stayin’ Alive to get the tempo of chest compressions right.

Ellen Mason, Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said, “The kiss of life can often be daunting for untrained bystanders who want to help when someone has collapsed with a cardiac arrest. Hands-only CPR should give lots of people the confidence and know-how to help save someone in cardiac arrest, the ultimate medical emergency.

It’s been shown that hard, fast and uninterrupted chest compressions are better than stopping compressions for ineffective rescue breaths.

“It’s very simple; call 999 and then push hard and

fast in the centre of the chest at a tempo similar to Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees. If you’re untrained or unconfident about the kiss of life give handsonly CPR a go instead - it could help save someone’s life.”

Community resuscitation The campaign is being backed by many of the UK’s ambulance services, including the East of England Ambulance Service, who will promote the charity’s messages via the web.

Dr Pamela Chrispin, Medical Director of EEAST, said, “This new campaign by the BHF will hopefully mean more people are more confident they have the potential to save someone’s life by providing hard and fast chest compressions while the ambulance service is en route.”

The campaign is also designed to highlight the positive impact community resuscitation can have.

The ambulance service develops and supports community resuscitation through training, and also runs the community first responder scheme.

Community first responders (CFRs) live or work in a community where groups of volunteers are dispatched to life-threatening calls, such as cardiac arrest, while an ambulance response is dispatched.

Alan Murray, Director of Service Delivery, said, “Community first responders play a really important role in helping us give emergency care to those most in need. They also get something very personal out of it; volunteering is not only really rewarding but you know you’re potentially saving the life of someone in your community.”

Full CPR Chest compressions with rescue breaths will continue to be part of gold standard CPR and taught during formal training, including on the BHF’s Heartstart courses. As well as full CPR, Heartstart teaches people how to deal with an unconscious person, serious bleeding, choking and heart attacks. www.bhf.org.uk Follow @TheBHF

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Hands-only CPR training app launched ZOLL Medical Corporation has partnered with the British Heart Foundation to release a new handsonly CPR training app for both the iPhone and Android smartphones. The app, called BHF PocketCPR, is based on the successful ZOLL PocketCPR apps containing ZOLL Real CPR Help technology. These apps have been downloaded over 150,000 times in 85 different countries.

The technology contained in the apps is also featured in all ZOLL AEDs and professional defibrillators. They are all capable of providing the same Real CPR Help by using the built in accelerometer-based feedback inside any ZOLL CPR electrode. By enhancing the quality of the rescuer’s chest compressions, it has been shown in clinical studies to improve the likelihood of a successful defibrillation attempt, as well as the chance of survival.

Step-by-step instructions The apps feature an introductory video, and stepby-step instructions, allowing the user to learn to perform and practice hands-only CPR. Simply by watching the brief video then using their smartphone, anyone can follow the steps built into

the app to practice the motor skills required to help save a life. It is not necessary to have any particular CPR manikin or other equipment, just a smartphone and a couch cushion, seat cushion, or other resilient surface to practice simulated chest compressions.

The app uses the phone’s accelerometer to measure both depth (5-6cm) and rate (100-120/min) of compressions and offers voice and visual feedback to correct any insufficiency. The program also provides a constant audible metronome to coach the proper rate of chest compressions. After a brief practice session, the potential rescuer can develop a good understanding of the necessary force, depth, and frequency required to perform optimal CPR.

Chest pain kit raises heart attack awareness The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has created a vital new asset to help health and community workers raise public awareness of the lifethreatening dangers of chest pain. The free Chest Pain kit, which is part of a wider Chest Pain programme, gives trainers everything they need to teach people: how to recognise the signs and symptoms of a heart attack; and the importance of calling 999 immediately.

Android & iPhone BHF PocketCPR will prepare both professionals and lay rescuers to perform CPR for victims of cardiac arrest. The CPR guidelines followed are in accordance with the latest published (Oct 2010) guidelines of the European Resuscitation Council, the American Heart Association, and the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation.

“Response to the original ZOLL PocketCPR for apps has been tremendous,” said Tim McGough, a paramedic and Director of Marketing of ZOLL’s Bio-Detek subsidiary that developed the application. “We are so pleased to partner with an organisation like the British Heart Foundation to present ZOLL CPR technology to anyone who can download a free app. We believe that our easy-touse application and the British Heart Foundation’s recent CPR public awareness campaign could significantly help improve bystander CPR rates in the United Kingdom.”

BHF PocketCPR is available both on the Android App Market and on the Apple iTunes App Store.

The kit contains interactive aids to make training easy, effective and accessible to a wide range of communities, and is an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to communicate these essential messages.

Freya Burley, Project Officer at the BHF says, “Every six minutes someone dies of a heart attack, so understanding what to do when chest pain strikes is crucial. This kit can give people these skills – and could help them save their own life or the life of someone they love.”

To get hold of the BHF Chest Pain Kit call 0870 600 6566 or for more information go to bit.ly/chestpainkit.

www.bhf.org.uk www.zollaed.co.uk

www.bhf.org.uk Follow @TheBHF

Professional CPR/AED manikins Telford-based rescue and pre-hospital emergency equipment supplier, SP Services (UK) Ltd, is no stranger to the needs of the modern teaching environment to provide easy, cost effective and easy to transport training solutions for the emergency professionals of the future. The Prestan Professional CPR/AED Manikins currently feature among SP’s already extensive range of training products.

Realistic to the eye and the touch, the Prestan Professional Adult Manikin is unlike any other on the market. Available individually, in convenient multipacks of four or as a family pack for class training purposes, Prestan manikins are uniquely designed as a clamshell that accommodates an easy-to-insert face shield/lung bag.

Prestan’s new CPR Rate Monitor allows for instant feedback to both instructor and student regarding the rate of chest compression. This allows each student to gauge their rate of compressions on their own as well as allowing the

instructor to monitor several students quickly and easily.

With Prestan’s patented face/head tilt, the Prestan Professional Manikin simulates the way an actual patient’s head would move if they required CPR. In addition, the unique construction of the manikins incorporates a mechanism to help the student use the correct force to compress the chest to the correct depth.

If you would like more information about the Prestan Manikins or any of SP Services’ other products, please call their friendly customer services department on Tel: 01952 288 999 or visit the company’s website. www.spservices.co.uk Follow @SPServicesUK

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28 | PROFILES

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MAESU: collaborative working in the West Midlands used some of its concepts and procedures The West Midlands Multi Agency as best practice.

Emergency Services Unit (MAESU) was established in September 2010. It Multi-agency training was designed to improve the The unit has introduced multi-agency effectiveness, efficiency and training to enable a more comprehensive interoperability of emergency understanding of each other’s roles and responses to incidents within the West responsibilities during an emergency Midlands conurbation. incident – this is a significant step forward It is acknowledged that the first 60 and demonstrates the wider commitment minutes of any major incident is of each agency. critical for emergency responders and All agencies now share operational that the foundations laid down in this intelligence about pre-planned events to time can be key to a successful ensure a more coordinated response is outcome. generated.

With this in mind, the blue light response services in the West (From L to R) Keith Nevitt, Emergency Preparedness Manager, West Midlands Ambulance Service; Preparing for the Olympics Midlands region, the police, Steve Horsley, Contingency Planning Officer, West Midlands Fire Service; Scott McGarrigle, Integrated This improved and coordinated way of ambulance and fire services, came Emergency Management, West Midlands Police; Pete Jefferson, Head of Health Emergency Preparedness, working and the practical experience together alongside health services with West Midlands Conurbation. gained to date has proven invaluable to all responsibility for emergency response MAESU representatives in preparing for the control (includes command structure); management, to review how collaborative ways of Olympics 2012 – particularly in planning for the communications; incident management; working could enable them to improve their events that will be held at the City of Coventry operational reporting; operational documentation; response to major incidents.

Stadium and in preparing for the arrival of the debriefing – multi-agency level; learning and American and Jamaican teams who will reside in development; testing and exercising; planning, and Information sharing Birmingham during the event.

One of the key features of MAESU is information health and safety.

It has been proved in the West Midlands that this MAESU was the first collaborative partnership of sharing. This allows for a more effective planned concept works well and we are keen to share this its kind to be developed in the UK where its response to incidents or events, which place high across the UK to enable all areas to see the benefits objective emergency response to the first 60 demand on emergency service provision – recent and share good practice. With the right people, with minutes and its members are now working with examples include the visit of Pope Benedict XVI, drive and the enthusiasm, MAESU can prove to be representatives from other emergency services the civil disturbances which affected Birmingham, effective and efficient; objectives can be achieved across the UK to share their expertise and findings.

West Bromwich and Wolverhampton and the while carrying out normal, every day work.

In particular, Cheshire have now set a MAESU, political party conferences held in October 2010 all be it in name; this followed a visit to the and September 2011. www.wmfs.net West Midlands from a contingent of the Cheshire The MAESU also acts as a single point of contact Follow @WestMidsFire emergency services who received input and and provides information and updates to other Author: Watch Commander Steven information on the concept of MAESU, how it Category 1 and 2 responders prior to, during and Horsley, Emergency Response, West works and how to implement such a group within after major incidents and events. At a tactical level, Midlands Fire Service. their area. They have now formed a MAESU and the MAESU is responsible for: command and

Prioritising the human aspect of any emergency Ensuring that the human impact of any emergency or major incident is a priority among the emergency response and resilience community is the fundamental role of the Emergency Planning Society’s Human Aspects Group.

Since its formation in 1995 the Human Aspects Group (HAG) has played a significant part in identifying the needs of individuals affected by emergencies and disasters and improving the response in this area. But these are testing times for all those involved in humanitarian assistance, and in a bid to tackle the challenges ahead, the group has reaffirmed its aims and objectives and is refocusing its energies under new leadership.

Credibility and experience New members with credibility and experience in the field have been brought in to supplement the existing skills and expertise of the core membership, creating a formidable group involving some of Britain’s leading experts in humanitarian assistance. This, coupled with the election of a new Chair in the shape of Mick Free, a former senior Metropolitan Police officer who has been at the

forefront of the UK’s humanitarian assistance focus, puts the Human Aspects Group at the cutting edge of the discipline.

The perceived threat to, and resilience of, arrangements in the UK are subject to constant review and change, as evidenced by the Civil Contingencies Act (CCA) Enhancement Programme, regional restructuring, publication of revised National Security Strategy and the current review of the UK Capabilities Programme.

Government lead The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has been the lead government department for humanitarian assistance since its inclusion in the Capabilities Programme in 2006, with the Humanitarian Assistance Unit within the department playing a key role in recent years in leading and coordinating humanitarian assistance resilience arrangements across government departments and the wider resilience sector. But changes to the Capabilities Programme means this work strand is devolving into other work areas as ‘core business’ resulting in there not being a lead

government department for humanitarian assistance nor a specific capability work strand.

HAG moves centre stage However, the demise of the role of DCMS and the changes to the Government’s Capability Programme has therefore brought the role of HAG into sharper focus. This is emphasised by the new role for HAG in relation to the quality control of humanitarian assistance-related documents that will be published through the EPS Share Point.

No other official group in the UK has such a central role in coordinating this area of resilience work and setting national standards, and as such, HAG has become the focal point for all aspects relating to humanitarian assistance and resilience planning.

From being a commentary and advisory group on the sidelines of UK strategic development in this area, HAG has now moved centre stage. http://tinyurl.com/epsHAG

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Author: Mick Free, Chair of the EPS Human Aspects Group.

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Safety helmets for ambulance and paramedics Pacific Helmets A7A – The No.1 choice for UK ambulance services.

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Because the A7A is fast becoming the standardissue helmet for the UK ambulance services, Vimpex has been able to offer a common price and specification for all NHS ambulance services. The company holds stocks of the standard A7A helmet so that ambulance services know that the product is available for immediate dispatch with no minimum order levels.

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Temporary mortuaries and body storage: sharing lessons in good practice Community Resilience UK (CRUK) held a conference in London, in March 2010, entitled Mass Fatalities: Compliance and Guidance. This event examined updated minimum legal requirements and the latest recommendations for managing mass fatalities through the establishment of a temporary mortuary or body storage facility. It was the first event of its kind, followed by a further event in November 2010, which looked at some of the more practical aspects of the issue.

Both conferences in 2010 collected key practitioners in their field to share good practice concepts with all stakeholders. They outlined the reasons why a temporary mortuary and/or body storage facility could be needed and also examined the expectations and requirements of those who would work within them.

The conference in November 2010 looked at the practical aspects of temporary mortuary and/or body storage provision, highlighted the potential challenges of using a temporary structure as opposed to a permanently sited building. A waterlogged and muddy field, or indeed one under a depth of snow, would provide a considerable challenge for the erection of a temporary structure.

“Paramount are the expectations and needs of victims’ relatives, something I and many others felt strongly should be always considered.”

Initial feedback from delegates (and we are pleased to say speakers too) indicated that our objective of sharing good practice in support of all those interested was achieved.

The story, however, doesn’t end there. Many readers of this article will be aware that CRUK can potentially make available premises that could possibly be used as a temporary mortuary and/or body store. In planning the use of such a facility an awareness of new technologies is fundamental to success, as is business continuity planning (never rely on just one site!) and a greater appreciation and understanding of the ‘humanitarian aspect’.

We are currently working with several mass fatality planning groups to identify how CRUK may be able to help. Since March 2010 we have increased our own knowledge and understanding; and through identifying what is needed CRUK could work with other key suppliers to deliver the appropriate equipment.

INTERPOL address I was invited, in June 2011, as a representative of CRUK, to INTERPOL headquarters in Lyon in order to address delegates at the INTERPOL Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Select Committee conference on UK-based temporary mortuary and body storage provisions.

The invitation came from Olaf Worbs, at the DVI Unit of the INTERPOL General Secretariat, at the suggestion of Graham Sunderland, formerly the Strategic Director at UK DVI. It was felt that CRUK’s service (of premises provided to the public sector available for such a purpose and held at no cost until an emergency prompted use) was worth sharing. If we’re doing it here, is it possible in other countries too?

Community Resilience UK (CRUK) is a notfor-profit body and serves only the public sector. Its Vision and Business Plan is founded on a sense of community spirit.

CRUK seeks to encourage and facilitate opportunities for corporate social responsibility, collective purchasing, mutual aid, self-help and volunteering in emergencies. It seeks to work with local, regional and national government, the police, fire and rescue service, ambulance service, NHS, voluntary organisations and businesses to create and establish emergency processes, systems and services.

CRUK’s website provides much more information as well as contact details. The author of this article can be contacted by e-mail: geoff.gubb@communityresilience.cc or Tel: 07840 274788.

I addressed the disadvantages around temporary structures and the necessity to be prepared for that major disaster we’re all hoping never happens. I referred to the 2004 Madrid terrorist train bombings. Over 170 bodies recovered from the incident scene were taken to the Madrid Exhibition Centre. Acknowledging that, at the time, it was probably the only option available, what lessons were learnt from that incident? With preparation and planning a more suitable location could have been found.

The premises activated as a temporary mortuary and/or body storage facility must allow for the needs of those working, not just for the equipment they are likely to bring with them. Utility supply and electronic communications are essential. To illustrate this necessity with an example, the disposal of liquid waste should not be through the main sewer so the appropriate agencies should be consulted regarding on-site waste management.

Ease of site access should be of prime consideration, as well as proximity to neighbouring properties: not just homes, but schools and other public areas. A well-planned and well-positioned site may also make restoring it to normality much easier, once the crisis has passed.

I also reminded delegates of the possible need to isolate a contaminated facility, one of the important findings of the 2010 conferences. In conjunction with this theme my presentation also highlighted the need for full site security. Not only should a site be secure against unauthorised physical intrusion but also that of camera and video.

Paramount is the expectations and needs of victims’ relatives, something many others and I felt strongly should be always considered.

Size matters Having the right-sized temporary facility could be a challenge. Who knows the scale of the disaster you’ve yet to face? As was recently said to me, “When you’ve seen one disaster, you’ve seen one disaster,” and so being prepared for eventualities unseen, not experienced nor tested should be top of the agenda. A site that is a permanent structure but which allows for temporary structure additions, both internally and externally, could be a viable solution. This would allow the site to be adjusted and adapted to suit specific needs. It should also allow, if possible, for all the victims to be held in one secure place, which would be beneficial to DVI officers and others.

ACPO guidance I recommend all those with interest in mass fatality planning to consult the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) manual Guidance on Disaster Victim Identification 2011, which is found easily through an internet search of its title.

I quote from it” …the content of the manual is intended to be a reference to all agencies that have responsibility for dealing with the aftermath of any mass fatality incident. The UK is now internationally recognised through INTERPOL as being one of the world leaders in this area of work.

Not only do the victims’ families deserve professional assistance in the unfortunate aftermath of such an event, they will, quite rightly, demand it.” www.communityresilience.cc

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Author: Geoff Gubb is a Consultant to Community Resilience UK (CRUK).

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Excelerate communications help UK emergency services cope with 2012 ‘Perfect Storm’ UK emergency services are dealing with major challenges in 2012 and beyond, challenges which have the potential of a ‘perfect storm’: the need to cut budgets and personnel numbers while at the same time delivering high levels of operational performance; the challenge of responding to potential major public order events, including the Olympics, demonstrations, riots, terror attacks and floods; and the need to promote maximum levels of Category 1 multi-agency information sharing and interoperability in conformance with their obligations under the Civil Contingencies Act. No one is saying these challenges can be dealt with easily, nor is there a ‘magic bullet’ solution, but one straightforward approach that is already helping a growing number of emergency services across all sectors is the adoption of satellite broadband, wireless video, internet data and voice solutions to deliver quantum leap improvements in force effectiveness and single and multi-agency communications and cooperation.

Excelerate has helped drive and support the development of some of the most advanced mobile emergency command vehicles in the world.

Integrated solutions The national ambulance service’s HART (Hazardous Area Response Team) project with over 20 sets of command and support vehicles in service in the UK, the West Midlands Fire Service, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, Surrey Police and Gwent Police, among others, are all active users of mobile satellite broadband, wireless video, data, voice and internet and other integrated solutions supplied, integrated and supported by Excelerate.

The reason is quite simple: the use of these technologies supports massive improvements in the delivery of real-time incident information, supporting faster and better informed command decision making.

The solutions developed by Excelerate, the UK market leader, and their introduction by UK emergency services, are delivering huge improvements in the way these services manage the many different types of incidents at all levels, Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Mobile communications solutions Excelerate has pioneered the development of some of the most advanced mobile emergency command vehicles, and wide-area and multi-agency communications solutions in the world, projects that are now generating growing international interest.

The company’s unique expertise means it has the capability to support a huge variety of different requirements from emergency services. With budgets tight, growing numbers of emergency services are now drawing on the company’s wide

variety of skills – specification, design, prototyping, development of bespoke solutions, integration, training, support and consultancy – to implement new installations and retrofit communications solutions into existing vehicles.

“Satellite broadband, wireless video and other solutions deliver quantum leap improvements in force effectiveness and single and multi-agency communications and cooperation.”

monitoring of anti-social behaviour, and enhanced coverage within HM prisons and large-scale events.

Integrated with COFDM transmission technology, once in place, control and viewing capabilities can be remotely operated and viewed from Peli cases, mobile incident command units, iPads and also internal control rooms, and available within five minutes of deploying within any location.

In a special package deal created by Excelerate, customers can now buy a complete ‘turnkey’ Sherpa solution (head unit, delivery unit, electronics unit, hand held controller and Peli case) along with a tripod and a huge range of camera system options for attachment to the head unit (including dual thermal cameras) – all for an overall system price substantially less than other market offerings.

Excelerate’s remarkable Sherpa ‘climbing camera’ and communications platform allows services to place their existing wireless camera assets in high positions for enhanced incident coverage.

Knowing how to deliver high levels of missioncritical operational efficiency at a public order event while deploying lower numbers of staff was key to Gwent Police’s successful management of the high profile 2010 Ryder Cup. With around 30-40,000 spectators each day, plus high security VIPs, the force faced a major public order challenge. It did this by linking two Excelerate-supplied mobile command vehicles to bicycle-mounted police officers wearing body-mounted wireless video cameras and radios.

Sherpa ‘climbing camera’ These solutions, along with Excelerate’s remarkable Sherpa ‘climbing camera’ and communications platform, are of particular relevance to emergency services planning their responses to challenges such as the various events making up the London 2012 Olympics as well as the various festivals, demonstrations, riots and terror attacks that have become common features of modern daily life.

The Sherpa delivery unit eradicates the need for specialised lifting equipment and tools and instead provides a self-powered system that automatically climbs to the required height and securely attaches the head unit complete with single or multiple communications technologies to a wide variety of euro spec lampposts. This high reach capability provides a vandal-proof system with interferencefree coverage.

Already in use throughout the UK, North America, Canada, Australia and South Africa, the Sherpa system is proving to be the next generation of rapidly deployable surveillance solutions for the

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COMPANY PROFILE | 33

New, improved communications across incident grounds and back to headquarters or any authorised user or location, using mobile satellite broadband, live wireless video, voice and internet and easy access to HQ databases, all help deliver high speed data flows, real time situational awareness and a Common Operational Picture – within services and between services – at levels never previously achieved.

Digital Dashboard Management Interface Full voice interoperability between different communications systems – allowing users of a wide range of different systems such as TETRA, GSM, radio and landline to be patched together – can be achieved using the Communications Management Suite module, either on a stand-alone basis or within the Digital Dashboard Management Interface. An Excelerate-developed product (UK Patent Application 1116053.8), the Digital Dashboard Management Interface solution has been designed by Excelerate Technology’s R&D department specifically for the emergency services market to provide a clear, intuitive interface linked to the wide variety of command and support technologies found on the latest generation of incident command vehicles.

The simple-to-use interface enables operators to

UK emergency services face many major public order challenges, including the Olympics, demonstrations, riots and terror attacks.

monitor and control the various systems and technologies on board command and control units effectively and efficiently, enabling them to focus primarily on their operational roles and to get the best out of their technology and training investment.

The system also allows remote login for problem solving and support by Excelerate personnel.

“The Civil Contingencies Act mandates services to deliver optimum levels of emergency response efficiency.

Communications solutions from Excelerate help these services deliver on these obligations.”

Advanced solutions All of these advanced solutions mean services are now able to perform much more effectively even with fewer personnel deployed (and some of the mistakes of the past, highlighted by major incidents where lives have been lost unnecessarily, are less likely to happen). The Civil Contingencies Act mandates services to deliver optimum levels of emergency response efficiency, systems resilience and multi-agency cooperation and information sharing. Communications solutions from Excelerate help these services deliver on these obligations, quickly, robustly and cost effectively, and in a manner that is easy for all staff to understand and use.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is one FRS that has thoroughly embraced new communications solutions and improved ways of working. “Our existing Command Unit was coming to the end of its serviceable life. Alongside this, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service identified a need to improve the information flows between the incident ground and the command unit.

Nick Smith, Group Manager Operations for West Yorkshire FRS, is the project manager for the service’s Command Support Project, one of the

UK’s most advanced uses of satellite broadband and wireless video in support of joined up fire and multi-agency incident management. He said, “It is well recognised that sound command decisions rely on relevant, accurate information reaching the incident commander in a timely manner. To assist us with the delivery of this project, a fundamental review of our command support facilities was carried out; we also considered the lessons learned from recent major incidents such as Buncefield, the 7/7 bombings and the 2007 floods. The outcomes of our review led to the development of a concept of operations; how we wanted our new vehicle and systems to be used.”

Because the project he is describing embraces not just a satellite broadband and wireless video-enabled mobile command unit, but also a fully satelliteenabled command room, senior West Yorkshire FRS commanders are able to view sector and incident imagery direct into Gold command based in the command room, via the command unit acting as Silver.

Excelerate’s communications solutions are helping to deliver huge improvements in single and multi-agency cooperation and operational effectiveness.

“With Excelerate supplying the technology for the Command Unit it was, as far as we were concerned, essential to have the same kind of technology in our Command Room,” says Station Manager Colin Oxley, Command Development Officer for West Yorkshire FRS. “This includes large monitors to display our command software and live incident video streaming from the command unit via the satellite. We also have a satellite ground station in our training centre providing us with a fully resilient solution. There are also facilities in place to manage multi-agency attendance if required.” www.excelerate.info

Author: Stephen Prendergast Tel: +44 (0)8456 585747 E-mail: enquiries @excelerate.info

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The Godiac Project: a common European approach to policing demonstrations Godiac is a research project, which aims to establish a common European approach to policing demonstrations through dialogue, communication and transparency. Involving 12 different countries and 20 organisations, including research institutions, it is important that the approach is adaptable to different circumstances. The Swedish National Police Board initiated and coordinates the project, which runs from August 2010 until July 2013.

Riots during a EU summit in Gothenburg, Sweden, in June 2001, led to parts of central Gothenburg being damaged and to the police who took part in the operation to deal with the demonstrators fearing for their lives on several occasions. Following the riots, an inter-parliamentary group led by the former Swedish Prime Minister, Ingvar Carlsson, conducted an evaluation of the events. The police came under criticism for their lack of communication with the demonstrators and with the public, and the report also highlighted deficiencies concerning equipment and tactics for events of this kind.

“Social media is having an increased impact on the policing of demonstrations The Swedish police started to look to their neighbours in Europe to find examples of best practice on handling public order situations and whether there might be opportunities to develop the tactics in this area.

A common approach across Europe to the policing of political demonstrations is important due to the internationalisation of many protest movements and the common challenges these bring to the different police services across Europe. It is argued that if police officers have good knowledge of the protesters, their driving forces and aims, they will be able to communicate in a better way and be better prepared to allow protesters to express their opinion and to make use of their right to freedom of assembly.

In Austria there was good communication between police and the organisers of a student ball.

Among others, we came into contact with Professor Otto Adang at the Police Academy in the Netherlands. He had conducted peer-reviews in connection with football matches and was researching the use of dialogue and communication as tools for preventing disturbances of public order and other methods to develop police tactics. In Denmark there had also been some development of

police tactics in this area when, in 1993, the Danish Police had experienced a similar situation to that faced by the Swedish Police in Gothenburg.

A new concept These influences were combined into a new Swedish concept of policing demonstrations using knowledge, dialogue, differentiation and deescalation and this was implemented through an initial project, in which Professor Adang also participated. These new Swedish tactics were considered successful and this, plus a growing interest in the model from other European countries, led to the formation of the Godiac Project, with Sweden as the project’s coordinator.

Godiac is 70 percent financed from the EU and 30 percent from the Swedish National Police Board.

The participating countries are Sweden, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and the Netherlands.

In Portugal low-key policing initially contributed to preventing the escalation of disturbances.

Field studies So far six very different field studies have been conducted towards the project: the Castor transport in Lower Saxony, Germany, took place in November 2010 and was focused around the transport of nuclear waste; the NATO summit in Lisbon, Portugal, also took place in November 2010; in January 2011, a field study was conducted in Vienna, Austria, in connection with a right-wing student ball; the TUC March took place in London in March 2011; in September 2011 a study was made in Barcelona in connection with the Catalonian National Day; and in October 2011 there was a study in Budapest, Hungary, on the day of commemoration of the invasion of 1956.

These field study groups consist of men and women, researchers and police officers from different countries that make observations and interview demonstrators, police officers, commanders and other participants, during the field

At the TUC March in London officers had an on-going and pro-active communication with the protesters.

studies. No personal data or names are registered, which means a demonstrator may only be referred to as, eg a ‘35-year-old-woman’. The objective behind the interviews is to find out the intent and wishes of the demonstrators, in order to create a trusting dialogue between them and the police.

These observations are then gathered in field study reports.

Impact of social media Social media is having an increased impact on the policing of demonstrations, especially in those situations that occur spontaneously, without anyone having applied for permission in advance and where it hasn’t been possible to identify an organiser. This is, of course, a big challenge for the police.

In Sweden, after the last elections when a rightwing party won seats in Parliament, there were, within a few hours, several thousand people gathered to protest after a posting on Facebook.

The impact of social media is something that has developed during the project and was not included in the original plan for Godiac. Since its role has become more and more important we are now trying to follow social media in connection with our field studies and we will produce a research anthology on the subject.

Report for the EU The end results of the Godiac project will be a compilation of good examples for policing demonstrations, a Field Study Handbook, three researcher anthologies on dialogue and communication, crowd management and social media and of course a final report for the EU. For the time being there are no decisions on continuation after 2013, but if we can find financing it would be interesting to study how the results from Godiac could be used, for example, in situations of social unrest/urban violence. http://tinyurl.com/godiacproject

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Author: Maria Appelblom, Swedish National Police Board

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Critical communications deliver crucial support The Airwave network provides critical communications support to the emergency services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, helping the emergency services to assist and protect our communities. When the unprecedented riots of August 2011 began in London, igniting a chain of unrest, violence, looting and arson across the country, the Airwave network delivered that crucial support.

Secure, robust and immediate communications are essential to successful coordination of the emergency services, particularly in times of crisis.

Respected worldwide for their expertise, the police, ambulance, and fire and rescue services are highlytrained professionals with vast experience in crisis management, yet the speed at which the August riots escalated challenged the emergency services to maintain public order. Not only were they dealing with unparalleled levels of criminality, they were also helping thousands of innocent people affected by the chaos.

100 percent increase The riots began in north London. The Network Management Centre (NMC) registered the initial rise in activity on the Airwave network in the Tottenham area; the duty network controller and personnel then moved to incident management mode.

The Airwave service is built to absorb surges of 20 percent on a day-to-day basis, but the situation caused usage in the London area to increase by over 100 percent compared to the week prior to the riots. Despite this, the network stood firm, remaining 100 percent stable and reliable.

As the riots spread and new areas of unrest were reported, the Airwave Network sites in the affected areas were monitored by a dedicated team of Airwave personnel.

Full network insight with Insite Insite is Airwave’s powerful network monitoring tool, enabling instant access to call traffic levels, incident and coverage data including map views, which set the information in geographical context.

Accessed through a secure web browser based service management terminal (SMT), Insite provides real-time traffic and incident reports, plus easy access to historical data.

The result is greater insight into the use of the Airwave service with the ability to predict and plan for future needs – and better control budgets and costs.

During the August riots, Insite was vital to the management of police officers and talk groups, both within the police forces and in ensuring the effectiveness of thousands of officers from other forces with minimal briefing and preparation time.

Insite allowed the police forces to identify users on the incorrect talk groups or using the network inefficiently, and manage usage in real time ensuring that capacity was available for all operations.

The Insite map function provides a dynamic picture of the whole force area, enabling Airwave to focus attention on individual sites likely to suffer congestion, understand the problem, and resolve it before users had to report the problem. The map function also enables users to see a national view of network usage – invaluable when coordinating

multiple agencies and forces during simultaneous incidents at multiple locations.

The sophisticated Insite software tracks the number of users and talk groups in real time, so potential congestion can be highlighted to the emergency services. Talk groups and control channels can be redefined and reorganised to ensure the most efficient use of the network.

Flexible response By utilising dynamic tactical options through the use of site profiles, the Airwave teams could fully support the emergency services throughout the unrest, ensuring the flexibility to respond to everchanging circumstances

“We believe this was a great example of partnership working between the police service and Airwave in very trying circumstances.”

In addition to the committed teams supporting each Airwave user organisation, dedicated out-ofhours contacts were provided to ensure any network reconfigurations required could be swiftly implemented.

An open conference bridge was also put in place

by Airwave to ensure full interaction between user organisations, the Airwave technical teams and

Statistics • The number of police on the streets in London increased from 6000 to 16,000 • The number of voice calls handled by the London switch doubled from two million to four million* • Minutes of use increased by half a million* • 25 police forces from around the country assisted London’s Metropolitan Police, giving the Airwave teams significant challenges in terms of network configurations • At times there were five police aircraft flying over London instead of the normal one or two – the air-to-ground network capacity on the Airwave network was increased to avoid congestion • West Midlands Police numbers increased sixfold to 3341 officers on the streets *Network usage figures are comparing 2 August 2011 with 9 August 2011

Airwave customer support. Issues could be discussed and resolved via rapid decision-making processes – especially critical in the core evening hours of the unrest.

As the situation calmed around the country, Airwave personnel continued to provide additional support with enhanced monitoring in the NMC, and the Parameter Change Team standing by to provide dynamic configuration changes to ensure service levels were maintained if usage significantly increased.

From the frontline Airwave has described as ‘entirely inaccurate’ claims made in a report from the Police Federation, entitled Policing the Riots, which suggested the Airwave Network was ‘overloaded’, causing ‘significant communications failure’, leading to difficulties in the police response to the riots.

Airwave’s response states, ‘Despite the unprecedented levels of police officers and other emergency service users accessing the Network, we are proud that it operated exactly as it is designed to, providing an extremely high level of service to officers from 26 different police forces and the ambulance and fire services.

‘Throughout the period of the riots, our enhanced monitoring of the Network and continuous communication with the user community enabled us to provide an optimal service to those working on the front line’.

Peter R Goulding, ex-Chief Superintendent, Metropolitan Police Service, said, “I worked operationally during periods of the English riots and worked with the team that was responsible for working with Airwave and monitoring the Network and its usage in London. The Network did not collapse or fail and the communication service was always available. It operated as designed and appropriate changes were made to ensure communications services were effective for key users.”

Partnership working Nick Gargan, Chief Executive, National Policing Improvement Agency, said, “The network itself coped very well with the increased usage and capacity issues of moving vast numbers of police officers to disorder locations. In the London area, the average number of police officers on duty in a night was about 2000 and the network was able to cope with a total of 16,000 officers, many of whom came from other forces, thus showing the true interoperability capabilities of the Airwave service.

We believe this was a great example of partnership working between the police service and Airwave in very trying circumstances.” www.airwavesolutions.co.uk

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Training journalists for the frontline We’ve all watched the news when demonstrations, marches, riots and public order incidents explode across the screen.

Teams of reporters, cameramen and producers are present among the disorder, bringing reports into your home trying not to become victims of the disorder. The journalists’ employers have a duty of care to ensure they are trained to operate safely in such environments. So how are journalists trained to operate in these events?

The answer lies in the specialised training delivered by a private training provider, Prime Media Safety, the only commercial company authorised to use the unique training facilities at the Police Specialist Public Order Training Centre at Gravesend, Kent.

In the mid 1970s the Metropolitan Police Service pioneered the uniquely British method of policing public order situations. The training, originally housed in a small military base at Feltham, Middlesex, then moved to a disused army camp on Hounslow Heath that was ultimately replaced by a purpose built ‘town’, to enable more realistic training. This facility closed in 2003, with the last and final exercise being a ‘spectacular’ at which the author was proud to be present.

Bespoke training facility The Public Order & Firearms Training branches then moved to the new, bespoke training facility at Gravesend, where two purpose built ‘towns’ of empty streets, pavements, shop fronts and even a tube station with a single tube carriage, enable the two training branches to deliver their respective training to the Metropolitan, City and British Transport Police forces.

“This media training is unique – teaching the journalists to operate as safely as possible in public order events.”

In the public order town the Police Support Units (PSUs) or ‘Serials’ practice the drills they will use in real life public order situations in the ‘town’s’ streets and alleyways. It is here the journalists learn the skills that enable them to operate effectively and safely during public order events.

Personal and detailed training The training begins with lunch in the canteen, alongside the police officers and the instructors

from both public order and firearms branches. The participants then leave for the classroom for an introduction to UK public order and an interactive discussion on its risks and threats.

The journalists then move into the training area, and are equipped with safety boots and hi-viz yellow ‘Media’ tabards. The training begins in earnest with one instructor to three students, ensuring the training is personal and detailed. The lessons are graduated, firstly developing skills in communication and control, then movement, profiling, conflict management and, most importantly, how to stay together when negotiating angry crowds and enclosed environments. The course extends into protection of the cameramen and their movement with the reporters.

PPE protection Following this, the journalists are issued with a fireproof all-in-one jump suit each, head-overs, body armour, helmets and gloves. They are shown how to wear it in preparation for the public order event that will take part later that evening.

Next is dinner, followed by another classroom lesson on police tactics; then back to the town for further movement and profiling drills.

The evening concludes with a choreographed ‘riot’ enabling police, their Bronze Commander and journalists to all utilise their respective skills. The police instructors, supported by those police officers not behind the shields, act as the enraged and agitated rioters. The event is frighteningly realistic with wooden bricks, milk bottles, abuse and insults being hurled at police and journalists alike.

The 40-minute riot leaves the journalists physically tired but hyped up. They have operated in levels of danger unacceptable in reality, utilising the skills and techniques learned during the day’s training. A debrief enables a review of these skills, their use by the students in the event and the overall performance of the journalists.

The following morning the journalists return to the town and complete a review of the previous day’s training. Then, with their instructors, they watch the PSUs training on the streets.

Fire bomb alley More movement and profiling drills take place with their trainers and then back into protective clothing for petrol bomb familiarisation. Donning their protective clothing, a police instructor delivers a health and safety brief before the journalists walk in a line, trainers behind them, down ‘fire bomb alley’.

Police instructors lob milk bottles, containing a quarter of a pint of petrol, with burning paper wicks, onto the floor in front of the advancing journalists causing the bottles to break and petrol to ignite. Having experienced the flash of fired petroleum about them, the journalists then watch the police instructors demonstrate firebombs containing upwards of a litre of petrol and the various additives that can make firebombs lethal weapons.

Following this, the journalists have a short rest period watching PSUs training with their mounted branch colleagues.

Choreographed maelstrom of mayhem The journalists then receive a briefing before advancing into the town with their instructor for the next staged event; a full-blown riot, lasting 40 to 50 minutes, with hysterical rioters, wooden bricks, bottles and fire bombs in a carefully choreographed maelstrom of mayhem designed to test the police, their Bronze Commander and, of course, the journalists.

This media training is unique – teaching the journalists to operate as safely as possible in public order events.

So, next time you see a news report of a public order event, spare a thought for the news crew, the training they have completed, and the job they are doing enabling you to see the unfolding events. www.primeinfo.co.uk

Author: Christopher Cully, Media Public Order Instructor, Prime Media Safety.

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Portable battery-powered Specialist hand tools for protestor release protection The Ogura HRS modular system is based around the powerful Ogura battery-powered HRS pump, which can be used to power a variety of cutting, spreading and door opening tools. For protestor release and forced entry work many police customers have chosen a combination of the HRS pump, the short-nosed ‘Stubby Cutter’, and the 8in door opener tool. This combination of spreading and cutting equipment is compact, immediately deployed and, thanks to the fact it is batterypowered, less aggressive and intimidating than larger, heavy-duty petrol powered hydraulic tools.

Adding the ORC-19 20mm bar cutter to your inventory would give even greater capability as this tool is capable of cutting padlocks, chains, bike locks and other difficult to cut security products.

Renowned for its range of battery-powered hydraulic tools for fire, rescue and extrication applications, Vimpex is also a supplier of equipment to police and the military. Ogura battery-powered hydraulics are widely used by UK police and security forces for protestor release, public order, eviction, breaching and forced entry as well as for counter terrorism applications.

Protestor release Many Ogura tools are in use by public order teams throughout Britain where they are often deployed to aid in protestor release scenarios.

The products are well known for their ease of use, portability and ability to be used in confined spaces.

‘Tactical black’ The Ogura range is now available for a small surcharge in ‘tactical black’ showing that Vimpex is serious about providing products to the police and security forces.

The Ogura range is one of several specialist products supplied by Vimpex and designed specifically with the emergency services in mind.

Other products include the extremely powerful range of Cutters Edge saws, the revolutionary Canguro Scene Star Scene Lighting System and Endress Generators.

Further information on Vimpex’s range of technical rescue equipment, PPE products and telescopic masts can be found online.

Following the riots in August last year and looking ahead to the increased security that will be needed throughout the UK in 2012, the emergency services will be requiring the highest levels of protection against the various hazards that they will face on a day to day basis. To help protect them from hand and arm injuries such as dog bites, crush injuries, cut and puncture wounds, Polyco, a specialist in the design and manufacture of quality hand protection, has developed the Frontline range.

One product that aided the emergency services during the London riots last summer was Polyco’s Public Order glove.

The Public Order glove has been created using a seamless Kevlar® lining, reinforced with a glass fibre yarn, providing wearers with the highest level of cut and puncture protection available. Extra attention has been given to protecting the high-risk areas of the hand including the knuckles, fingers and thumbs, which are protected from heavy impact and crushing injuries by dense foam padding. www.polyco.co.uk

www.rescue-tools.co.uk Follow @jamesvimpex

Boots for the Cosalt’s next generation of police protection toughest tests

Cosalt has over 10 years’ experience in the design and manufacture of public order coveralls.

During this time, Cosalt has worked closely with end users on ergonomic fit and the compatibility with other PPE equipment for both male and female wearers. Extensive research and wearer trials were carried out with West Midlands Police Public Order teams, which provided an excellent base for the development of the PSU coverall styles.

The West Midlands Public Order jacket and trouser zip together to form a coverall and when the ensemble is worn with Modacrylic underwear it

conforms to BS 7971-10 Protective Clothing and Equipment for use in violent situations and in training.

When worn for long periods of time, the jacket and trouser provide excellent comfort and compatibility with body armour and limb protectors due to the ergonomic design and combination of fabrics.

Design features include a variety of pockets placed in strategic positions across the garment to ensure officers have easy access to vital equipment, throat closure tabs and a double layer of outer material to the back of the legs for additional protection.

Within the Police Public Order range, Cosalt has a number of alternative design options conforming to the HOSDB Flame Retardant Overalls Standard for UK police. For example, the Greater Manchester Police are currently wearing a onepiece two-layer public order coverall supplied by Cosalt.

Arlene Hackett, Defence & Police Sales Manager at Cosalt, said, “It is vital that safety clothing evolves to suit the ever changing needs of police officers and this suit is the next generation of public order protective wear.” www.cosalt.com

Mitre Blue Light has been supplying public order trained officers throughout the UK with their boots for more than a decade.

Unrivalled levels of comfort when worn for long periods, and safety features for when the going gets tough means officers keep coming back to Mitre for a product they can rely on.

The Intervention and General Purpose police-only boots are designed for use in the toughest situations – whether the street disturbances last summer or public order patrolling ahead of the 2012 Olympics.

With steel toecaps, steel-midsole, fire retardant stitching/laces and kick protection, there is a boot to suit every requirement in the Mitre Blue Light range.

Women beat officers are taken care of too. With a safety boot designed specifically for them, no longer do they have to accommodate their feet in boots designed for men.

So for outstanding safety, comfort and value for money check out Mitre Blue Light boots. www.mitrebluelight.co.uk Follow @Mitre_boots

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Increasing vehicle safety Compact and productivity in the face medical of adversity leg pack The very nature of police officers’ jobs means that at times they are at risk of serious harm – the riots of 2011 being just one example of how their safety can be severely compromised. With this in mind, some police forces are starting to incorporate safety features in their vehicles – even those used in everyday situations.

In today’s society police officers face risks on a daily basis, and the riots of 2011 highlighted just how quickly events can escalate, and how personnel can be threatened on a national scale. Fleet managers have therefore started to consider how their vehicles can be made safer – and this doesn’t just cover riot vans that would be utilised in high-risk, emergency situations, but also vehicles used every day.

For example, our recent vehicle conversion for West Midlands Police’s forensic team also incorporated an escape hatch. Although the primary purpose of the vehicle conversions (of which there were 13 in total) was to help the forensic team collect, organise and store vital evidence from crime scenes, it was also important to give technicians protection in case of an emergency situation, for example if a vehicle came under attack while they were working. The escape hatch gives technicians access to the cab from the office section, without the need to step outside.

Improved productivity and efficiency It’s also important to note that the vehicles were designed to improve productivity and efficiency – another key focus for police forces across the UK in light of recent public sector spending cuts. Each built within a Peugeot Expert base, the vehicles were configured to allow forensic technicians to do more ‘in the field’ – with the ability to analyse, report on and also transport evidence as necessary – and to also carry out administration work in a mobile environment, as opposed to back in the office.

The escape hatch (seen here on the right) gives technicians access to the cab from the office section, without the need to step outside.

The storage sections in the rear of the vehicle include a bespoke system, specifically designed to store investigation equipment, along with facilities for storing vital evidence and securely transporting any items away from the scene for further inspection. Meanwhile the office section includes seating, a drop-down table and space for a laptop and printer. There is a further section for a fingerprint scanner, DNA analyser or cool box.

When fleet managers are thinking about improving the safety and efficiency of their vehicles, it’s important to work with a professional vehicle enhancement specialist. They will be able to design a customised system and will also take responsibility for fitting the array of other equipment necessary to the functionality of a police vehicle.

Professional companies will also take into account the added weight the conversion adds to the base vehicle. The finished conversion must not exceed the maximum gross and axle loadings for the specific vehicle, and correct calculations will take occupants, equipment and fuel into consideration.

Weight distribution is also important; the centre of gravity, and therefore handling, can be adversely affected if a vehicle is poorly laid out.

In today’s society even the vehicles that police officers use for everyday tasks need to incorporate safety measures, such as those designed to help them swiftly escape where necessary. www.bottltd.co.uk

Author: Andy Harris, Specialist Vehicle Sales Manager at Bott.

For many the result of public order crime can seem to be the subject of TV, a distant reality featured in television shows and news reports.

In 2011 England fell prey to widespread rioting – affecting not only London but many other cities across the country and bringing back memories for some of the Broadwater Farm riot of some 26 years earlier.

The 2011 riots affected many people and led to additional police and other emergency services personnel being brought in from other parts of the country to deal with the ongoing problem. Telford based rescue and emergency equipment supplier SP Services (UK) Ltd is intimately familiar with the needs of the emergency services at all levels, be it the paramedic attending a medical emergency or the police officer on the street.

Specifically designed The SP Public Order Kit has been specifically designed to meet the requirements of police, door personnel and security staff where a conventional first aid kit is not convenient because of size or situational requirements. The kit is supplied in a convenient, easily accessible leg pack, which fastens to a utility belt at the waist and then is further secured via a Velcro leg strap around the upper thigh. While the kit remains firmly in place during action, the whole kit detaches from the leg quickly and easily when required. When unzipped the case opens fully on three sides and lies out flat, providing instant access to the contents.

The kit itself has been specially designed by SP Services product experts to contain the most comprehensive, yet succinct medical kit possible in the compact but spacious kit bag. Contained within are an array of burn dressings, tapes, pads and trauma dressings and bandages.

The new 2012 SP catalogue is due to be published in March and is packed with over 50 new products and many more updated products.

At 336 pages this will be SP’s biggest ever catalogue – one not to miss. www.spservices.co.uk Follow @SPServicesUK

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Get Ready for Winter – update The Get Ready for Winter initiative, a project to join up messages to individuals and communities on Winter preparedness, has continued to be promoted by its partners – government departments, industry bodies and the voluntary sector – during the last two months. This activity has contributed to the aim of raising public awareness of the need for Winter planning by highlighting some very simple and straightforward advice for individuals, families and communities.

Activity has centred around a dedicated Get Ready for Winter webpage, hosted on the Government’s public facing website, Directgov. This has continued to provide top tips for individuals and communities in order to keep themselves and their families warm, healthy and safe through the cold weather, with links to further information. The website has received a steady flow of traffic since its launch back in October. The total number of visitors during the last few months is just under 53,000.

National activity The initiative has also been supported by national activity with departments and partner bodies using their existing communication channels to disseminate information and links to the webpage as well as highlighting its messages. Many national partners involved in the project, including the British Red Cross, WRVS, St John Ambulance, Met Office and Environment Agency, participated in the Get Ready for Winter panel discussion at The Emergency Services Show Conference in November. They were able to share information about each of their organisations’ plans and activities, emphasising the cohesive approach to common messages and effective links. The panel presentations were followed by a really useful discussion with conference delegates.

The messages have been circulated to elderly and vulnerable groups by word of mouth, through their volunteers delivering services locally, including meals on wheels.

Local activity There has also been lots of local activity taking place to support the Get Ready for Winter messages. For example, Essex County Council organised a very successful multi-agency Winter preparedness event on 27 October, which attracted over 200 people. The event, led by their emergency planning team, was held at a local shopping centre to coincide with Pension day, to target older people in the community.

Essex County Council organised a very successful multi-agency winter preparedness event on 27 October, which attracted over 200 people.

As well as promoting the Get Ready for Winter messages, people were given information on Cold Weather Payments, Winter Fuel Payments and Warm Front Grants to help them save money. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service also provided copies of their ‘Fire Safety in Winter’ leaflet.

Due to its success, Essex County Council arranged a follow up event in December to continue to raise public awareness of the benefits of being prepared for Winter; Tendring District Council arranged a similar event, in Clacton.

With requests received to deliver the same information at the Clacton Hindu Temple, the two Jaywick Community Centres and for the provision of information packs to approximately 300 vulnerable members of the community, via Home Instead, Age Concern and other organisations.

Voluntary sector A number of voluntary sector organisations have played a key role in supporting these local initiatives, by using their influence and communication networks to publicise Winter preparedness messages.

The Salvation Army sent details of the initiative to 10,000 of its supporters and the British Red Cross placed information on its website, providing simple relevant and practical advice on getting ready for Winter, particularly severe weather in Winter. The key messages have also been used with youth groups and referred to on first aid training courses.

WRVS engagement Meanwhile, WRVS has used the Get Ready for Winter initiative to encourage their volunteers to

make all those with whom they engage – their families, their friends and most importantly the people they support through their work with WRVS – more aware of the simple steps that can better prepare them for Winter and mitigate the distress that the loss of services might cause.

The messages have been disseminated through their website, intranet, monthly newsletter, and via a Get Ready for Winter leaflet. The messages have also been circulated to elderly and vulnerable groups by word of mouth, through their volunteers delivering services locally including – meals on wheels, luncheon clubs, home library service, good neighbour schemes, telephone befriending schemes, community transport and community centres.

Current activity and next steps Partners and the Government will continue to promote and signpost to the Directgov website throughout the Winter.

The webpage underwent a ‘lite touch’ refresh before Christmas to encourage people to think about preparations that they may need to make in the run up to Christmas, such as reminding people to plan their medication needs and getting people to think about what they may need to do to protect their home if they are going away.

Many of you are still engaged with local initiatives to support Winter preparedness messages and the Cabinet Office are very keen to hear of these. They are looking to gather together these grass roots stories, to highlight this activity through the development of case studies in course.

Therefore, please email any information to: community.resilience@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk www.direct.gov.uk/getreadyforwinter

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Forecasting and forewarning For the last two winters, many of us have had to deal with the extensive snow. This year, we’ve often instead been faced with high winds affecting different parts of the UK, as well as a cold spell at the end of January into the start of February. Thankfully, the Met Office is always on hand to warn of stormy and cold conditions. Along with the emergency services, it’s not that surprising that the Met Office understands the impact of severe weather. What may astound you though, is the breadth of services that the Met Office supplies to the emergency services.

As a world-leading weather and climate service, the Met Office works closely with the emergency response community to help manage the impacts of emergencies. With services renowned for quality and accuracy, the Met Office helps the response community coordinate rapid response to a wide range of incidents, such as flooding, pollution and severe weather.

Protect the public The Met Office’s National Severe Weather Warning Service (NSWWS) gives advanced warning of extreme weather to the public, businesses, emergency services and Government.

The warnings enable emergency responders to put plans into action to protect the public in advance of an event and help them recover from any impacts.

A team of regional Met Office Public Weather Service (PWS) Advisors works closely with regional planning groups, helping to devise plans and exercises in addition to being available to offer advice during emergencies as and when they happen.

Now, following recent changes, warnings are based on both the expected weather conditions and the potential impact they may have. This important change recognises that the same weather in different parts of the UK can have very different impacts. For example, the same amount of rain has different consequences in different parts of the country – causing floods in some areas and not in others.

To forecast river, tidal and coastal flooding, as well as extreme rainfall, which can lead to surface water flooding, the Met Office works in partnership with the Environment Agency. The joint Flood Forecasting Centre, known as the FFC, combines meteorology and hydrology expertise so that the FFC can provide longer lead times and more targeted information for emergency responders.

In Scotland, the Met Office and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are working in partnership to predict the likelihood and timing of flooding.

Working in partnership To help responders identify a safe approach when dealing with major fires and other incidents, the Met Office’s web-based system, FireMet, was developed in collaboration with the Department for

Atlantic storm – December 2011 The challenge An Atlantic storm brought storm force winds to the UK in December 2011. A deep Atlantic low-pressure system hit the north of the UK on Thursday 8 December. The strongest winds were in central, southern and north-eastern Scotland, northern parts of Northern Ireland and North East England.

Gusts of up to 164mph were recorded on higher ground – the highest recorded gusts in the UK since November 1996. At lower levels, wind speeds of 105mph were recorded at Tulloch Bridge, while maximums of 77mph were recorded in Edinburgh, during the rush hour, and 71mph in Glasgow, at lunchtime.

Met Office action On Monday 5 December the Met Office issued a yellow alert for strong and damaging winds across large parts of the north of the UK. By working in partnerships across government and with contingency planners the Met Office was able to communicate the best advice in advance of the stormy weather. This enabled emergency responders and the general public to prepare for the impacts of the storm. Met Office Public Weather Service Advisors attended daily multi-agency response team briefing meetings between the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland, police and road operating companies to provide expert advice on the severity of weather.

On Wednesday 7 December the Met Office issued a red warning – the highest warning level – for the strong winds across parts of Scotland. In particular the possibility of travel disruption and structural damage was highlighted. The Met Office also issued amber and yellow alerts for areas of Scotland and the north of the UK. A news release also warned of the windy weather to come. A video forecast, available on YouTube and via Ready Scotland, meant the emergency response community and public were well briefed and well prepared.

Outcome Accurate forecasts and warnings meant the areas affected were well prepared when the storm arrived, enabling people to avoid potential damage. Schools were closed as a result of Met Office information, reducing further disruption.

Communities and Local Government. It is available to all fire and rescue services, Incident Command Units and mobilising centres, as well as the National Coordination Centre, through Hazard Manager, a website containing information specifically for the emergency response community (see below).

Chemical meteorology (CHEMET) is used to track the dispersion of a chemical release. Telephone advice is available on demand from the Met Office, giving a short-range prediction of the anticipated spread of a plume. This is backed-up with

meteorological and dispersion maps, which provide further details and outline at-risk areas. Similarly, the Met Office provides advice on the spread of animal diseases such as foot and mouth and bluetongue in conjunction with the Department of Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Institute for Animal Health (IAH). www.metoffice.gov.uk www.ffc-environment-agency.metoffice.gov.uk Follow @metoffice www.facebook.com/metoffice

Hazard Manager To further reduce the risks posed by weather-related incidents, the Met Office has developed Hazard Manager – a website containing information specifically for the emergency response community. By providing consistent weather-related information for the UK emergency response community, it complements the role of, and should be used in conjunction with, interpretation from PWS Advisors.

Using maps overlaid with relevant weather and incident information, Hazard Manager is designed specifically for Category 1 and 2 responders. Eligible organisations can use it for free, enabling access to a variety of Met Office services in one location, including the National Severe Weather Warning Service, Flood Guidance Statements, FireMet and Chemical meteorology (CHEMET).

Information on the animal disease bluetongue can also be accessed through Hazard Manager, giving instant access to the latest details of the spread of this contagious disease which threatens livestock. Users only see the content they are registered to see. Approximately 6000 individuals are registered for Hazard Manager across police, fire and rescue, NHS and local authorities.

More information on how to access Hazard manager can be found at www.metoffice.gov.uk/publicsector/hazardmanager

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Collaboration when it MARTters most Scotland is used to severe weather events but the Winter of 2010 broke records. Conditions were described as exceptional with the coldest December in Scotland for over 60 years. Over that Winter period, Scotland’s Resilience Committee met 52 times, including on both Christmas and New Year’s Day. Transport Scotland, the national transport agency, is responsible for the trunk road network, which is 3500km in length, and the rail network, which is almost 2800km, so the conditions of December 2010 provided a major challenge. this gives a good indication of the conditions and issues being faced. For example, during the high winds on 3 January 2012 the Met Office advised on the likely weather conditions.

The road and rail operating companies and police relayed the actual conditions and dealt with incidents, while Traffic Scotland and Transport Scotland advised the public and ministers about those conditions and the widespread issues.

Another example, again during the high winds, was the ability to focus resources on roads carrying rail replacement services due to downed power lines and trees on railway lines.

We also offered the services of our road operating companies Keith Brown, Minister for Housing & Transport visits the MART on 3 January 2012. to assist power companies Key improvements Photo reproduced with the kind permission of the Daily Record newspaper. dealing with downed power followed severe disruption to road and/or rail journeys and lines in often isolated and, otherwise, impassable One of these developments was the establishment potential safety risks to the travelling public, those roads. of a Multi-Agency Response Team (MART). The with a potentially significant impact for large parts MART brings together our trunk road and rail of the network and where a multi-agency response Agreed travel warning messages operating companies, ACPOS, the Met Office, is needed. Since its inception the MART has A further benefit of the MART approach has Traffic Scotland, SCOTS (which represents regularly been used for situations, including the been the refinement of agreed travel warning transportation professionals in 32 Scottish councils return of volcanic ash last May and the high winds messages. This gives the travelling public a and the seven regional transport partnerships), the on 8 and 28 December and 3 January. It can also be consistent, clear message about the conditions and Road Haulage and Freight Transport Associations used during planned events like T in the Park, the when significant disruption is expected. The and the Confederation of Passenger Transport.

Tall Ships or the forthcoming Olympic Games MART set-up allows us to quickly and directly hear football in Glasgow. about a developing weather picture and respond accordingly, getting an agreed message out to the public ahead of the event. Together with the coloured warning system used by the Met Office we can clearly set out the conditions and context, which drivers, and travellers in general, can expect.

Each event has brought its own challenges.

However, as relationships mature and experiences develop the benefits of the MART approach will also increase in ways that could not have been expected.

The weather might be unpredictable, it will occasionally even be severe, and events like volcanic Transport Scotland Resilience Room - Operational inc Minister 4 December 2011 eruptions will arise. But one thing is certain, the MART approach means the headaches are shared Cooperation is vital and the solutions are better informed, appropriate The MART is based at the Traffic Scotland For issues that impact on more than one mode of and consistent. Unlike the weather that’s one thing Control Centre (TSCC) in Glasgow, allowing transport, such as high winds, this cooperation is I’m sure we can all agree on.

Transport Scotland and its MART colleagues to vital. The ability to speak with partners, share work together in one place. It also allows greater information and discuss alternative routes or www.transportscotland.gov.uk flexibility as activation can be either on a virtual or transport modes to reduce the impact has been a Follow @transcotland actual basis and proportionate to the nature of the major development. Being sited at the TSCC also Author: Hugh Gillies, disruption. gives immediate access to over 190 cameras, which Head of Network Operations, The MART is expected to be activated during a cover the trunk road network. When combined Transport Scotland range of events, such as when there is a high risk of with information from responders on the ground, On 6 December 2010, the Met Office recorded 60cm of snow at Livingston Mill, 51cm at Kinross and 29cm at Gogarburn, all of which are close to main commuter routes in the central belt. Throughout heavy snowfalls at peak rush hours, in the central belt, and prolonged freezing conditions well below average, across the whole country, the focus was to keep Scotland moving and moving safely.

We learned considerably over that whole period about our ability to respond and subsequently implemented a number of key improvements to better inform the public and quickly recover from such events.

“The MART approach means the headaches are shared and the solutions are better informed, appropriate and consistent.”

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The National Flood Forum: supporting communities at risk Flooding has a severe impact on people’s lives, causing trauma both during a flood itself, when people can be forced out of their houses and lose valuable possessions, and during the months and sometimes years that it takes to reinstate their homes. With 5.5 million people at risk of flooding, that’s one in six of the population. This is a serious issue.

Recent research from the Health Protection Agency makes a strong link between flooding and poor mental health and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has recently reported a tendency for people in areas that get flooded to be more vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Communities and individuals The National Flood Forum is a national charity dedicated to supporting and representing communities and individuals at risk of flooding.

We do this by: 1. Helping people to prepare for flooding in order to prevent it or mitigate its impacts 2. Helping people to recover their lives once they have been flooded 3. Campaigning on behalf of flood risk communities and working with government and agencies to ensure that the community perspective in flood risk is properly addressed.

There are huge changes underway that are affecting communities at risk of flooding.

The UK Climate Change Risk Assessment, published in January, identified flooding as the single greatest risk for the future. Furthermore, the assessment considered that the increased risk is short, medium and long term, unlike others that will only develop with time.

Better modelling by the Environment Agency is highlighting that many people are at risk of flooding now, who up until now have been unaware of this. We get lots of call from people who suddenly find that their insurance premiums or excess payments have gone up significantly, or that they struggle to get insurance at all.

The insurance industry for flood risk is itself changing. The Statement of Principles, the agreement between the Government and the

insurance industry whereby everyone contributes to pay for the overall costs of flood risk, is coming to an end.

Due to the increased costs of dealing with flood claims it is unlikely that it will be renewed in its current form.

We are particularly concerned to see that any replacement is available to all, is affordable and is accessible and are working with Government to try to make this happen. We also have worries that a consequence of any changes is that people will struggle to move out of flood risk areas as people become more risk aware, with consequences for house prices, mortgages and businesses. We are already aware of some places where the house market has collapsed following a major flood and the only houses that have sold have been for the buy to let market.

Changes in funding The method for funding flood defence schemes, and other flood management work has also changed, both with the introduction of regional flood and coastal committees to manage public funds and of partnership funding, where not all schemes will be funded to the full amount and contributions will be expected from local authorities, business, planning and regeneration gain, and the communities themselves.

The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 created Lead Local Flood Authorities in each area.

These partnership bodies, led by the local authority, now have responsibility for developing a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy and for coordinating activity to deliver it. This should make interventions much more sensitive to local needs, but it will take some time for the results to follow through.

You can find out more about these issues and support us by attending our annual conference on 7 March and by joining the National Flood Forum.

Details of both of these can be accessed through our website. www.floodforum.org.uk Follow @NatFloodForum

Author: Paul Cobbing, Chief Executive, National Flood Forum

Volunteers in snow rescue thanks to ambulance service training Two volunteers came to the rescue of a driver of a lorry that had jack-knifed in heavy snow – just one week after completing first aid training with the ambulance service. Cambridgeshire Search and Rescue (CamSAR) were called into action recently to help the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) get to patients in treacherous weather conditions with the aid of their 4x4s.

Two CamSAR members, Steve Tibbs and Trevor Wright, came across a particularly difficult incident on the A14. The pair were heading towards Cambridge when they saw a lorry that had jackknifed across the road with its trailer blocking one lane and its cab in a ditch. They stopped, called 999 and activated blue lights to warn drivers of the danger.

The driver was trapped in the cab, which was face down in the ditch with tree branches protruding through its windows. Another heavy branch was blocking the door. Trevor managed to climb down into the ditch and pull himself into the cab to check on the driver who was in shock and short of breath but otherwise unscathed.

Meanwhile Steve started to administer oxygen before the pair were able to get the driver out and into their warm 4x4 to wait for the ambulance to take him to hospital.

Both Trevor and Steve, along with other members of the CamSAR team, had completed training with EEAST the previous week for the whole team to be Community First Responders (CFRs).

Support and dedication CFRs respond to certain calls in the communities where they live or work to provide a first life-saving resource on scene while an ambulance crew is en route.

Hayden Newton, Chief Executive of EEAST and President of CamSAR, said Steve and Tony had his heartfelt gratitude. “I was delighted to meet the team last week to present them with their certificates for becoming Community First Responders – little did I know a few days later just how hard they were going to work to assist us and our patients,” he said. “As President of CamSAR I’d like to thank them for their invaluable support and dedication during this time.”

Paul Arnill, Unit Commander of CamSAR, said, “The whole team has recently passed a Community First Responder course provided by EEAST for such events, which has proved to be a valuable asset to the team and certainly would have come into full play during this incident.

“It is a reflection on the dedication and training of our volunteers that they contained the scene, treated the casualty, all without a thought for their own safety and once the patient was safe they continued with their deployment. We are all very proud of the immense effort put in by the whole team during the adverse weather conditions.” www.camsar.org Follow @CAMSar999

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Improved traction at the flick of a switch

RUD Chains has been manufacturing automatic chains for over 20 years and is ISO9001 quality system certified. RUD’s automatic snow chain system, ROTOGRIP®, has been specially designed for emergency and commercial vehicles that must be able to travel during hazardous Winter weather.

The versatile automatic snow and ice chain is deployed with just a flick of a switch from the driver’s seat, while the vehicle is in motion.

ROTOGRIP® enables emergency vehicles to reach their destination regardless of bad weather, a necessity in such a volatile industry, providing

convenience and safety.

RUD Chains, innovative automatic system will reduce downtime and increase efficiency and safety in those treacherous Winter months. Simply switch on when the weather becomes dangerous and off when the road is clear of snow and ice.

ROTOGRIP® has the ability to work as well in reverse as it does in forward, providing excellent traction at speeds as low as (3-4mph) and is designed for a wide range of vehicles and suspensions.

ROTOGRIP® chain wheels are known for their excellent quality of materials and construction. All chain strands are made from case hardened alloy steel. Key advantages of the system are that it can be easily installed and requires little effort in maintenance.

RUD supports all of its products with an outstanding level of customer service and training. Because RUD offers a wide range of solutions and automatic systems for a variety of emergency and commercial vehicles, the chains are the perfect choice for an automatic traction device. www.rud.co.uk Follow @RUDChain

Slip on vehicle ‘socks’ AutoSock are textile ‘socks’ that you slip over the driving wheels of vehicles which need extra grip on ice or snow – their application list covers most car, van and truck tyre sizes. They take up minimal storage space and, as there’s only one possible way to fit them, no practice is needed. They are reusable time and again but will wear out relatively quickly if used on harsh surfaces, eg rough tarmac or icerutted roads. It’s best only to use them when you get stuck, or if the road conditions look particularly tricky.

The devices work extraordinarily well in all snow conditions by maximising the dry friction available, requiring not only a deep understanding of the science but also specially developed high tech and hard wearing textiles.

AutoSock, a Norwegian company, created this concept over 15 years ago and has been developing it since, working with the German TÜV and Austrian Ö-NORM safety testing organisations as well as with car manufacturers. They must be good as the car and van versions are now approved for use in France, as an alternative to snow chains, where snow chains are required.

Air ambulances on alert

Beware of imitations If there is a downside to this success it is that the concept is being very widely copied. AutoSock owns the relevant EU patents and is taking legal action against the most blatant of the EU copiers, but this takes time, and in any event does not catch the opportunists who have been trading this winter in cheap Chinese made copies. As Martin Gray, Director of AutoSock’s UK importer, says, “It’s no surprise that the word has gone round the market about how well AutoSock work and, after the last two winters, how many copies there are this season.

These have done a lot to raise awareness, for sure, but some of this stuff is of such poor quality that it’s becoming clear that this is a serious consumer safety issue. We know that AutoSock and its lawyers are working with Trading Standards and VOSA on this issue. In the meantime we hope that our customers will use their commonsense, follow the precautionary principle and, if they decide to look at options other than AutoSock, ask to see evidence of safety certification as well as product liability insurance.” www.autosock.co.uk www.facebook.com/AutoSockSnowSocks Follow @AutoSockUK

Essex Air Ambulance in the snow.

During the recent cold weather Essex & Herts Air Ambulance crews have come to the aid of many patients who found themselves in need of specialist clinical care as a result of the freezing conditions.

Stuart Elms, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) Clinical Manager, said, “We have been able to assist our partner, the East of England Ambulance Service, by attending incidents in locations that a traditional land ambulance would not be able to reach because of the road conditions.

The air ambulances have attended incidents which would not normally necessitate a full helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) but in these adverse conditions a simple broken ankle from falling on the ice can quickly develop into a hypothermic patient in need of more emergency resources and a longer stay in hospital.”

On board the aircraft the EHAAT HEMS crews carry a medical protective wrap, which helps to prevent exposure to the elements and can be used with disposable heat pads that are applied to a patient’s chest. The doctor or paramedic can then monitor the patient’s temperature and try to keep them above 35°C. This can help to prevent the onset of hypothermia.

With temperatures hitting as low as -13°C in February, the Essex Air Ambulance HEMS doctor/paramedic team was able to attend incidents carrying full life-saving equipment. One such incident was to a hypothermic patient to assist the NHS ambulance service crews who were first at the scene. Working with the land crews the HEMS team was able to treat the patient using its specialist warming equipment and transport the patient safely to hospital. www.essexairambulance.uk.com

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How councils can cope with severe weather The last thing any local council wants is for its public services to come to a standstill because of the cold weather – their priority is to keep things moving, including people, transport systems and emergency services. They also need to ensure that businesses remain open.

We have just emerged from a severe cold snap and by and large, councils did a better job of managing the weather compared to previous Winters. Most of us can remember the 2010-11 cold snaps when councils up and down the UK appeared to be caught off guard. Many had insufficient salt supplies in place for gritting, an apparent lack of strategy for clearing the snow or gritting the roads and pavements and, generally, I think we can all agree, councils were simply too slow to respond.

Lack of preparation Their lack of preparation didn’t just affect transport and businesses – there were major financial consequences – with many councils overspending on their Winter budgets. In Scotland, Perth and Kinross County Council spent £5.2m in total – 100 percent more than its original budget.

And in the south there will similar problems – Suffolk County Council had a budget of £2.37m and ended up spending in excess of £3m.

Our economy also took a major hit at a time when it could ill afford it. According to the Federation of Small Businesses, the 2010-11 ‘Big Freeze’ cost the economy between £600m and £1billion per day. And, in last three months of 2010 GDP was down 0.6 percent.

When the temperatures started to drop this year, it was a different story, with councils keen to demonstrate that lessons had been learnt. Many council leaders reassured the public that they were ready for snow this time, with vast salt supplies and gritters in place and snow ploughs on standby and ready to go.

This was reassuring news particularly in light of the reports published last November, which claimed that many councils were cutting their Winter budgets in response to government spending cuts. Figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government had revealed that councils were planning widespread cuts to services like salting roads and snowploughing.

According to reports1, 67 councils had planned to cut their Winter road services budgets, with 33 set to spend 10 percent less than last year and 21 aiming to spend 30 percent less. In total, it was reported that local authorities were planning a significant 3.6 percent cut.

People and businesses at risk When we read these report, alarm bells rang.

Ultimately, if a council can’t provide adequate gritting or snow clearance services, they place people and businesses at risk in terms of their health and safety and their liability for any accidents.

The law places responsibility on employers and owners/occupiers that their premises are maintained in a condition that is safe and without risk of injury to every person that enters the site.

Anything hazardous that can be removed, such as snow and ice, must be removed. If not, not only will they be at risk of injury claims, which take time and money to process, but their insurance may be compromised if they cannot prove they used their best endeavours to maintain their premises in a risk-free state. It is a misconception they won’t be held liable for injury if they do nothing. Basically if someone is injured as a result of snow or ice – the owner/occupier of that premise will be held liable.

We all know that councils are concerned about ‘runaway’ Winter budgets and we can help them.

We work with private and public sector organisations, including several councils, to provide a dedicated gritting service to keep them open for business even in the most severe weather. Our service is supported by cutting-edge technology, which automates our operations so typically as soon as the road surface temperature falls to zero degrees our vehicles are sent to customers’ premises. A customer never has to worry about calling us – we just turn up and grit their premises giving them peace of mind they are protected and risk free at all times. And if a customer has a claim made against them we will defend their claim and protect their liability insurance.

No excuses We all know that councils are concerned about ‘runaway’ Winter budgets and we can help them.

We offer innovative service packages and flexible pricing options, which are helping organisations and government departments fix their costs to better manage their budgets.

We would urge local councils to plan adequately for Winter – putting in place dedicated services like GRITIT so they are fully protected. Fixing their costs for such a service upfront also means there are no excuses for overspends or for services to ever grind to a halt. www.gritit.com 1 Councils give UK roads the cold shoulder and cut gritting budgets: http://tinyurl.com/gritit

Author: Alastair Kight, Managing Director, GRITIT

AA team ready whatever the weather Overall, the Winter of 2011-12 has proved less eventful, in terms of weather, than the previous two years. Nevertheless, for those whose job it is to keep the motoring public on the move, the Winter has not been without its challenges. Heavy rain, high winds and snow have caused disruption in some areas, although thankfully not on the scale of the 2009 floods in Cumbria. Nevertheless, the AA’s Special Operations Response Team (AASORT) takes to the road when the need is there, be it floods or snow.

The AA’s regular patrol force deals with vehicle breakdowns around the clock throughout the year, but in times of severe weather the AA deploys its specialist team – AA SORT. This team is made up of both roadside patrols and indoor staff, all of whom have been trained to provide a specialist service in floods and snow. Using dedicated 4x4 Land Rover Defenders, team members leave their ‘day’ jobs when required and head out into the wet or cold.

Training for the team includes a RoSPA certified course in 4x4 driving, winching and using a kinetic rope. This provides a recovery capability ideally suited to Winter weather. Additionally, just over half the team are also certified as Swiftwater Rescue Technicians (Level 3), allowing the team to operate in flood zones, often in cooperation with other agencies.

Specialist function John Seymour, National Manager for Special Operations at the AA, says, “The concept of team members having a regular day job, but being trained for a second specialist function, is one we’ve pioneered over the last three years. It works really well for us, as we can avoid the overheads of a dedicated team, yet have the right people available when we need them.”

Ian Hemstock, the AA’s GIS analyst, is a team member. “Having the opportunity to go out on operational duty has really added value to my day job,” he says. “It’s given me a much better understanding of the AA’s core business, and I’ve had great job satisfaction from being able to go out and do something different. Helping people who have found themselves in potentially dangerous and sometimes frightening situations has been really rewarding.” www.theAA.com/aasort Follow @AASORT

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Police partnerships prove positive for Lakeside in long-term trials Sometimes the best way to achieve the optimal business results is not by taking the quickest route – as Lakeside Films Ltd, road traffic and safety distributor for Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Solutions, has amply proved.

Lakeside Films, based in Clevedon, Somerset, is a professional in all aspects of the road traffic and safety sector, and stocks the appropriate specialist Avery Dennison products, including microprismatic Avery Dennison T-7500 MVP (Maximum Visual Performance) reflective and fluorescent sheeting, and Avery Dennison HV 1302 REV metallised reflective films. With a carefully selected platform of five certified specialist converters, the company decided to promote these particular products as practical, cost-effective solutions for emergency vehicle markings in today’s quality-conscious, but cost-conscious, marketplace.

Lakeside Films’ Managing Director Scott Horne, who has extensive experience in the self-adhesive

signage and graphics industry, considered that the best way to achieve real market penetration was to work directly with the police authorities, and to conduct trials that would prove the effectiveness of the films in direct comparison with other solutions.

Partner police authorities Using the specifications created by the scientific development branch of the UK police as a starting point, which the Avery Dennison products meet in full, Lakeside Films set up formal long-term trials with two UK police authorities. Scott Horne says, “The aim was to create a market awareness that there are real performance differences between products available in the emergency vehicle markings market – and ultimately to convince the fleet managers of the police authorities that the Avery Dennison materials that we stock offer a better cost/performance ratio over the whole life of the vehicles. We knew we could prove it.”

Working with the company’s certified converters, Lakeside Films created markings using the chosen Avery Dennison films for a total of 12 emergency service vehicles within the vehicle fleets of its two partner police authorities, and embarked on field trials of the materials that were to last 12-18 months.

The requirements “While the ultimate visual appearance and daytime/night-time visibility of the markings were what really interested the police authorities’ fleet managers, we were just as concerned to prove the

Avery Dennison retro-reflective materials in terms of conversion, finishing, reflectivity values, and resistance to water ingress,” continues Scott Horne.

“Avery Dennison T-7500 MVP fluorescents and Avery Dennison HV 1302 REV retro-reflective films are high-performance, micro-prismatic products, offering exceptional convenience and economy in conversion – and the only such products available for emergency vehicle markings.

Omni-directional films mean that the chevron markings can be neatly ‘nested’ on the signshop plotter to save waste – up to 7-10 percent of material costs. And because there are no visually dead spots in the films’ construction, they are brighter once applied – both by day and by night.

These factors – including the use of an appropriate edge seal where required – are also part of the police specification.”

Unqualified success Scott Horne concludes, “The fleet managers of both police authorities loved the end results, both visually and in terms of the financial savings they represent. Both authorities have both now switched their material specification to Avery Dennison.”

Lakeside Films, and the company’s certified converters, is confident that it will benefit from increasing business in the emergency service vehicles service sector as a result of these trials – and has proved that a slow, measured approach to the market can bring real benefits. www.reflectives.averydennison.com www.lakesidefilms.co.uk.

Livery guidelines for mountain rescue vehicles revealed New Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW) livery guidelines have been announced, as shown at the MREW business meeting in November 2011. The two main purposes for the proposed guidelines are to make mountain rescue (MR) vehicles as visually conspicuous as possible as emergency response vehicles, and to harmonise the mountain rescue image across the country. This will enable members of the public and other emergency services to immediately identify MR vehicles en route or at the scene of an incident.

The orange and white checkerboard is the main and obvious marking, making the vehicle highly conspicuous when used for emergency response and this ties in with the colours already in use with MR. The rear of the vehicle uses inverted orange and yellow chevrons. The use of Prismatic grade material is recommended and the use of two rows of Battenburg could be used by teams if they

feel they have a need and work or stop primarily on high speed roads (motorway/dual carriageways).

Recommended design Teams are requested/required/asked to use this new recommended livery on their team vehicles and keep the design as it is. The area on the rear

side window or panel, depending on vehicle model, is open for the individual teams to use their team logo and wording as appropriate, eg ‘MOUNTAIN RESCUE’, ‘Name of Mountain Rescue Team’, either with or without the MREW or team logo. The website indicated on the rear door in the image shown is an example only and obviously, if needed, could be your own team’s web address.

The word ‘AMBULANCE’ must be on all four sides of the vehicle if you want to claim VAT back on a new conversion or have the vehicle exempt from Road Fund Licence.

Please avoid putting anything, including writing or logos, on the checkerboard as this disrupts the conspicuous markings and detracts from the reason why such markings are being used in the first place. www.mountain.rescue.org.uk

Author: Daryl Garfield, MREW Vehicles Officer

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How can the UK’s busiest ambulance service cope with growing demand at a time of budget cuts and reforms?

London Ambulance Service is the busiest in the country, receiving almost 1.5 million 999 calls a year, and demand is rising. This is against a backdrop of cost cutting, staff reduction and major NHS reforms. I believe the service can and must adapt to cope with what lies ahead.

Like many emergency services across the country, London Ambulance Service is facing challenging times. Its role is shifting, demand is growing, resources are being squeezed and commissioning arrangements are changing. In the immediate future the service must also prepare for a critical role when London hosts the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. How can it cope with all these different challenges while still providing a high quality service at this crucial time?

In our recent report on the future of the London Ambulance Service we concluded that closer collaboration with other emergency services could provide the answer.

Role of the service There is no doubt that the work of ambulance services has changed massively in recent years. The traditional idea that they simply transport patients to hospital is far from the truth. Crews increasingly have the skills to ‘see and treat’ patients at the scene.

As well as despatching ambulances to 999 calls, ambulances are often stationed where incidents are likely to occur, such as in town centres in the evening. Ambulance staff also provide support and advice to patients with less urgent conditions, often in their own homes or over the phone.

Despite the range of different health services, such as walk-in centres and community-based clinics, now available to people, there is no sign of the workload decreasing for London Ambulance Service – quite the opposite in fact. Over the past four years, the number of incidents it attends has risen by 12 percent. During 2010-11, that meant it received 1.5 million calls and responded to 1.1 million emergency incidents.

Despite such demand, it currently provides a good quality service to London’s residents and visitors. But it faces considerable challenges, not least from the substantial savings it is under pressure to make. In April last year London Ambulance Service, which employs 5000 staff and has an annual budget of £280m, announced a fiveyear ‘cost improvement programme’. This includes a £54m cut in its budget by 2015/16 and 893 fewer posts.

Major reform Meanwhile the NHS is undergoing major reform, with strategic health authorities and primary care trusts being abolished and the London Ambulance Service expected to become a Foundation Trust.

Here in London, there has also been debate about whether the Mayor should have a formal role in the capital’s ambulance service.

As the London Assembly’s Health and Public

Services Committee, we looked at all these factors and concluded that closer working with other blue light organisations and ensuring that the ambulance service remains an integral part of the NHS could help the service cut demand and increase efficiency.

Crews currently often waste time waiting at A&E for patients to be transferred to hospital staff. We therefore agree with the National Audit Office that there should be stronger incentives in hospital contracts to ensure A&E departments meet handover targets.

“London Ambulance Service has suggested regular formal discussions with the London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service to identify areas where efficiencies can be made and to improve collaboration.”

Better out-of-hours GP services, along with more mental health crisis teams and minor injury units in the capital, could also help cut demand.

At the moment, when people need an ambulance in London they can rely on it turning up quickly and the crew being skilled to help them in that ‘golden hour’ of an emergency. However, the more highly trained those arriving at a life-threatening situation are, the more lives will be saved. Over the longer-term there must therefore be a case for having doctors as part of ambulance crews.

Valuable service We also have the benefit of London’s air ambulance, staffed by doctors and paramedics, which saves time and lives in the capital’s crowded streets. This initiative is funded by the NHS and donations, but this valuable service is not available when the service’s only air ambulance is being repaired.

It is of course crucial that people do not ring 999 unnecessarily – three quarters of calls to the London Ambulance Service are for non-emergency incidents, some of these could be prevented or directed elsewhere.

The new NHS 111 telephone service to replace NHS Direct may help divert people from calling 999 unnecessarily, provided public awareness campaigns are successful.

Shared stations London Ambulance Service could save money if it shared more stations with other emergency services in London: currently 41 percent of ambulance stations in the capital have a fire station within 1km. The service should consider the potential benefits of paramedics joining police patrols, for instance when attending road traffic accidents. The Mayor of London’s new Office for Policing and Crime also needs to look at dispatching ambulances at police request: last year 300 were sent out every day in response to calls from the Metropolitan Police Service but only one was needed to save a life.

We think London Ambulance Service should remain an integrated part of the NHS but also work more closely with the Greater London Authority group. With this in mind, the London Ambulance Service should consider appointing representatives of the Greater London Authority, plus police, fire and transport organisations, to its Council of Governors.

Positively received Our report has been positively received by London’s emergency services. London Ambulance Service has suggested regular formal discussions with the London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service to identify areas where efficiencies can be made and to improve collaboration. London’s Fire and Emergency Planning Authority also recently agreed that it should discuss sharing services and facilities with the London Ambulance Service.

What is clear from our investigation is that the London Ambulance Service – like all the other blue light organisations across the UK – provides a hugely important service to the public. It is facing difficult times, but through new ways of working, both internally and with other emergency services, it can find efficiencies and manage demand. By taking such steps, we think it can continue to provide a high-quality service to London’s residents and visitors when they need it most. www.london.gov.uk

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Author: Victoria Borwick, Chair of the London Assembly’s Health and Public Services Committee.

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Cutting costs without lowering standards Faced with the need to cut costs in line with the public sector spending review, North Wales Police (NWP) reviewed its business, restructured its policing by function (replacing its traditional geographical, territorial model), and has already achieved significant cost savings. This improvement has occurred with no reduction in service to the region’s 676,000 residents, spread across an area of 6300 square kilometres.

Chief Inspector Mark Owen was responsible for implementing NWP’s new policing model, and the technology that supports it, with Intergraph as its IT partner. Chief Inspector Owen is a control room manager, and therefore has experienced the impact of the new regime on NWP’s command and control (C&C) environment. Chief Inspector Owen said, “In common with every other police force in England and Wales, we faced substantial budget cuts. We needed a way to save significant costs, while also maintaining effective and efficient service for our public.”

Demand analysis NWP set out to achieve a 15 percent reduction in staff by cutting 200 police officers and 100 support staff from the payroll over a two-year period. Using demand analysis, the force realigned its officers by reassigning them from quieter to busier areas, reduced NWP’s estate from 25 police stations to nine ‘response hubs’, and downsized an entire layer of Superintendent-level middle management following the removal of NWP’s geographically organised, divisional ‘silos’, as Mark Owen describes them. “Our operating slogan is now ‘one team’,” he explains.

Under the new business model, some 500 police personnel now operate as ‘response officers’, and are deployed to urgent 999 calls. A second function, ‘neighbourhood policing’, ensures that community needs are addressed, while a third function, ‘investigation’, comprises officers who handle crime enquiries and investigate incidents.

Seamless changeover The downsizing of the force extends to NWP’s control room, which is driven by Intergraph’s ‘I/CAD’ command and control system. Here, a reduction of 25 dispatchers and other command changes will realise £1m of savings in the current financial year alone.

“For I/CAD, the changes were major,” Mark Owen says. “The core software was the same, but its flexibility was tested to the limit. Geographical boundaries, officer and vehicle locations, and call signs all had to change literally overnight.”

In the run up to the new regime Intergraph built a complete shadow, background C&C system to help ensure a smooth changeover. All the new command parameters were put in place, and the interfaces between I/CAD and NWP’s records management system were tried and tested.

The changeover took place on the night of 4 May 2011: NWP went live with the remodelled C&C system at 5.00am, in readiness for the launch of the new policing regime, two hours later. “The changeover was almost seamless,” Mark Owen recalls.

Another challenge was to reduce the amount of control room talk time, given the smaller number of dispatch staff. Enhancements to the software on NWP’s Airwave sets solved the problem by adding

buttons that enabled officers to update their own statuses, send messages, and request callbacks from control using I/CAD. “Given the new structure, where talk groups are spread over a much wider, more costly Airwave area, these changes have also prevented a cost increase of some £100,000 a year,” Mark Owen adds.

NWP has also increased the GPS polling rate from 15 to two minutes on its handheld sets, allowing the control room staff to make far more efficient deployment decisions by letting them see where officers and resources are at any time.

The C&C system has ‘recommend’ tools that automatically select the resource closest to a job, allowing an officer or vehicle to be proactively assigned rather than waiting for them to volunteer.

To further speed the process, the system now updates symbols showing unit locations to reflect officers’ policing roles. It also provides status reports that establish whether an officer is available to attend an incident, en-route to or already attending an incident.

Improved control room performance Key metrics for NWP’s control room performance (including the speed at which 999 calls are answered and the time it takes officers to reach incidents once they’re recorded in the C&C system) reveal that performance levels have remained consistent following the major policing changes, despite a significant reduction in personnel.

“NWP officers and staff are still operating to a high level, despite the downsizing of the force,” Mark Owen concludes. “There has been no tangible drop in North Wales Police’s performance.

Technology has played a key role in enabling our smooth transition to a new regime, and in supporting a 15 percent downsized policing model that saves money while maintaining service levels.” www.intergraph.com/global/uk Follow @intergraph

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Cadcorp SIS brings improved productivity and data sharing to West Yorkshire Police West Yorkshire Police is the fourth largest force in the UK, serving a population of approximately 2.1 million people across the five metropolitan districts of Leeds, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. The physical area covers some 2000 square kilometers and is policed by around 5600 officers and 3600 support staff, including Police Community Support Officers.

By 2009, West Yorkshire Police had been using digital and computer mapping technology for over 10 years. However, changing requirements meant that the force was experiencing serious issues with its existing system. It was accessible only to a very small percentage of the force’s 9000 staff; licences were locked to individual PCs; users needed extensive training to master the software; data was often isolated into different systems; the task of updating even relatively static information, such as beats and boundaries, was proving difficult and accessing dynamic data was proving beyond the capability of the existing system.

The force’s needs have changed considerably since the original mapping system was deployed.

The modern force has a need to share data quickly and securely. It has new IT systems to integrate with, new working practices to accommodate, and performance targets to meet.

“The force will now be more effective at understanding the needs and priorities of its local communities.”

West Yorkshire Police identified that what they needed was a completely integrated and corporate GIS to serve the needs of various different departments within the organisation. The new system had to make data more accessible and improve data sharing; while remaining resilient, robust, and simple to use.

The system Following a competitive tendering process the force selected Cadcorp SIS® – Spatial Information System® (Cadcorp SIS) as its new corporate GIS. The integrated nature of Cadcorp SIS allowed the same core product to be deployed as a web-based GIS, a desktop GIS and as a GIS component integrated into the force command and control system. This approach enabled the same GIS data to be deployed across multiple functional areas, saving time and expense in system and data maintenance.

The objective of the web-based GIS was to keep it simple. West Yorkshire Police wanted everyone in the force to be able to access and use spatial data with minimal training. The Cadcorp Web Map Viewer interface was able to meet this brief. Behind the scenes a plethora of new data is now available at the touch of a button, including crime and incident details. This data is aligned to shift

Geodeomographic profiling.

Incident locations by type.

patterns, so communication of up to date information is provided to the right people at the right time. The outcome of having such rich and up to date data available is that the force will now be more effective at understanding the needs and priorities of its local communities.

and ensures that up to date base map data can be deployed to all users of the system regardless of their operational role.

Range of applications Desktop GIS users, including crime analysts, performance analysts and researchers, have been given access to concurrent licences of Cadcorp SIS Map Modeller. They are successfully using the system for a diverse range of applications that include routing, advanced crime analysis and geocoding. Users are able to connect directly to a range of data sources, run advanced spatial queries and choose from a full range of thematic and hot spot mapping techniques in order to display the results.

The system in use.

The final part of the corporate GIS deployment was the integration with the Force Command and Control System – Steria STORM. Cadcorp’s embedded components present the users of Steria STORM with a seamless GIS interface, which is providing efficiencies for resource despatch and response. These embedded components provide access to all of the map data available to the other desktop and web users of the system, including OS MasterMap®. This facility was not available in the system that the Cadcorp implementation replaced

The benefits • Sharing and disseminating data – With the old system many people found themselves replicating manual tasks and were finding it difficult to share vital information to the degree required in modern policing. The Cadcorp SIS installation has enabled the force to create templates for regularly performed tasks; saving time and effort • Efficiency savings – Previously any changes to the mapping system software, and data, would have been implemented individually for each user. Now, updates can be implemented globally, so one change is realised everywhere, reducing time spent on system maintenance •Increased access to maps and data – Online access through a simple user interface to multiple shared data sources will bring various benefits to the force. Extracting data is easier and faster, allowing each shift to access up-to-date crime and incident data.

The future The plan has always been to add capabilities, features and capacity over time. Cadcorp continues to invest in core product development and this was one of the reasons why Cadcorp SIS was selected.

The plan is not only to extend the capabilities of the intranet system but also to deploy the system in more departments.

In a fast changing environment with ever more challenging targets, shifting economic climate and budget cuts, the new system will enable West Yorkshire Police to remain lean, responsive and effective. www.cadcorp.com www.facebook.com/Cadcorp www.youtube.com/user/cadcorptv

Author: Ruth Holroyd, Marketing Consultant

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60 | PRODUCT INFORMATION

Black-out blinds

Many shift workers will dread the rapidly approaching early morning sunrises and long days of Spring/Summer. Precious sleep for thousands of daytime sleepers will become increasingly difficult as their bodies fight against the natural desire to be awake during daylight hours.

Lightsoutblinds.com has developed an easy to use, low-cost blackout blind designed to help trigger shift workers’ brain into thinking it’s night time. Retailing in pairs at £34.99, the award-winning blinds are completely portable, can be installed in seconds and multiples will fit any size window easily. The blinds can be used while windows are open and do not require any size adjustment. www.lightsoutblinds.com Follow @LightsOutBlinds

girth variations to be mixed when using the facility to zip the coat and trouser together to form a one-piece garment. For the coat, flexibility comes in the form of vented underarm panels, underarm gussets, a pleated back, quilted padding on the elbows, improved throat protection and weatherproof seal over the front zip.

Added comfort is provided in the form of angled pockets with flaps, full breathability through all layers and wrist straps to close sleeve hems over gloves. Combined comfort and safety features in the trouser include elasticated side waist, ergonomic curved knee shaping and quilted foam padding with Kevlar for protection and a leg gusset with concealed zip. The new USAR PPE is available in orange, High-Viz orange, red and navy and in three alternative outer fabric combinations. A choice of Protex Cotton, Nomex Delta C and Kermel is married up to a Gore Crosstech SR moisture barrier.

larger touchpad provides a familiar interface that is easy to use and clean, with no grooves or dirt traps. With a typical operating life of six hours, battery life is further preserved with a 15-minute sleep mode. Three levels of red backlit illumination enable the keys to be visible in all light conditions. www.bytec.co.uk Follow @BytecGroup

GPS for SAR

require the provision of a dedicated device. In such instances, the suitability of a mobile-based lone worker application becomes apparent, especially when combined with the fact that most UK workers now carry a smartphone. As all versions of Identicom mobile utilise the same interface and the same function terminology, ie Status Check, Amber Alert and Red Alert, companies are able to easily use a mixture of devices for their lone workers utilising the same communications policy, objectives and training. Identicom mobile has a neat user interface allowing the user to automatically open a ‘Red Alert’ through a definable single key or via the touch of the screen. In all cases the app is designed to help a user reduce the risk of verbal abuse or attack while working alone. www.connexion2.com Follow @Connexion2

Anti-ballistic vest fibre

www.bristoluniforms.co.uk Follow @BristolUniforms

Rugged wireless USB keyboard

TRIG from Trident Sensors is a GPS tracker, alert system and two-way data communications device, aimed at tracking personnel and vehicles in search and rescue (SAR) situations.

TRIG transmits positions, NMEA strings, alerts and other data via the Iridium satellite network for live display on mapping software. Devices are small, rugged, waterproof and easy to use, with up to 1200 position reports per charge. Two-way messaging and e-mail, using smartphone connectivity via Class I Bluetooth, is an additional powerful function.

Bytec Embedded, the embedded equipment manufacturer of the Bytec group, has launched an advanced small footprint, wireless, USB keyboard for demanding emergency services environments. The second generation Indi-Key™ keyboard offers wipe clean surfaces, improved key response and feel, a wider touchpad and an optional numeric keypad.

Designed for use where space and reliability is critical, the wipe-clean IP65-rated Indi-Key has been constructed with a Silver Ion antibacterial agent acting as a secondary defence to address increasing awareness of the spread of infection and cross contamination. The wireless dock enables quick replacement of a used keyboard with a newly cleaned one without the need for any user set-up. The ergonomic keyboard features fold flat keys for fast cleaning and has a lighter feel with a more tactile response plus the option of an integrated numeric pad for faster data input. The addition of a 29 percent

www.tridentsensors.com

USAR PPE

Following the successful launch of XFlex™, Bristol’s innovative PPE design for structural firefighter clothing, a new USAR coat and trouser has been added to the company’s firefighter PPE range. Sharing design DNA with XFlex™, the new kit features a number of advances on the previous design introduced in 2009, including a single zip size allowing any

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Lone worker app

Connexion2, manufacturer of the multi-award winning Identicom lone worker device (LWD), has further expanded its Identicom mobile offering with new versions of the ‘app’ for Android phones and Apple’s iPhone.

Offering much of the same functionality as found on Identicom, which is a dedicated device, the latest versions of Identicom mobile provide a lone worker a host of functions to help improve their safety in combination with all the style and usability of a touch screen handset. All versions of Identicom mobile have been specifically produced for lone workers who face risk infrequently and may not

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Teijin Aramid, with its head office in Arnhem in The Netherlands, is a producer of aramid fibres and delivers technologies in anti-ballistic protection for soldiers and police officers. The company’s latest fabric, Twaron® LFT SB1 plus is suitable for the next generation of soft ballistic vests, which are used as anti-ballistic protection.

The impact of a stopped bullet on a protective vest can cause injuries to the human body. Reducing Back Face Deformation (BFD) has therefore been a main priority for Teijin Aramid when designing the latest generation of Twaron materials for soft ballistic vests. Twaron LFT SB1 plus reduces BFD up to 30 percent while offering the same high ballistic performance as conventional systems. The new fabric is based on the high performance Twaron para-aramid fibre and integrates ballistic protection with integrated trauma control. It can also be used in combination with other

62 | PRODUCT INFORMATION Twaron ballistic products to produce hybrid protective vests that will protect against a specific threat. www.teijinaramid.com Follow @TeijinAramid

Mobile workstation

With a compact, portable and incredibly strong build, the RAM SeatMate™ from RAM Mount UK can effortlessly transform the passenger seat of any vehicle into a fully functional workstation without the need of additional tools for assembly. Featuring a truly innovative design, the RAM Seat-Mate™ is able to actively secure itself onto any seat for anyone that requires a temporary yet stable mobile computing solution. Designed with a supplied fabric travel bag to effortlessly pack away into any storage compartment, suit case or even under the seat of a vehicle, RAM makes it possible to assemble a safe and comfortable workspace in minutes wherever your work takes you.

With a host of spring loaded universal and custom fitted device holders available for a variety of laptops, netbooks, tablets and eReaders that can connect directly to the RAM SeatMate™, using your device on-the-go has never been easier.

with Adult Mask and Harness as one of its many new products in the company’s 2012 SP Services catalogue.

The CPAP system is a disposable respiratory aid device intended for use in the hospital and ambulance environments to provide non-invasive ventilation to the patient in respiratory distress. When connected to a regulated oxygen therapy gas supply and attached to the patient via the facemask, the device provides a constant positive airway pressure in the patient’s lungs throughout the respiratory cycle. This is achieved by selecting flow rates on the therapy flow control to create the desired rise in the baseline level. Single-use ‘Open CPAP’ delivery system provides incredibly accurate CPAP delivery for such a compact device and minimises pressure drop on inspiration and the peak pressure on expiration, thus producing a more uniform CPAP pressure throughout the respiratory cycle.

This CPAP system from O-Two is such an innovative design it was recently awarded the 2011 EMS World Innovation Award. SP’s 2012 catalogue will be published in March but is available to download now from the company’s website.

Telford based rescue and emergency equipment supplier, SP Services (UK) Ltd features the new O-Two CPAP

information, including videos, is all hosted on the app itself, meaning no internet connection is needed, making it fast and easy to access. The current version of the app features Winter weather tips on response and preparedness of the cold season. These are in line with the Ready for Winter campaign, which has been launched by the Red Cross to get the public to arm themselves with essentials in the event of a cold snap. To download the British Red Cross first aid app, use the Quick Response (QR) codes at redcross.org.uk/app or find it on iTunes AppStore, Android Market or Blackberry Appworld.

Mobile LED scene lighting

www.redcross.org.uk Follow @BritishRedCross

Battery operated combi tools

www.spservices.co.uk Follow @SPServicesUK

First aid app

www.ram-mount.co.uk Follow @RamMountUK

Disposable respiratory aid

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The British Red Cross has launched a first aid app for smartphones designed to empower smartphone users across the world to act in an emergency.

The app features simple, easy-tounderstand advice on 18 everyday first aid scenarios, as well as tips on how to prepare for emergencies, from severe Winter weather to road traffic accidents. Available for iPhone, Android and Blackberry, the innovative free app features videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice – allowing users to save lives at a swipe of their touchscreens. The

New from Weber Rescue Systems is the E-Force series of battery-operated combi tools. Lightweight, strong and with a changeable battery, these modern combi tools provide maximum force without being connected to a power unit. The modern and powerful 28V Li-Ion battery-technology ensures a longer-lasting operating time and enables flexible operation in difficult to reach regions. The clickon/click-off system provides a fast and easy battery change, saving valuable down time. The lightweight and compact construction of the tools additionally saves space and weight in a vehicle. Various accessories such as the ram attachment, chain set, pulling device, battery charger, battery pouch and belt are also available. Furthermore, the batteries are compatible with other battery-operated tools offered by Weber Rescue Systems, such as the recip and metal-cutting circular saws. www.weber-rescue.com Follow @weberrescue

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Vimpex has introduced a new mobile scene lighting system, the Canguro SceneStar, which combines powerful Akron LED lighting with a portable and robust lighting platform to provide a unique high performance scene lighting solution for the emergency services. The sturdy Canguro trolley holds a permanently fitted mast, which when collapsed is compact and easily stowed. The mast extends up to 4.5m to cast bright white light over a wide area while remaining portable, versatile and moveable even during operation. The SceneStar LED light is engineered to provide maximum visibility with exceptional light output. Featuring the latest in LED technology, vibrant white light, low operating temperatures, optical control and high quality Akron engineering, the light outputs an amazing 14,000Lumen at 150W, which up to now has not been available in a portable lighting package. www.rescue-tools.co.uk Follow @jamesvimpex

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Cold, wet and dehydration can reduce performance and impair safety. By fitting a ‘TeaMate’ water boiler, crews can make themselves a cup of tea, coffee or other hot beverage to keep warm and hydrated, therefore maximising concentration and keeping fatigue to a minimum.

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Choose from seven great tasting, ready to eat recipes: Chicken Casserole, Lancashire Hot Pot, Chicken Dopiaza Curry, Sausages and Beans, Spicy Vegetable Rigatoni, Meatballs & Pasta and Vegetable Curry.

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64 | LAST WORDS

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Blue light air assets: future operations During the second half of 2011, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) undertook a short research project on the use of helicopters by the UK emergency services. The final paper from this project, entitled Blue Light Air Assets: Cost effective operations for the future was published in December and an electronic copy can be downloaded free from the RUSI website at www.rusi.org/airassets. The research focused on the potential for increased joint working between the UK emergency services in situations where air assets can add real operational (as well as financial) efficiencies.

The initial focus of the research was on search and rescue operations – both offshore and in land – but it soon became apparent that the use of air assets for monitoring operations, surveillance and the swift transportation of specialist personnel and equipment also warranted attention.

A particular consideration was the options for the future of search and rescue in the UK following the expected withdrawal of military assets in the near future, which was confirmed on the same day as the report was launched.

RUSI’s recommendations call on the Government to use the change in search and rescue provision as an opportunity to review public sector air asset use more generally and to ensure that the future of search and rescue is not considered in isolation from other public sector reviews of air asset usage such as the National Police Air Service project and the withdrawal of MCA funding from the joint MCA/Fire and Rescue Service Maritime Incident Response Group (MIRG).

Asset sharing and joint operations Building on previous work RUSI has undertaken on emergency services interoperability, the research explored opportunities for asset sharing and joint operations between the police, fire and rescue and ambulance services, as well as their interaction with other organisations such as air ambulance charities and private sector helicopter operators.

“There is a lot more discussion to be had on the subject of UK public sector air asset use.”

A number of issues emerged during the research, which RUSI intends to take forward throughout 2012 and beyond.

In particular, the research highlighted the need to consider operational requirements first, and the methods of achieving them second: just because current search and rescue operations are conducted by helicopters, this does not mean that helicopters are the only solution. In some cases other air assets, including fixed wing aircraft and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles or ‘drones’) may prove to be efficient alternatives.

Several respondents pointed to the need to consider operational requirements even more broadly. Questions were asked, for example, about the ability of lifeboats (and perhaps the RNLI as an institution) to take on some additional offshore rescue operations, and the ability of off-road vehicles to perform search and rescue operations across remote rural terrain in-land. In the case of

the latter, the six-wheeled Polaris vehicles recently acquired by the ambulance service’s Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART) are already proving to be an advantage across terrain that would previously have been inaccessible by ground. The different operational requirements of operations over land, near to the coast and far off-shore need to be considered in more detail to fully understand which assets are most appropriate for each environment, how they are best used and how they interact.

Financial and efficiency savings This certainly did not suggest that helicopter usage by the emergency services should be scaled down considerably (as AgustaWestland, who largely sponsored the research, were pleased to hear!) as the research also highlighted and identified areas in which increased air asset availability might help to make financial and efficiency savings. These included, for example, transporting specialist firearms teams, CBRN expert responders and medical specialists quickly to emerging and ongoing incidents. Non-emergency operations, such as medical transfer, VIP transport and crop dusting should also be considered and in this regard international organisations such as the Hong Kong Government Flying Service provide interesting models of what a fully integrated, fully interoperable Government-administered pool of air assets can achieve.

Discussion workshops Two discussion workshops were held during the course of the research – one in Yeovil and another in London. A draft research paper was sent out for discussion in September 2011 and the launch event for the final paper in December 2011 featured a

discussion panel that included the Department of Transport’s Jeremy Rolstone, Assistant Chief Constable Allyn Thomas and Inspector Phil Raymond of the National Police Air Service project, and Peter Aldrick of the Air Ambulance Association. All made it clear that while the research paper had identified and highlighted some important issues, there is a lot more discussion to be had on the subject of UK public sector air asset use.

Exploring the issues further RUSI is therefore continuing its research on air asset use across Government into 2012 and beyond, starting with a conference on the topic that will be held at its central London offices on Whitehall on 17 April 2012. This will provide speakers and delegates with the opportunity to further explore the issues highlighted above. Further information on the conference and on the ongoing research can be found online. www.rusi.org/airassets

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Author: Jennifer Cole, Research Fellow Royal United Services Institute