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AUGUST 2012
VOLUME 13 | 4
ᔡ News: praise following success of London 2012 policing ᔡ News: mutual aid partnership deal signed in Scotland ᔡ People: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service names first Chief Officer ᔡ In profile: NARU, the National Crime Agency and CamSAR ᔡ Events: attractions at The Emergency Services Show 2012 ᔡ Profile: vehicle lighting specialist Premier Hazard ᔡ Vehicles: NAPFM focus on collaboration and use of UAVs in disaster management ᔡ G4S comment: Private sector involvement in policing is here to stay ᔡ SAVE ME Project: the role sensor-based systems play in transport emergencies ᔡ A guide to some of the latest products and services available ISSN 1472-1090
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Emergency Services Times 13.4_– 23/08/2012 15:26 Page 1
CONTENTS | 1
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Regular features First Words Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, National Olympic Security Coordinator, takes pride in the policing operation of the London 2012 Olympics
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News Mutual aid partnership to benefit emergency responders in Central Scotland, BIKE initiative targets arsonists in Warwickshire and multi-agency response in Dorset to cliff fall.
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Profiles The National Crime Agency, plus focus on the support capabilities of Cambridgeshire Search and Rescue
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The National Ambulance Resilience Unit, which works with NHS ambulance trusts to provide a safe and reliable response to major incidents
53
Events Attractions galore at The Emergency Services Show 2012, including the inaugural National Interoperability Summit
14
Company Profile Premier Hazard and the PSE Group uses innovation and design technology paired with continuous investment to stay ahead of the competition in the LED vehicle lighting market
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Page 53 – A profile of the National Ambulance Resilience Unit.
Inside this issue Vehicles
Training
Vauxhall enhances its eco-friendly range, fire and rescue service vehicle orders, cost-saving benefits of vehicle tracking solutions, plus mobile satellite communications, vehicle disposal and recycling
How CPDme can assist pre-hospital care employees and others with Continuing Professional Development
19
Outsourcing John Shaw, Managing Director of Policing Support Services at G4S, says private sector involvement in policing is here to stay
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National Resilience The work of the National Resilience HVP Capability and partners into the feasibility of extending hydraulic power hoses to improve the effectiveness of High Volume Pumps at incidents where exceptional operational circumstances may be involved
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Contracts & People First Chief Officer of the new single Scottish Fire and Rescue Service announced, North Fire wins Argus thermal image camera deal and a new Chair for the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives
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Product Information An AED that combines real-time CPR feedback, fast shock times and escalating energy, DuPont’s secondgeneration Tyvek coverall, plus an LED torch, compact life jacket and memory kneepads
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Last Words SAVE ME, a project to investigate the role sensor-based systems could play in mitigating the impacts of a transport emergency event
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Page 41 – Grampian Fire and Rescue Service badges up a new appliance in readiness of the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service next April.
Emergency Services Times August 2012
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2 | A-Z
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Companies Company Name
Page No
3M.........................................................................................................42 AES.......................................................................................................29 AMBITION 2012 ...............................................................................16 Antares.................................................................................................23 Association of Air Ambulances.........................................................16 Association of Ambulance Chief Executives.............................15, 46 Association of Chief Police Officers.....................................15, 19, 29 Association of Industrial Road Safety Officers...............................21 Association of Police Authorities........................................................6 Auto Umbau........................................................................................42 Avon Fire and Rescue Service ......................................................5, 41 Babcock International....................................................................4, 51 Badgemaster ..........................................................................................6 Balcan Engineering ............................................................................61 BBB Investments Ltd ........................................................................61 Becrypt.................................................................................................46 Bluelite Graphics Ltd ........................................................................38 BMW....................................................................................................28 Bott.......................................................................................................42 British Red Cross..................................................................................4 C-COM Satellite Systems ..................................................................26 Cabinet Office ...............................................................................14, 15 Cambridgeshire Constabulary...........................................................13 Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service........................................13 Cambridgeshire Search and Rescue .................................................13 Carbon Monoxide Awareness..............................................................6 Cardiac Science ...................................................................................59 Care Quality Commission....................................................................5 CEGA .....................................................................................................5 Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service.......................................41 Central Scotland Police........................................................................6 CFM Services......................................................................................15 CFOA National Resilience Ltd ....................................................4, 51 Cheshire Constabulary.........................................................................4 Chief Fire Officers' Association..................................................10, 15 CL-7 Limited ......................................................................................62 Clan Tools & Plant Ltd......................................................................45 College of Policing................................................................................5 The Consortium Fire and Rescue ....................................................36 Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service......................................................6 CPDme.................................................................................................49 Department for Communities and Local Government ...........10, 15 Department of Health..................................................................15, 53 Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service ...........................5, 11 DMS technologies ..............................................................................42 DNA Tracker.......................................................................................61 Dorset Fire and Rescue Service..............................................8, 28, 46 Dorset Police .......................................................................................28 Draeger Safety UK Ltd......................................................................56 DuPont.................................................................................................60
Company Name
Page No
Company Name
Page No
Dyfed-Powys Police..............................................................................4 e2v.........................................................................................................45 East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust..................4, 13, 46 Emergency One (UK) Ltd ..........................................................41, 45 Emergency Planning Society................................................14, 16, 46 The Emergency Services Show.........................................................14 Environment Agency...............................................................6, 14, 38 Essex County Fire and Rescue Service ............................................45 Excelerate Technology Ltd..........................................................16, 32 FAB Recycling Ltd ............................................................................27 Ferno..............................................................................................42, 61 Fischer Panda......................................................................................42 G4S .......................................................................................................48 Gama Aviation Limited.....................................................................45 Globehuggers Emergency Supplies....................................................6 Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service.........................................26 Government Decontamination Service .....................................14, 62 Grampian Fire and Rescue Service ..................................................41 Great Western Ambulance Service...................................................32 Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service ..................................................4 Hampshire Police .................................................................................4 Health Protection Agency...........................................................14, 62 Highways Agency.........................................................................14, 38 Home Office .........................................................3, 5, 6, 14, 15, 27, 29 Hytrans Systems BV...........................................................................51 Hyundai ...............................................................................................42 Independent Ambulance Association ................................................5 Jaguar ...................................................................................................22 Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme................15 Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service ................................................15 LEADER .............................................................................................62 Lincolnshire Police ............................................................................48 Lion Apparel Systems Ltd ................................................................45 Local Government Association ........................................................10 London Ambulance Service....................................................5, 28, 45 London Fire Brigade ...................................................................28, 51 MAN ................................................................................................4, 41 Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Portland..............................8 Metropolitan Police..................................................................3, 28, 46 Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service ................................41 Mullion ................................................................................................62 National Ambulance Resilience Unit ..............................................53 National Association of Police Fleet Managers..................19, 27, 42 National Blue Light Users Conference............................................21 National Crime Agency .....................................................................13 National Interoperability Summit....................................................15 National Policing Improvement Agency...................................19, 29 Newcastle University .........................................................................64 Niton Equipment................................................................................61 Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service......................................................41
Norfolk Resilience Forum.................................................................46 North Fire PLC............................................................................10, 45 North Yorkshire Police ......................................................................46 Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service ...................................61 Northamptonshire Police ....................................................................4 Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service........................................6 Onus Technologies .............................................................................38 Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service...........................................4, 45 PageOne Communications ................................................................46 Peugeot.................................................................................................28 Plastic Extruders Ltd.........................................................................42 police ICT company Ltd .....................................................................6 Premier Hazard Ltd...........................................................................24 Primetech (UK) Ltd...........................................................................26 RAF SAR...............................................................................................4 RESCUE 2012.....................................................................................16 RHA Recovery ....................................................................................14 RIEGL .................................................................................................46 RNLI................................................................................................8, 16 Rosenbauer International AG...........................................................10 Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service..........................................4 RVG......................................................................................................21 Sandhurst Group ................................................................................38 SAVE ME ............................................................................................64 Scania ...................................................................................................41 Scottish Ambulance Service..............................................................45 Scott Medical.......................................................................................41 Scott Safety..........................................................................................14 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service......................................................41 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Advisory Unit............................45 Scottish Fire Services College...........................................................45 Sepura...................................................................................................46 South West Ambulance Service ........................................................28 St John Ambulance ....................................................................4, 5, 28 Suffolk Resilience Forum ..................................................................46 Surrey Police .......................................................................................32 Tayside Fire and Rescue Service.......................................................45 TRACKER ..........................................................................................35 University of Southampton...............................................................30 Vauxhall .........................................................................................23, 42 VCS Limited .......................................................................................28 Vehicle Certification Agency.............................................................19 Vimpex Limited..................................................................................61 Volkswagen Group..............................................................................19 Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service..............................................6 Warwickshire Police .............................................................................6 Weber Rescue ......................................................................................41 West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust .................16, 46, 53 West Yorkshire Police.........................................................................27 Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.........................................4
Company Name
Company Name
Advertisers Company Name
Page No
Aireshelta plc ......................................................................................48 Amputees in Action............................................................................52 Babcock International........................................................................50 Bluelite Graphics ................................................................................17 BMW....................................................................................................39 British Red Cross................................................................................55 Cardiac Science ................................................................................IFC The Consortium Fire and Rescue ....................................................39 CREST .................................................................................................58 Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service................................12 DMS technologies ..............................................................................57 Emergency Planning Society CBRN Decontamination Workshop .........................................................58
Page No
Page No
Excelerate Technology Ltd..........................................................32, 33
RSG Engineering Limited ................................................................17
Fire Ladders Ltd ................................................................................63
RVG......................................................................................................57
Land Rover .............................................................................25, 27, 29
SP Services (UK) Ltd....................................................................OBC
Lakeside Films Ltd............................................................................34
Strongs Plastic Products....................................................................37
Lyon Equipment Limited ...................................................................9
TRACKER ..........................................................................................43
Niton 999 Equipment ........................................................................60
University of Leicester.......................................................................50
North Fire PLC ..................................................................................44
Vauxhall .................................................................................................7
Onus Technologies .............................................................................37
Vimpex Limited..................................................................................55
Pickup Systems Ltd ...........................................................................31
Volkswagen Group..............................................................................18
Premier Hazard Ltd ................................................................OFC, 20
WH Bence............................................................................................40
Primetech (UK) Ltd...........................................................................47
Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show.....................................IBC
Red Box Recorders Limited..............................................................17
WILL-BURT ......................................................................................34
Emergency Services Times August 2012
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FIRST WORDS | 3
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Date:
August 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
Joint Managing Directors: David Brown David Holden Published by
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Police praised for Olympic efforts before, during and after the Games On the conclusion of the policing operation for the Olympic Games, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, National Olympic Security Coordinator, said, “This has been an absolutely fantastic Olympic Games, with the focus entirely on the sport, which is exactly how we wanted it. The strength of the partnership that was built over so many years has got to be a factor in why things have gone so well. “I am exceptionally Met Police Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, National Olympic Security Coordinator. proud of the way that the Accompanied by LOCOG Chairman Lord Coe police service has stepped up to the mark and been and Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, the a part of delivering an Olympic Games that has Home Secretary toured the venue, including the caught the imagination of the public. Park Operations Centre, the hub of the security
“We were able to show the police service at its absolute best, officers enjoying their interactions with the public while still working hard to keep everyone safe.” “We were able to show the police service at its absolute best, officers enjoying their interactions with the public while still working hard to keep everyone safe. I've seen first hand the response to our officers, not just in the Olympic Park but across London, and we have been touched by the public’s warm response. “Officers are human too and we also got swept up in Olympic fever. The sport has been magnificent and we have marvelled at the fantastic performances of the athletes.” Home Secretary Theresa May visited the Olympic Park on the final Saturday of the Games to thank police officers who worked to make London 2012 a success.
operation, from where every inch of the Olympic Park was monitored on banks of screens. She then met police officers from a number of different forces and thanked them for the vital role they have played in making London 2012 a safe, secure and memorable Olympic Games. The Home Secretary said, “This has been the biggest ever peacetime policing operation and the police have done a fantastic job. There's been huge positive feedback from the public.” On Friday 10 August Policing Minister Nick Herbert visited a briefing centre at Battersea Power Station to thank officers for their hard work. He said, “The Olympic Games is showcasing the best of British – and that includes the police service. Over the past fortnight our police officers have shown why they are the finest in the world, whether through their friendly engagement with the public, or working quietly behind the scenes keeping the rest of the capital safe.” Following the success of the policing of the Olympics Games, the Met Police continued their preparations for the Notting Hill Carnival and the Paralympic Games, with up to 7000 officers on duty during peak days. www.met.police.uk
Emergency Services Times August 2012
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4 | NEWS
In brief . . . Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust joined forces with St John Ambulance and the British Red Cross to host events in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire in July to raise awareness of hands-only CPR. The three organisations hoped that over 500 people would watch demonstrations of the CPR technique and try it out for themselves on a mannequin. However, organisers were thrilled on the day when over 700 people took part and learnt the potentially life-saving techniques.
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First dig at new HART ambulance RAF SAR exercise over station in Braintree York Minster E Flight, 202 Squadron, based at Normandy Barracks near Beverley, North Yorkshire, has taken part in a simulated casualty evacuation exercise from the central tower of York Minster. As RAF SAR continues to deal with more urban search and rescue scenarios, they were asked to reacquaint themselves with the problem of plucking potential casualties from the public access cage on top of the central tower of York Minster.
www.yas.nhs.uk
Plans for a joint control centre for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (OFRS) have been approved. Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet and Royal Berkshire Fire Authority gave the go ahead for the Thames Valley Fire Control Service (TVFCS) at separate meetings held on 17 July. The TVFCS’ primary control will be located at RBFRS’ new headquarters in Calcot, near Reading and is anticipated to go live in April 2014. It is projected to save £659,000 per year between the two fire and rescue services, with £229,000 per year of this reinvested in system maintenance and future replacement costs. Over the 15-year life of the agreement it will save almost £10m. www.rbfrs.co.uk
Dyfed-Powys Police has upgraded its 101 non-emergency telephone service to provide callers with a list of pre-recorded options to help speed up their enquiry and reduce waiting times. Benefits for the public include faster reporting of incidents and reduced waiting times while partner agencies will benefit by being able to directly dial internal extension numbers. The upgraded bilingual service will enable calls to be directed to the most appropriate resource more quickly and deliver lower running costs providing value for money. The upgraded system will also give police in Dyfed-Powys the ability to create pre-recorded messages that can be played to callers in the event of major incidents. www.dyfed-powys.police.uk
Cheshire Constabulary has joined with colleagues in Northamptonshire to pool their resources. The result is Multi-Force Shared Service, a completely new way of working, which links the two police forces through a new computer system, despite being hundreds of miles apart. www.cheshire.police.uk
The ‘first dig’ was made by Chairman of Braintree District Council Lynette Bowers-Flint and Interim Director of Operations Neil Storey and Vice Chair Paul Remington.
Work has begun on the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust’s (EEAST) new ambulance station on the Skyline 120 Business Park at Great Notley in Braintree. This new ambulance station, located on the 22,760 square foot site, will house the region’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART). In the event of an incident, such as a collapsed building, HART staff can work alongside firefighters within the hazardous environment to treat the patient, ensuring the patient gets the care they need from the moment
they need it. Previously, ambulance staff had to wait until the patient was brought to them by the firefighters. Hayden Newton, Chief Executive of EEAST said, “We are delighted to be developing this new facility in Braintree, which will enable us to provide an even better and more specialist health care to the local community and across the region.” The new building should be completed by the end of the year and will be fully operational early next year. www.eastamb.nhs.uk
Babcock engineers support multi-agency 999 exercise
Babcock successfully supported its customer, CFOA National Resilience Ltd, at one of the biggest interoperability exercises for the emergency services within Hampshire. Located within the New Forest in May, Operation Shannon tested aspects of the High Volume Pump (HVP) capability and was organised by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service in cooperation with Hampshire Police and CFOA National Resilience Ltd. In attendance were HVPs and supporting crews from Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Royal Berkshire, Isle of Wight, Surrey and Dorset fire and rescue services. Babcock provided essential equipment logistics and equipment maintenance support in the form of a prototype HVP module and a Babcock
The Leconfield Sea King over York Minster by FS Andy Carnall and SAC Gina Edgcumbe of RAF SAR Force.
Mobile Maintenance Unit, which were stood by at the designated Tactical Holding Area throughout the duration of the exercise. The HVP equipment used forms part of the Fire and Rescue National Resilience capability, and Babcock has responsibility for managing these assets. During exercises, Babcock multi-skilled engineers carry out running repairs on the vehicles, which ranged from vans to the specialist MAN National Resilience emergency fire appliances, and ensure repair or replacement of any faulty equipment. The 24/7 support to the vehicles and equipment ensure Babcock’s customer can focus on its role within the exercise.
Commanding Officer of E Flight at Leconfield, Sqn Ldr Stu Gwinnutt, commented, “The RAF SAR Force specialises in extracting people from near inextricable situations so when Rebecca Thompson, the Superintendent of Works at York Minster, enquired as to whether we’d be interested in carrying out a training exercise to assess the obstacles at the top of the tower we jumped at the chance. “202 Squadron has been involved in similar rescues in the past, notably at Durham Cathedral, when a member of the public collapsed at the top of their tower and our capability proved to be crucial in getting the casualty to definitive care as soon as possible, without a very long carry down a spiral stair case.” Superintendent Rebecca Thompson, who is responsible for the Minster craftspeople, said, “I’m very pleased with the exercise, it showed the true professionalism of the RAF Search and Rescue team and gives reassurance that in the case of emergency we have the best response available.”
www.babcock.co.uk
E-mail: SAR-DMCO@mod.uk
Emergency Services Times August 2012
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Regulation decision soon for private ambulances in Scotland
New craft for flood rescue training in Devon and Somerset
The Independent Ambulance Association (IAA), which represents private services regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England, is planning to extend its geographic reach to Scotland. An IAA spokesman said that after many years of debate and consultation the association believed a decision is expected by the end of the year in favour of regulating independent ambulance companies north of the border.
The IAA spokesman added, “We are very familiar with such minimum standards which largely reflect those of the Care Quality Commission in England with whom we have a close working relationship as the sector’s stakeholder advisers on future strategies such as compliance inspection policies and registration fees. “In the likely event that independent ambulance regulations are introduced in Scotland we would offer IAA’s membership to registered companies and at the same time hope to establish a working relationship with Health Improvement Scotland, the body which is already in place to supervise the regulations.” There are at least 10 independent ambulance services operating across Scotland, providing a range of services including transporting patients to and from independent healthcare facilities and providing clinical support at sporting and other events. www.iaauk.org
Firefighters in Devon and Somerset are being trained to respond to future large flooding incidents using a new 585 Ribcraft. The 585 model is fitted with a Suzuki DF90 outboard engine chosen for its power to weight ratio as well as fuel efficiency. It will be used to train the south west based swift water teams crews to RYA Level 2 Standard. The craft will be stored at Yacht Haven Quay, Plymouth, a purposebuilt, undercover dry stack facility offering secure berths with full weather protection. Group Manager Nick Jones, Principal of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service’s RYA Training Section, said, “We are extremely grateful to Yacht Haven Quay for allowing us to use their excellent storage facilities for this important resource. Fire-
fighters regularly deal with flooding incidents but there is the possibility that our specialist crews may be called to assist with a large-scale flooding incident in Devon or elsewhere across the country. This vessel will be used to ensure they are sufficiently trained to deal with any flooding-related incident.” The swift water rescue teams operate as part of the national flood response set-up. The new Ribcraft is in addition to the service’s existing 12m Cat, which operates out of Plymouth. Will Rahder, Director of Yacht Haven Quay, Plymstock, said, “Yacht Haven Quay is delighted to support our local fire and rescue service, recognising what an essential job they do both on and off the water.”
Paramedic team leader, Richard Tea.
Jason Killens said, “It was the greatest sporting event of all time and we are proud to have played our part in it. While we did go to more seriously ill and injured people than this time last year, we were not as busy as expected. This is probably because Londoner’s
In brief . . . Air ambulance and emergency medical assistance provider, CEGA, has launched a private repatriation service for individuals in medical need overseas, who either don’t have travel insurance or find that their policies don’t cover them. CEGA’s Emergency Repatriation Manager Cecilia GeofiloPearson says, “Our in-house team of multi-lingual medical and assistance repatriation specialists will organise everything from intensive care transport to a patient’s home country (or to a country that offers suitable medical care), to making travel arrangements for work colleagues or relatives, translating important medical information and bringing deceased family members home.” Every one of CEGA’s customised repatriations is crewed by a suitably experienced medical team; providing constant medical care and attention throughout the transfer. www.cegagroup.com
Avon Fire and Rescue Service has won a 2012 West of England Carbon Champions Award. The service was singled out for its site metering, boiler replacement, improved heating controls, and for introducing a pool car system, which has cut business travel. The service is now looking at ways of being even more energy efficient. Solar photovoltaic systems have been installed at Nailsea and Nova Way, each with the potential to save over £2000 per year on energy costs, while headquarters has switched to a renewable electricity supply, which cuts emissions and could save more than £6000 on last year’s power costs. www.avonfire.gov.uk
www.dsfire.gov.uk
Ambulance Service proud of its Olympic efforts While Team GB delivered the most successful Games in more than a century, behind the scenes London Ambulance Service was making sure it was a safe and healthy event for all those taking part. In addition to people treated by LOCOG Medical and St John Ambulance, the service attended over 850 patients in Olympic venues and related events such as live sites and the torch relay. Over 500 people were taken to hospital or the polyclinic at the Olympic Park. Between 28 July and 12 August London Ambulance Service attended 46,226 incidents compared to 44,700 during the same period last year. Deputy Director of Operations
NEWS | 5
have less chance of being injured if they are glued to their televisions – captivated by the Games watching Team GB bring home the medals.” During the Games, Londoners got a fast response from their ambulance service. In the time between the opening and closing ceremonies, ambulance crews reached 85 percent of the most sick and injured patients in eight minutes – beating the government target of 75 percent. Around 200 staff from other ambulance trusts came to London to provide additional support during the Games. www.londonambulance.nhs.uk
Emergency Services Times August 2012
A College of Policing will be set up to develop professionalism, improve the evidence base for policing and help officers in the fight against crime, Home Secretary Theresa May has announced. The independent body will protect the public interest by enhancing police standards, identifying evidence of what works in policing and sharing best practice among officers. It will provide a range of functions from supporting the education and professional development of staff and officers to setting standards for specialist skills training such as investigation, intelligence and firearms. The current role of all ACPO business areas in developing national standards and police practice will also come under the responsibility of the College of Policing. www.homeoffice.gov.uk
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6 | NEWS
In brief . . . A new company has been set up to help police forces to improve their information technology (ICT) and get better value for money from contracts. The police ICT company Ltd is currently jointly owned by the Association of Police Authorities and the Home Office but will be handed over to Police and Crime Commissioners following elections in November. The new company will be responsible for providing strategic ICT advice and guidance to forces and the procurement, implementation and management of ICT solutions for forces. Its aim is to enable greater innovation so police officers have access to new technology to save time and ensure better value for the taxpayer. www.homeoffice.gov.uk
A twice-yearly outdoor safety education initiative, which teaches children how to manage risk in order to stay safe, has been awarded LASER Accreditation by the LASER Alliance. Safety Zone, which takes place during the summer and autumn terms at the National Watersports Centre at Holme Pierrepont, aims to teach children how to keep themselves, their families and friends safe by making the right decisions when exposed to risk. The multi-agency event, which is coordinated by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, sees 2500 children aged 10 and 11 working alongside professionals in a range of interactive scenarios. www.notts-fire.gov.uk
The charity Carbon Monoxide Awareness has launched a national campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning from barbecues. The campaign, in memory of 14-year-old Wilmslow schoolgirl Hannah Thomas-Jones and others who lost their lives to carbon monoxide from barbecues or camping lamps, was launched in the House of Commons on 10 July. The campaign is a joint venture between Carbon Monoxide Awareness and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service. www.covictim.org
Badgemaster, the UK’s largest name badge manufacturer, celebrated its 20th anniversary in July 2012, and to mark the occasion is offering a 20 percent discount off list prices for all orders placed by 20 September 2012. To receive the anniversary discount off list prices for name badges, customers just need to quote 20YEARS on their order before 20 September 2012. www.badgemaster.co.uk
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Warwickshire says ‘on your bike’ to arsonists Firefighters are taking to two wheels in the latest chapter in the ever evolving work being undertaken by Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service in tackling arson and anti-social behaviour. Since 2007 the service have been working in partnership with Warwickshire Police in all aspects of arson and anti-social behaviour. In August the Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service BIKE (Bicycle Intervention Knowledge and Education) team started a new venture in partnership with the police to use mountain bikes as a tool to reach those areas that historically have become high areas of anti-social behaviour and arson, particularly involving small fires. Deputy Chief Fire Officer of Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service Gary Phillips said, “The remit of the BIKE team is to traverse the areas of
high activity that conventional appliances or off-road vehicles are unable to reach. “The BIKE team’s role has evolved from the successful anti-social behaviour teams who have been working in this field for many years, achieving a 45 perL to R) DCFO Gary Phillips, PCSO Rebecca Carless, Arson reduction cent reduction in (From officer Debbie Satchwell, Crew Commander Les Moore, Firefighter James deliberate small fires Russell, and Arson Reduction Manager Ian Tonner. over a three-year period using engagement only. This operates in the evenings, this enables approach is clearly working and that a joint approach to the problem.” is why this BIKE team needs to be a The team consists of 12 staff who fundamental part of any arson reduc- have undergone a health and safety tion tactics moving forward. bike course; shown a high level of fit“The times that the bike team ness and also have experience and operate will be varied, unlike that of skills in youth engagement. the anti-social behaviour team, which www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue
Award winning flood kits from Globehuggers Globehuggers Emergency Supplies has won the Climate Business Resilience Award at the Business in the Community Awards for Excellence 2012. The awards were sponsored by Sustainability West Midlands in partnership with the Environment Agency and supported by the West Midlands Climate adaption partnership. Debi and David Massey, both members of the Emergency Planning Society, collected the award from John Barraclough, an associate of Sustainability West Midlands, and Jon Baker from the Environment Agency, at the BITC 30th Anniversary Gala Dinner at Warwickshire County Cricket
Club. HRH Prince of Wales, patron of the organisation, recorded a special message for all of the winners. Globehuggers Emergency Supplies won the award for its work following the major flooding in the UK in 2007. The partners carefully researched and brought a new product to market that helps thousands of individuals to
adapt to the potential impacts of climate change and extreme weather. The company’s bespoke range of flood kits and emergency grab bags feature wind up technology and are used by Olympic venues, shopping centres, local government, PCTs, charities and blue chip organisations. Debi Massey, Sales and Marketing Director, Globehuggers Emergency Supplies, said, “We are thrilled to have our work recognised with such a prestigious award and would like to thank the organisations that made this possible and all of our clients over the last five years for their positive feedback and support!” www.globehuggers999.co.uk
Mutual aid partnership in Forth Valley launched A UK-first initiative to bring the emergency services, local authorities and voluntary sector agencies together in preparing for and responding to emergencies in the Forth Valley area has been launched. A Memorandum of Understanding between the groups was signed off by the chief officers from the Central Scotland Emergency Services and the three local authorities, which are members of the Central Scotland Strategic Coordinating Group, on 27 July 2012 at Central Scotland Police Headquarters in Stirling. It is generally recognised by those involved in emergency response and civil contingency planning that there are many elements of the voluntary sector that can and do play an important role in fulfilling and supporting
capability during times of crisis. In 2007, the Central Scotland Strategic Coordinating Group established a voluntary agencies group, which has developed into the Voluntary Sector Coordinating Group (VSCG). To ensure resilient coordination of this group a single point of contact process was adopted in 2010 and used very effectively during recent emergencies. Deploying VSCG resources through a single point allows the voluntary sector to enhance its offer to Central Scotland SCG since it employs the resources and specialist skills of all members of the VSCG. This provides a sustainable capacity and integrated capability to complement and augment the resources of the statutory agencies. To provide clarity to the ‘single
Emergency Services Times August 2012
point of contact’ process, this Memorandum of Understanding has been produced, which aligns the VSCG key purpose with that of the Central Scotland SCG. Derek Penman, Chief Constable for Central Scotland Police, said, “The valuable contribution made by the voluntary sector in times of emergencies affecting our communities has always been acknowledged. This initiative, however, enhances that commitment by ensuring our voluntary sector partners are fully integrated into all aspects of our SCG’s multi-agency planning, training, response and recovery process. “This may be the first such agreement anywhere in the UK but hopefully not the last.” www.centralscotland.police.uk
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Cliff fall tragedy on the Dorset coast Just after midday on 24 July 2012 on what was, perhaps, one of the warmest days of the year a steady stream of 999 emergency calls began to be answered at Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Portland, situated in Weymouth, Dorset. Initial information was sketchy, confused and sometimes contradictory, but what was very clear was that a large cliff collapse had occurred at Fresh Water on the Dorset Coast very close to a large holiday camp with at least one person seen to be caught by the fall. The beaches were busy and initial fears that many more people had been caught in the fall were very real. On land, sea and by air, emergency response was immediate. Coastguards, fire and rescue service, police, ambulance and RNLI assets were all simultaneously deployed on what was to become a major multi-agency incident lasting some 16 hours.
Multi-agency incident Aerial reconnaissance using the Coastguard rescue helicopter from Portland and the Dorset Police air support unit quickly established the location and scale of the cliff fall; some 400 tonnes of rock, clay and earth across a 70m stretch of coastline, which continued to show signs of being highly unstable with further minor falls and cracking to the cliff face to which, worryingly, members of the public both on the beach and along the cliff path seemed oblivious. A multi-faceted emergency response plan was quickly implemented with coastguards and police officers establishing an outer cordon on land to prevent further risk to the public and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service maintaining an inner one into which they deployed urban search and rescue (USAR) specialists, including a search dog team from Avon and Somerset (and later in the incident a relief team from Hampshire) to begin the search on scene. Police and coastguards began to follow up on multiple missing person reports. South West Ambulance Service assets, including a Hazardous Area Response team (HART), stood by to provide medical cover for emergency service colleagues as well as to treat potential casualties. Conditions at the cliff fall site were hazardous with the very real risk of further falls. As a consequence, both the search dog and listening devices were initially used to refine the search area, while both a maritime and air exclusion zone was established to facilitate their work.
Missing person enquiries by police and coastguards, along with the USAR work on scene, developed the incident intelligence picture to establish with a degree of confidence that only one person had been caught by the fall and the area of interest was significantly refined to allow some limited digging, initially by a mechanical grabber and then by hand. HART deployed Just before 10pm the HART deployed into the inner cordon as the casualty was located. Sadly, despite the best efforts of the rescue teams the casualty was deceased and the operation moved from one of search and rescue to one of recovery. This phase was to take a further five hours of painstaking work by the USAR team until finally the casualty was extracted and transferred by
RNLI lifeboat into the care of the coroner. In total, the initial incident lasted some 16 hours, involved all of the emergency services operating in a difficult environment in the most challenging of circumstances while under the glare of the media spotlight. The outcome did not reflect the teamwork, the commitment or the sheer determination of those involved, but it did highlight all that is good in the professionalism of our emergency services working cooperatively towards a common goal. www.dft.gov.uk/mca/
All photos courtesy of Grahame Forshaw, Harbourmaster Lyme Regis Author: Mark Rodaway, Manager, Portland Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre
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Strategic Resilience Board to facilitate partnership approach Publication in July 2012 of the new Fire and Rescue National Framework sets a more collaborative relationship between Government and fire and rescue authorities to deliver public safety. At the heart of this relationship is a new Strategic Resilience Board, established to ensure that the sum of local service delivery adds up to a national capability to respond to major incidents. Fire Minister Bob Neill attended the inaugural meeting of the Board in May and welcomed members. He said, “The new Strategic Resilience Board is a vital link in enabling the Government, fire and rescue authorities and fire and rescue professionals to work in partnership to ensure that they can respond efficiently and effectively to help protect the public when a major incident, whether natural or man-made, occurs. “While the Government retains strategic responsibility for national resilience, it relies on the leadership of fire and rescue authorities and recognises that national resilience is best built on the basis of local professional expertise and understanding of risk.” Membership and terms of reference Membership of the Board is drawn from fire and rescue authorities, fire and rescue professionals and Government departments. It is chaired by Neil O’Connor, who heads the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Fire, Resilience and Emergencies Directorate. Joint vicechairmen are provided by the Local Government Association and the Chief Fire Officers’ Association. To ensure consistency and continuity across the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are also members.
“In all its work the Board will have regard to interoperability with all ‘blue light’ services.”
risks. The working group will report its findings to the Board in the autumn. It has also commissioned a project to determine communication channels between national and local levels. In short it wants to ensure that local knowledge and expertise are captured, so that decisions about capability are robust and deliverable. This working group will also report in the autumn.
Fire Minister Bob Neill.
ensures that fire and rescue service New Dimension capabilities, including high volume pumps, mass decontamination equipment and urban search and rescue teams, remain fit for purpose. The agreed terms of reference include providing: a forum for fire and rescue authorities and for fire professionals to collectively engage with Government in order to support discussions and decision-making in relation to national resilience; a strategic oversight of fire and rescue national resilience; and advice to Ministers on capability gaps and changes in requirements, such as increases, reductions and re-configuration. In all its work the Board will have regard to interoperability with all ‘blue light’ services. Members of the Board will also share and disseminate key information with the organisations and sectors that they represent. Tasks The Board has commissioned a working group to assess overall fire and rescue service national resilience capability against nationally identified
The Board complements existing resilience structures, including the Chief Fire Officers’ Association’s National Resilience Board, which
History of the Board During 2011 the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Chief Fire Officers’ Association worked together to develop new strategic governance arrangements for fire and rescue national resilience. In December, they wrote jointly to partners about the proposed arrangements, asking for their views by March 2012. This period ran concurrently with public consultation on the draft revised National Framework. The vast majority of responses were positive, strongly supporting the proposal to establish a new Fire and Rescue Strategic Resilience Board. The new National Framework for the Fire and Rescue Service in England clarifies national and local roles and responsibilities and recognises the need for fire authorities to work in partnership with central Government to ensure that effective arrangements are in place to assess and meet significant risks. The Framework sets the expectation that fire and rescue authorities will work collectively, through the Fire and Rescue Strategic Resilience Board, to agree with the Department whether and/or how to address any capability gaps identified through gap analysis. At its first meeting, Bob Neill commented on the good start that had been made with the important work of the new Board and said he looked forward to receiving its advice and recommendations. www.communities.gov.uk
Financial success For North Fire West Yorkshire based fire equipment specialist distributor, North Fire, has announced an increase in turnover of almost 200 percent for the 2010/2011 financial year. In an extended period of economic uncertainty North Fire continues to show encouraging financial growth. Recent deals with several fire and rescue services have helped significantly move the business forward. In the financial year 2010/2011 the company’s end of year results reported a turnover just short of £600k. This has significantly risen to almost £1.5m in just six months (until the end of March 2012).
Perfect start Managing Director Oliver North said, “We couldn’t be more pleased that to have trebled our turnover within just six short months. This is the perfect start to the new financial year and we hope to continually grow and have a fantastic 2011/2012.” North Fire PLC was set up in 2008 with the specific task of promoting and supporting aerial appliances and fire fighting equipment manufactured and supplied by Rosenbauer International AG, among municipal, industrial and airport fire and rescue services. www.north-fire.com
Oliver North, Managing Director, North Fire PLC.
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Training Academy starts work on Fire Behaviour School The Training Academy at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) has recently commenced construction work on a new development at the Fire Behaviour School, based at Exeter International Airport. A formal ground breaking ceremony, attended by distinguished guests, was held on 3 August to celebrate commencement of the unique project. The Fire Behaviour School is a leading BTEC-accredited live fire training provider in the UK, training in excess of 2000 operational staff within the service and instructors from 43 UK and international fire authorities. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service awarded the £3.35m construction contract for the new facility to Interserve. The building, due for completion in spring 2013, will be used by the Training Academy to train its firefighters and other fire and rescue services. It will provide facilities for fire behaviour training and hot fire and foam training. The facility will also include mock-up houses and an aeroplane to practice specialised fire fighting techniques. Chief Fire Officer Lee Howell, of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said, “The new facilities will improve airport and local authority firefighter training and the safety of the public. Professional training is a priority for the service and this centre will provide us and the airport with an enhanced capability.” The Fire Behaviour School offers courses such as: • Compartment Fire Behaviour Training (CFBT): a two-week BTEC-accredited Level 3 course, which allows delegates to obtain the skills, knowledge and understanding to competently deliver CFBT training within their own service • Compartment Fire Behaviour Training Refresher (CFBT): this one-week BTEC Level 3 course allows delegates who have previously obtained a two-week CFBT qualification to refresh their skills and re-qualify • Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV): this oneweek BTEC Level 3 course allows students to obtain the skills, knowledge and understanding to competently deliver PPV and tactical ventilation training within their own service • Industrial fire training: bespoke fire team training tailored to specific industry requirements • Bespoke courses: tailored courses are available to industry clients. Recently the Fire Behaviour School has trained the South West Ambulance Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and Hinkley Point Power Station.
The Academy’s Breathing Apparatus instructors are highly regarded on a national level.
A formal ground breaking ceremony, attended by distinguished guests was held on 3 August to celebrate commencement of the unique project.
In 2011 the service embarked on a successful relationship with Hinkley Point Nuclear Power Station. Their needs were specific and as a result a bespoke training package was tailored to suit them. Subsequently, a course was created for the Hinkley Point Team Leaders and the Standby Emergency Response Teams (SERT). Watch Manager Steve Hunt said, “Throughout all of this training the feedback we received from the students was very positive.” Chris Dixon from Hinkley Point said, “The course was excellent with life-like facilities and good instruction.” The Training Academy has continued to devise and deliver bespoke courses for Hinkley Point throughout 2012. Chief Fire Officer Lee Howell said, “Our Breathing Apparatus instructors are highly-regarded on a national level and we will continue to train firefighters and commercial clients from all over the country and Europe through our Training Academy. We have a national and international reputation and our courses are accredited and quality assured.” New investment The Fire Behaviour School already has a base at the airport, which was established in 1997. Due to the practical nature of the training, the space needed and the generation of smoke on a daily basis the airport site was chosen and is approximately two acres in size. Tam Alford, Group Manager at the Training Academy, said, “The site has been developed over the past 12 years
with the addition of classrooms, shower, changing facilities and a compressor, with funds generated from running external instructor courses. The new investment will represent a major enhancement of those facilities.”
“We see this as a milestone initiative within the UK fire and rescue services.” The site will also accommodate an emergency command unit, welfare facilities, lecture theatres and general administration. Matt Roach, Managing Director of Exeter Airport, welcoming the development, said, “The joint fire training ground is a unique development and is hugely positive in terms of the training resource that can be provided for both the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and the Airport Fire Team.” Matt continued, “We have a very good relationship with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, and see this as a milestone initiative within the UK fire and rescue services, which will take the training facilities at the airport to a new level.” www.dsfire.gov.uk/trainingacademy www.facebook.com/TrainingAcademyDSFRS
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The National Crime Agency – joined-up public protection Law enforcement has always operated in a shifting landscape but the scale of the changes underway now exceeds anything I’ve experienced before. A key part of this changing landscape is the creation of the National Crime Agency. As its Director General and a former Chief Constable, I support local accountability and dealing locally with the majority of crime. But when crime doesn’t conform to geographical or organisational boundaries it demands a national response. We don’t need a national police force in the UK and the NCA won’t be any such thing. We do need better coordination and a national response greater than the sum of its parts. Crime that crosses geographical and organisational boundaries and seeks out gaps in law enforcement’s capabilities has become an issue of national security. Broad remit The NCA will have a broad new remit – leading the UK’s fight against serious, organised and complex crime, providing a new focus on economic crime, strengthening policing at the border, protecting children, and helping to ensure local police forces are linked-up to work nationally and overseas. At the heart of creating the agency is a simple principle long recognised by law enforcement, emergency services, and first
responders – that with clear leadership we achieve substantially more together. I choose my words carefully. We all recognise the value of joined-up working yet successful multiagency partnership has remained reliant largely on whether good relationships are in place. This coalition of the willing is a credit to the people involved when it works but can unravel when individuals change. We know too how challenging it is for any one agency to assume an overview role. A case I’ve discussed recently involves agencies in 15 separate police force areas. Specialist support To lift our national response to another level, the NCA will be a visible body of operational crime fighters, targeting action against the most harmful criminals and providing specialist support for its partners’ operations. It will develop a single national intelligence picture around organised crime in which its partners can have confidence. And it will take a leadership role, creating clear national focus so the many elements that contribute to our national capacity can operate more effectively together. The Bill to create the NCA allows the Director General to task police forces. I am very clear that in practice this is about exceptional circumstances,
where a response can’t reasonably be delivered by other means. Having it there though gives bite and impetus to achieving cooperation on a voluntary basis. Crucially this is part of a two-way process by which forces will draw on NCA support. And I want to complement this greater connectivity by making it easier to exchange skills into and out of the NCA, through attachments, secondments and NCA ‘Specials’. The landscape may be shifting, but I believe there is a simple rule we can apply in testing each decision we take – does this deliver the best possible public protection? That after all is what every single one of us gets up in the morning and comes to work to do. www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/nca
A series of fact sheets, including on tasking and coordination, is available at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/ legislation/crime-courts-part1/. Subject to the passage of the Crime and Courts Bill the ambition is for the NCA to be fully operational by December 2013.
Author: Keith Bristow QPM, Director General, National Crime Agency
In focus: CamSAR’s support capabilities Cambridgeshire Search and Rescue ( CamSAR) provides support to Cambridgeshire Constabulary, the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) and Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Services. The organisation also provides civil contingency support services to the emergency planning departments of various local authorities in Cambridgeshire. CamSAR launched a two-year campaign in January 2011 to raise £20,000 to purchase a new Incident Command Unit (ICU). By July 2011 the organisation was able to close the campaign having raised enough funds through various fundraisers, including the Cambridge Beer Festival, and with the help of local community donations. The vehicle was sourced from Hertfordshire Constabulary and in October 2011 the ICU had its debut outing with a bucket collection in Peterborough, where members of the public were invited to take a look round.
Flood rescue To support the fire and rescue service and police, CamSAR team members are being trained in bank rescue to become qualified DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) level 2 Flood Rescue Technicians. These skills will enable the team to help in the event of flooding and to search waterways during the search for missing people.
CamSAR’s new ICU.
www.camsar.org
Community First Inside the new ICU. responders As part of the team’s ongoing support of EEAST, CamSAR President, Hayden Newton, arranged for the team to train and qualify as Community First Responders. Hayden said, “I am proud to be CamSAR President and I know this team will go from strength to strength to help us and others in their time of need. They are a valuable resource within the community of Cambridgeshire.” Steve Catley, Community Partnership Manager, said, “The volunteers have undertaken the trust’s CFR training programme and were an absolute pleasure to teach. They were extremely keen to learn and very enthusiastic throughout their course.” CamSAR members are trained Flood Rescue Technicians.
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The Emergency Services Show 2012 offers more than just 400 exhibitors From 21-22 November, the UK’s emergency services, partnering agencies, voluntary groups and Government departments will once again descend on Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire for The Emergency Services Show. As you would expect, all the latest equipment and services used by these leading professionals will be on display from some 400 exhibitors from both the UK and overseas. The show also features a number of attractions for this year’s visitors, including a CBRN Decontamination Workshop, a recovery demonstration from the Road Haulage Association and the inaugural National Interoperability Summit 2012. Register to attend the show for free at www.emergencyuk.com
CBRN Decontamination Workshop The Emergency Planning Society CBRN Professional Working Group, in association with the Government Decontamination Service, is hosting a CBRN Decontamination Workshop alongside The Emergency Services Show, on Wednesday 21 November from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Uncertainty remains The EPS CBRN Professional Working Group (PWG) working with the GDS has identified that there are concerns, particularly among local authority (LA) staff, about the challenges posed by decontamination after a CBRN incident. Although there have been several incidents, of varying types, in the UK in the past few years, together with an increase in the capabilities on offer from various
sources, there remains uncertainty in some quarters as to how to deal with such incidents. The aims of the workshop are to assist local authority staff in particular to improve their knowledge and hence ability to deal with decontamination incidents and to identify further activities that the EPS might undertake to support the development of the national decontamination capacity.
The workshop programme is being finalised and will include speakers from the Cabinet Office, Home Office, Health Protection Agency and Government Decontamination Service, covering topics such as: consideration of available documentation and guidance; the challenges that faced the Olympic Park; lessons identified from an LA perspective. Case studies on Anthrax and Litvinenko from the GDS are also planned.
Local authority While the workshop is aimed primarily at local authority staff it will also be of interest to others working in this area. Industry participation is encouraged to help them better understand the challenges faced by their potential clients.
Sponsored by Scott Safety The cost of attending this one-day workshop, which is being sponsored by Scott Safety and the Health Protection Agency, is £35 for the public sector and EPS members and £45 for others. www.the-eps.org/events
Recovery demo to showcase joint working RHA Recovery has been given the opportunity of laying on a recovery demonstration at The Emergency Services Show 2012, which takes place from 21-22 November at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. The demo intends to involve all the emergency services to highlight each service’s role in a road traffic collision (RTC). Not only will this showcase each of the service’s particular skills and specialties but it will also show how they all work together to rescue any individuals who are unfortunate enough to have been involved. The scenario It is intended that the scenario will involve a HGV articulated vehicle/petrol tanker, placed on its side, which has been in a collision with a car. The vehicles will both have occupants, who will receive first aid/medical assistance (from ambulance crews) to stabilise them so that they can be extricated from the vehicle(s) (by the fire and rescue service). While this is happening the police will be controlling traffic and also access to the crash site, acting as liaison for the recovery crews and any other organisations that are required to assist (Environment Agency, Highways Agency etc). Once the occupants are clear of the scene the recovery crews will be able to begin their task. In addition, the fire and rescue service will be using
spark suppressing chemicals and/or assisting with bunding any escaping fuel or oils and the police will be checking the route the recovery vehicle will be taking after the vehicles have been recovered. The first job will be to separate the two vehicles, with the car being removed from the scene first so that more room is available for the heavier recovery to commence. Heavy recovery vehicles Because of the weight and size of the HGV vehicle it will require two heavy recovery vehicles. The vehicles will work under the command of the Recovery Incident Manager, who will coordinate the crews, cranes and winches. There are two parts to the righting of a vehicle: bring it to the point of balance is part one; and then part two involves lowering the vehicle under control to the ground to rest on its wheels, as it would normally. The recovery vehicles will take the strain and begin to winch the vehicle back onto its wheels; it is essential that the recovery vehicles are winching at the same speed so that one does not take more strain or move the stricken vehicle faster than the other recovery vehicle as this can overstress equipment and/or cause the stricken vehicle to spin on its side. At the point of balance the weight of the
stricken vehicle will be taken by the cranes on the recovery vehicles, this must happen simultaneously, they will then lower the vehicle to the ground under control. All visitors to the show will have the chance to witness the recovery demonstration – full details and timings will be available nearer the event. To register for your free visitor badge please visit www.emergencyuk.com and sign-up online. www.rha.uk.net
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National Interoperability Summit 2012 Running alongside The Emergency Services Show 2012 at Stoneleigh Park, the Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA), along with the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), is delighted to coordinate the first ever National Interoperability Summit. Against a backdrop of a number of national incidents and inquest recommendations and with recent focus being the safety of the UK during the 2012 Olympic Games, the past year has seen a welcome increase in focus from Government on the critically important topic of interoperability. With a determined approach from all emergency responders to address this, the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JESIP) has been established, supported by the Home Office, Department for Communities and Local Government, Department of Health and the Cabinet Office. Through a structured work programme, it is intended to support the work of emergency service partners and to address the challenges of working together effectively at complex incidents.
What does the future hold? The National Interoperability Summit aims to bring together leaders and strategic managers from UK Category 1 and Category 2 responders to deliver a high profile national summit focused on the current position and what the future holds for emergency service interoperability at incidents in the UK. The summit will cover: Government aims and priorities with input from the Home Office and the Civil Contingencies Secretariat; an overview of the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JESIP) to explain its structure and work programme; views from ACPO, CFOA and AACE on behalf of police, fire and ambulance services respectively; an Olympics debrief providing a view of how the UK managed the world’s largest sporting event; and an external challenge from the worlds of law, academia and the military. We aim to provide thought-provoking and stimulating presentations to communicate current thinking, status and forward plans on interoperability; to reflect on the outcomes of the largest national security challenge the UK has seen for many years and to encourage cross sector debate for the first time. What will we learn from 2012? How will that shape the future for all the UK emergency
responders? And how can we build on the progress made in the past 18 months? If you are a Chief or principal manager working in emergency response, make sure you attend this key event to find out the answers to these questions and more. The event will run from midday on Wednesday 21 November to midday Thursday 22 November. A draft programme is being finalised with further details, booking information and speaker confirmations available on the CFOA website in the coming weeks.
Conference Session One will take place from approximately 12.00-16.30hrs on 21 November followed by a dinner with After Dinner Speaker and overnight accommodation. Conference Session Two will continue on Thursday 22 November from 09.00-13.00hrs. Lunch will be included on both days. www.cfoa.org.uk/13391
Author: CFO Roy Wilsher, CFOA Operations Director.
Show success for CFM Services Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service is the latest UK fire and rescue service to choose the Bright Star Lighthawk LED from CFM Services after seeing the light on display at last year’s Emergency Services Show. Bill Taylor, Technical and Equipment Officer at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said, “We searched the market for a reliable, high performing light, which incorporated LED and Lithium-ion technology. The Lighthawk was tested against several other competitive models. After extensive trials we chose the Bright Star Lighthawk LED from CFM Services due to its excellent performance, durability, piercing beam and competitive price. The Lighthawk is now our
standard light for all our main line appliances.” The Lighthawk is an excellent light for cutting through smoke and fog and has the benefit of being
totally waterproof. It is so lightweight that it actually floats! Apart from its technical performance two of the Lighthawk’s main features are its exceptional durability and reliability. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service joins many other UK users, which include fire, ambulance and police services, plus the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the RNLI and many other rescue organisations. Needless to say, CFM Services will be exhibiting at The Emergency Services Show 2012 on Stand 23. www.cfmservices.co.uk
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Counting down to AMBITION 2012 AMBITION 2012, the ambulance service’s primary annual networking event, takes place on 20 September at Silverstone, the home of the British Grand Prix. The event has two main aims: promoting excellence in pre-hospital care and bringing ambulance services and their suppliers closer. This year’s event is all about opportunities. That means opportunities to meet new contacts in the ambulance service, to see and hear about new clinical and operational developments and to buy and sell new products. There are also some high profile national ambulance meetings being held at the show, attracting delegates including: Chief Executives, Chairs and Heads of Procurement of NHS ambulance trusts; the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) Clinical Sub-group; and the HART Vehicle & Equipment Group. Register for the conference Ambulance personnel from all NHS ambulance trusts are being invited to the first ever National Ambulance Resilience Conference, which is being staged by the National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU) at AMBITION 2012. Delegate places on the conference are just £45 + VAT for the public sector and £90 + VAT for the private sector (includes refreshments and full delegate lunch) – full details can be found at www.ambition2012.org. There will also be a ‘Procurement Surgery’ on-site to take enquiries particularly from Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) personnel but also from others interested in this area, including suppliers. Who will AMBITION 2012 be of interest to? The conference and exhibition is a one-day event and will be of interest to: most ambulance staff, especially paramedics, EMTs, HART teams, operaions managers and directors, resilience leads, emergency preparedness leads, education and training personnel and those with a professional interest in interoperability issues; those working in
other pre-hospital situations, A&E or military hospital environments; those operating alongside the ambulance service in partner agencies, such as fire and police; plus anyone working in the wider emergency planning or civil contingencies fields. If you don’t want to attend the conference you can still come along to the exhibition completely free of charge, as long as you register first.
The EPS Awards Dinner The Emergency Planning Society (EPS) Awards Dinner will take place on 19 September at Whittlebury Hall Hotel and will begin with a champagne reception at 7.30pm. Dinner to be served at 8.00pm and the dress code is Black Tie. The cost to attend the dinner is £59.00 + VAT and is open to all EPS members and AMBITION 2012 delegates, visitors and exhibitors. Thanks to our sponsor I would like to make a special mention of thanks to AMBITION 2012’s main sponsor Excelerate Technology Ltd. This is the third year that Excelerate has backed the show and we are extremely grateful for the company’s support. Contact us Any delegate booking, EPS Awards Dinner or accommodation enquiries should go to Laura Thomas at Autograph Events via e-mail: LauraT@autograph-events.co.uk or Tel: 01905 732966 or 01905 732730. www.ambition2012.org
Author: Carl Rees, Event Director, AMBITION 2012
Top speakers lined up for National Air Ambulance Conference A premier event in the national air ambulance calendar will be taking place in Telford from 19-20 November when the Association of Air Ambulances (AAA) hosts its annual conference. The conference will offer delegates the opportunity to meet and share ideas on all aspects of air ambulance operations, clinical matters and charity fundraising. Some of the leading names from the world of healthcare, fundraising and air operations will be speaking at this year’s conference, including: the Health Minister, Simon Burns; Anthony Marsh, CEO, West Midlands Ambulance Service and Chair of the AAA; and Mark Doherty, Chair of the
National Ambulance Commissioning Group. Plenary session speakers will include: Paul Savage from the RNLI; Sir Keith Porter, Professor of Clinical Traumatology at University Hospital Birmingham; Jonathan Benger, Professor of Emergency Care University of West of England and AE Consultant Bristol Royal Infirmary; Dr Phil Cowburn, Consultant in Emergency Medicine Bristol Royal Infirmary; Debra Alcock-Tyler from the Civil Society; and Tim Beech, Managing Editor of BBC Radio Shropshire. The programme also includes a gala dinner. www.associationofairambulances.co.uk/conference
Forthcoming Events Lyon Technical Symposium 2012 Cumbria www.lyon.co.uk/workandrescue
18-19 September
AMBITION 2012 Silverstone www.ambition2012.org
20 September
Rescue 2012 – Iceland Grand Hotel, Reykjavík www.icesar.com/rescue
19-21 October
Ambulance Service Institute Awards 2012 House of Lords www.asi-international.com
13 November
National Air Ambulance 19-20 November Conference Telford www.associationofairambulances.co.uk/conference 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
National Interoperability Summit Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire www.cfoa.org.uk/11907
21-22 November
Lone Worker Safety 2012 Conference & Exhibition Olympia Conference Centre www.loneworkersafetyexpo.com
27 November
RESCUE 2012 – Iceland The RESCUE 2012 conference, organised by The Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue (ICESAR), takes place at Grand Hotel Reykjavík from 19 -21 October 2012. RESCUE 2012 offers experts, and others within the search and rescue field, an excellent opportunity to share ideas, learn from each other and establish new contacts. This international SAR conference features 50-60 lectures held simultaneously in four different halls so everyone should find something of interest. There are 95 volunteer rescue teams in Iceland doing every kind of rescue work. These teams have built up vast experience that they would like to share with the global rescue community. This is also an opportunity for them to learn from colleagues in response units around the world. www.icesar.com/rescue
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Emergency Services Times August 2012
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FIVE BRANDS UNDER ONE ROOF
At Volkswagen Group we are able to offer vehicles which produce as little as 89g/km of CO2. At the same time our diverse range spread over five brands means we can also offer vehicles producing up to 560PS with 0 to 62mph acceleration achieved in just 3.6 seconds. With body styles ranging from compact 3 door to spacious 5 door estates, SUVs, MPVs and Commercial Vehicle based passenger vehicles we are confident that we have a solution available to suit your needs. The versatility of our products doesn’t end there – we offer a number of 4x4 drivetrains across our brands from intermediate performance vehicles to high performance off road vehicles, we even offer Commercial Vehicles with four wheel drive. Further more, our ‘one stop shop’ bluelight conversions are carried out by one of our two fully approved convertors. Our approved convertors have been carefully selected for their experience and for being able to provide our bluelight solutions with the utmost quality that you would expect form a Volkswagen Group vehicle. It is for this reason that our approved conversions adopt the base vehicle warranty period providing you with extra piece of mind.
VOLKSWAGEN Group United Kingdom Limited Yeomans Drive, Blakelands, Milton Keynes, MK14 5AN
Tel: 01908 548043 www.audi.co.uk www.seat.co.uk www.skoda.co.uk www.volkswagen.co.uk www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk
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Collaboration focus at Five brands Blue Light Fleet Exhibition under one
roof
In these challenging times for the public sector, every avenue must be explored to ensure that we do not miss an opportunity for the best use of resources, achieving best value and saving money. Collaboration between the various sections of the public sector has to be an essential part of this rationale. The National Association of Police Fleet Managers (NAPFM) and the National Strategic Ambulance Fleet Group (NSAFG) are once again collaborating at the blue light fleet exhibition, which takes place from 25-26 September 2012 at Peterborough Arena. There is so much synergy within the public sector fleet groups that spreads beyond the emergency services to all the fleets operated by central government and local authorities. The NAPFM and NSAFG have opened the doors to colleagues from all of the public sector to join them either as a conference delegate or as a visitor to the large exhibition.
The 39th NAPFM Conference will be covering a wide range of subjects, including: the Association of Chief Police Officers Intelligent Transport System (ACPO ITS) regarding the results of the Driver and Vehicle Management Data System trial, which has been taking place in 10 police services and one ambulance service for almost a year; the Vehicle Certification Agency, which will be explaining the new rules as they apply to vehicle conversions; and environmental issues will be covered by presentations on hydrogen fuel and ‘Low emissions – which way forward’. As a number of polices forces opt to outsource many of their operations to the private sector, delegates will be interested to hear an independent keynote presentation on ‘Outsourcing versus Public Sector Collaboration’. Other subjects include satellite navigation distraction and vehicle end of life contracts. Overseas interest The conference has already attracted delegates from police, ambulance, MOD and government departments as well as overseas police forces. The conference is an excellent opportunity for the wider public sector to work together to save money and improve efficiency as well as collaborating on pangovernment procurement contracts. The large exhibition running alongside the conference will provide many of the solutions for the needs of the public sector. Currently 130 exhibitors are registered; on display will be approximately 200 vehicles, warning equipment, workshop equipment, safety equipment and much more; new for the 2012 show is the ‘Low Emissions Zone’. The 39th National Association of Police Fleet Managers Conference and Blue Light Fleet Exhibition takes place at the Peterborough Arena from 25-26 September 2012. Visit the event website for further information. www.napfmevent.org.uk
Author: Mike Cripps, Event Manager, NAPFM
Emergency services fleet managers have an increasing challenge to sustain operational vehicle fleet efficiency and deliver this quality of service from leaner resources, both in terms of the number of vehicles available and reduced budgets. Therefore, the importance of dependability, combined with cost effectiveness, is paramount to supporting the reliability of service and delivery to ensure maximum operational capability at all times. Volkswagen Group has been working with authorities for a number of years to support these goals. Since the Group’s inclusion on the National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA) agreement in 2010 it instigated a dedicated centralised vehicle supply and after sales support team. The team manages five Group Brands and vehicle converter arrangements while fully understanding the products and specifications as detailed in the NPIA framework. Competitive whole life costs The company believes the diversity of its products offers flexibility to fleet managers in meeting their operational needs without adding unnecessary complexity, as the high level of technical and component commonality ensures cost effective maintenance and what is most important of all – extremely competitive whole life costs. Additionally, the Volkswagen Group’s partnership arrangement with vehicle converters to deliver a ‘one-stop-shop’ solution aims to remove further unnecessary complexity. The dedicated ordering team aims to deliver exceptional customer service at all stages of the order cycle from initial order through to delivery, keeping customers informed of progress at all stages. Flexibility for fleet managers To ensure your operational efficiency and decrease vehicle downtime the Volkswagen Group also recognises the importance of after sales support; included within the team is a dedicated Emergency Services Technical Manager who exclusively supports the internal vehicle ordering executives in making sure customers’ vehicle specifications are correct and works with authorities to understand the operational requirements are correctly interpreted and matched against their vehicle needs. Technical support is also provided on training, tooling and equipment needs and in supporting specific vehicle issues in pursuit of keeping your fleet operational. www.volkswagengroup.co.uk
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National Blue Light Users Conference raises outsourcing fears The National Blue Light Users Conference, which took place at the end of August and is in its 15th year, is designed to bring together all those who are involved in the management and training of those who drive emergency vehicles, whether that is under blue light conditions or purely in order to carry out their routine duties. Emphasis is now focused on delivering driver training that not only delivers safe drivers but also ensures that they drive in a manner that will reduce costs in terms of fuel efficiency and maintenance. Today’s driver training is certainly not just about the mechanical skills required but also about the psychology of driving and the development of having the right approach when behind the wheel under stressful conditions.
“AIRSO has long been promoting the idea of a standard approach to emergency service driving.” The driver of an emergency vehicle not only has to be able to make the right decisions at the right time and be in full control of himself and other colleagues who might be travelling with them but they must also have consideration for other road users, around whom they frequently have to manoeuvre in order to reach their destination in all possible haste but with safety as the paramount factor. The skill of the emergency service driver has done a great deal to aid the preservation of life over recent years. We have seen survival rates increase among members of the public who are reliant at the time of the arrival of the police, fire and rescue or ambulance services, not forgetting the coastguard, human tissue for transplant, mountain rescue, mines rescue and bomb disposal agencies and the voluntary sectors of St John Ambulance and
Red Cross. A great deal of this credit has to go to the driver trainer and the comprehensive way in which the trainers have sought to develop drivers in a holistic manner. Area of real concern Against this background, however, comes the growing threat of outsourcing driver training, which is causing considerable anxiety among the training staff who have sought to deliver and develop quality driver training over the years. Where outsourcing has occurred, and is proposed to take place in the future, the current training staff may well go with the new organisations but the longer term effects of a new generation of trainers is of real concern, along with any service level agreements that are based solely on mechanical skills training. It is clear that the implications of outsourcing such a specialist area of work has not been properly thought through and has the added danger of agreements being set up by people who do not fully understand what is required to deliver a safe and competent driver. Regretfully we are not going to stop the rollercoaster of outsourcing as many see it as being a cheaper alternative to in-house training. In some cases, where routine administrative functions are required, that may be right and appropriate, but when outsourcing could have a detrimental effect on knowledge and safety, then that is another matter. Who trains the trainers? There is now a real question of who trains the trainers in such specialist work. The growing tendency will be for companies to take on those who have driven emergency vehicles. However, just because someone was once trained to drive under these conditions it does not mean that they are automatically capable of training someone else to do
Vehicle livery specialist offers the complete package As a market leading supplier to the UK’s emergency services, RVG makes sure it offers the best service to its customers and provides them with the complete package, from design and creation of livery through to manufacture, application and ongoing service replacements through the life of every vehicle. Owing to the experience, size and capabilities of RVG, it can give advice that is backed up with a wealth of practical knowledge and technical background to support it. The company is dedicated to providing high quality products with a responsive service and its team of experienced fitters can provide a full livery application service nationwide.
Roger Habgood, Managing Director of RVG, said, “We pride ourselves on our position within the market as an industry leader and innovator and we are committed to this position by working with our customers to meet their requirements. Our dedicated and experienced team ensures that we continually develop our offering so that we only offer the best quality products and the best service. “We value quality, innovation and customer focus, which means we are at the forefront of the emergency services and commercial graphics industry.” RVG, is enhancing its website soon as part of the company’s continued dedication to the industry.
so. There are good trainers who are lousy drivers and equally there are good drivers who will never make a first class trainer. AIRSO has been emphasising for a long time that driver training is not just about mechanical skills, which is something the National Blue Light Users Conference has sought to emphasise over its 15 years. There are still concerns, however, that private training organisations still see it in that way and I regret so do some people in the higher echelons of management. Driver competencies There are some drivers who, even after repeated training, still don’t get it right and it has nothing to do with their actual driving ability and everything to do with their mindset and a lack of understanding of the social pressures that are associated with the driving task. Turning out drivers who do not understand about the effects and legal connotations of alcohol, drugs, fatigue, stress and the way in which illness affects their driving is failing to follow a holistic approach in terms of driver competencies. Drivers also need to understand regulations about driver hours and how that might impact upon their working and private commitments, particularly when driving larger vehicles. There are real worries about whether the training provided by the private sector will cover these issues, see them as important or have the abilities within their training teams in the future to do so. The National Blue Light Users Conference 2012 took place from 28-30 August and came at a time when perhaps finally we are about to see the consultation document into emergency driving, which will bring about regulations to ensure that all those who wish to use the exemptions, particularly where this involves exceeding the posted speed limit will have to undergo training and be authorised to do so. While most of our statutory services have driver training units, many within the private and voluntary sector do not and this will bring them into scope for the first time. AIRSO, which is responsible for the National Blue Light Users Conference, has long been promoting the idea of a standard approach to emergency service driving. While this will not necessarily deal with all the aspects of a coordinated cross-service approach it will be a positive step in the right direction and will give confidence to the public that those driving at least under emergency conditions and taking advantage of the exemptions will have been trained to do so. www.airso.org.uk
www.rvgonline.co.uk
Emergency Services Times August 2012
Author: Graham Feest, Secretary, AIRSO (Association of Industrial Road Safety Officers)
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Unmistakably a sporting estate Perfectly designed to carry more and shaped to achieve aerodynamic excellence, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake's sublime coupé styling displays all the flair and dynamism of the XF with the versatility of an estate car. When space matters, XF Sportbrake embraces it. At almost two metres in length, and over a metre in width at its narrowest point, it features a one-piece tailgate, which provides complete accessibility to a deceptively generous load-space, with 1675-litres volume capacity plus discreet under floor stowage. With its versatile seat configuration system the rear seats fold fully flat or can be divided with a 60:40 split, using a thoughtfully placed remote release.
The car utilises a range of cutting-edge technologies to assist, improve and enhance the driving experience. Secure load transport XF Sportbrake ensures secure load transport however awkward the cargo. The loadspace track system with optional Integral Tie Downs enables fitment of a range of accessories designed to increase versatility. There are even recesses in the side trim, hidden behind mesh fronts that provide additional space and will enable even the most awkward loads to be stowed securely across the width of the boot. The XF Sportbrake takes whatever you need, wherever you need to go. Inside, comfort and quality reign supreme with form-hugging supple leather, classic real wood veneers and contemporary aluminium details. From cabin to loadspace, the same luxuriousness is preserved throughout, from the indulgent floor carpet and side trims to the gleaming polished stainless steel finishers.
XF Sportbrake: Engine Variant
2.2D 163PS
2.2D 200PS
3.0 V6 Diesel 3.0
V6 Diesel S
Layout
Inline 4 cylinder
Inline 4 cylinder
V6 cylinder
V6 cylinder
Capacity
2179cc
2179cc
2993cc
2993cc
Power
163PS
200PS
240PS
275PS
Torque
400Nm
450Nm
500Nm
600Nm
Fuel economy
5.1 l/100km (55.4mpg)
5.1 l/100km (55.4mpg)
6.2 l/100km (46mpg)
6.2 l/100km (46mpg)
CO2 emissions
135g/km (17in wheel)
135g/km (17in wheel)
163g/km
163g/km
139g/km (18-20in wheels)
139g/km (18-20in wheels)
Performance (0-60 mph) 10.0 secs
8.2 secs
6.7 secs
6.1 secs
Performance (0-100 kph) 10.9 secs
8.8 secs
7.1 secs
6.6 secs
Despite its focus on versatility, in Diesel S form, the XF Sportbrake can accelerate to 60mph from rest in just 6.1 seconds. The 240PS variant can achieve the same feat in 6.7 seconds.
View the XF Sportbrake on the Jaguar Land Rover stand (141) at the National Association of Police Fleet Managers Show. www.jaguarlandrover.com
Cutting-edge technologies The car utilises a range of cutting-edge technologies to assist, improve and enhance the driving experience. JaguarDrive Control™ recalibrates the engine and transmission depending on driving preferences or road conditions. Self-levelling rear air suspension keeps the ride smooth whatever the load and its Adaptive Dynamics system adjusts suspension settings 500 times every second to keep XF Sportbrake as flat, stable and secure as possible. Powered by a range of powerful, yet efficient, diesel engines in 2.2 and 3.0-litre capacities, the XF Sportbrake marks the debut of new derivatives based on the 2.2-litre diesel unit. The engine is now available in 163PS and 200PS outputs – the latter replacing the existing 190PS output engine. Both share highly competitive CO2 emissions starting from just 135g/km and economy of 55.4mpg. The Sportbrake will also be available equipped with a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine in 240PS Diesel and 275PS Diesel S. Each emits 163g/km of CO2 and returns 46mpg on the combined cycle.
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Vauxhall enhances eco-friendly range
Visualise. Understand. Control. Wouldn’t it be great if your ambulance (or fire appliance, or police car, or any other vehicle) could be controlled as easily as making a phone call? The Antares system uses a touch screen to provide ‘app-like’ control of anything and everything on, or around the vehicle, including power management, safety signalling, time management, locker access, asset management, CAFS control, medical gas management, climate control, situational awareness and many more. The Antares touch screen CANbus controller is a single integrated controller with the ability to manage and control everything on the vehicle; gone are the days of this controller for the lights, this controller for the climate control, the other controller for the power management, and yet another for the oxygen delivery system. Not to mention expecting the driver to do some daily tests too.
The Mokka compact SUV.
It’s been a very busy year for Vauxhall with a number of very significant vehicles either launched or announced for launch. The company has also extended its ecoFLEX range of vehicles that deliver improved fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions, plus of course associated costs. Further availability of Start/Stop technology has enhanced Vauxhall’s position of being able to offer the biggest and best selling range of eco-friendly vehicles in the UK. The Ampera, Vauxhall’s Extended Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV), has been winning numerous
long) dimensions. Mokka will be available in either two or four-wheel drive with a selection of petrol and diesel engines and will be available in showrooms from November this year. On the commercial vehicle front the new Combo was launched late 2011. Not only does it have one of the longest and most spacious load areas in its class, but it also has the highest rear-axle weight and largest rear-door opening. Able to carry up to a tonne, it’s offered in two trim levels (Combo and Combo Sportive) with two wheelbases, two roof heights and a choice of two petrol and three diesel engines. For really impressive fuel economy (up to 58.9mpg combined cycle 1.3CDTi) both petrol and diesel versions are available with Start/Stop technology.
Special Vehicles Vauxhall has been busy in the emergency services market too. The company has recently launched a comprehensive in-house decommissioning service and Special Vehicles website (www.vauxhallspecialvehicles.co.uk). Combined with its 100,000 mile Lifetime Warranty, Vauxhall is now firmly established as the number one supplier of low and intermediate vehicles to UK police authorities and also has major contracts in place with UK fire and ambulance fleet authorities.
Improved efficiency By using this joined-up approach efficiency is improved by each ‘app’: • Walk test app: the system does the walk test automatically, so the driver doesn’t need to leave his seat; it can also check information about all tyre pressures. Saving time and ensuring the checks are done • Locker app: UltraView can show the locker being opened and start the camera (if required); show it closed so that the driver can get on his way without spilling contents; but remember it needs to be replenished. Better efficiency by seeing readiness at glance • Asset app: if a valuable asset, such as a defibrillator or expensive cutting equipment, is removed from its correctly stowed position, an alert will be given if the vehicle tries to leave a scene without the asset on-board. Better efficiency by not leaving assets behind when the job is done. The key functions from these apps are brought together on a ‘master screen’, customised to meet the needs of each end user.
www.vauxhallspecialvehicles.co.uk
www.antares.co.uk
The Ampera, Vauxhall’s Extended Range Electric Vehicle.
awards and rave reviews since its launch in early 2012. It combines uncompromised every day usability, from short commutes to long journeys. In electric only mode, it can drive up to 50 miles and then uses a petrol-powered generator to provide the electricity for a further 310 miles. With amazing, whisper-quiet performance – 0 to 60mph in less than nine seconds and a top speed of 100mph – it’s no surprise the Ampera has been voted European Car of the Year 2012. Compact SUV Vauxhall is also about to enter the fast-growing compact SUV market with the five-seat Mokka, which blends all the ‘full-size’ SUV design features – raised ground clearance, high seating position and muscular looks – within its compact (4.28m
Uncluttered access The Antares UltraView control interface will allow vehicle crews to have uncluttered access to all the information, with all the control they require, though a customisable touch screen interface, while reducing the time and cost required for installation. After seeing the implementation already used in the United States by ambulance manufacturer AEV (USA) a number of other subsystem manufacturers, including Eberspächer and MEC Medical, actively sought to have control of their product integrated into the Antares offering, seeing the benefit that could be provided to UK manufacturers and vehicle users.
The new Combo was launched late 2011.
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Quality, performance and compliance: when only the best will do In a market now dominated with LED lighting, Premier Hazard and the PSE Group have taken the lead with LED innovation and design technology. Recent alterations in legislative requirements, within the UK, for supply of vehicle lighting to the UK police forces, have resulted in the need for a minimum ECE REG65 compliance. Continuous investment has enabled Premier Hazard to meet and exceed these requirements. The introduction of TriCore™ technology, the world’s brightest and highest performing LED product range, has set a new standard in road visibility and officer safety. Offering up to twice the light output of all other LEDs, nothing in the market can match the power of this unit, says Premier Hazard. Supplied across all continents, this LED fitted predominantly in the Defender lightbar, is now a clear market leader.
“The design process is supported by an ability to respond quickly to new requirements.” Din Slot controller.
Supporting TriCore™, within the Premier Hazard range, are the ’PriZm™ II’ reflector technology, available as single or dual colour LED units, enabling more light options without increasing the number of LEDs used. The ability to change the light head colour, from blue to white or blue to red, can provide additional benefits to officers at scene of crime/accident investigation. Additional benefits Add to this the new Spectre LED, specifically designed to meet the requirements of ECE REG65, and the options are limitless. The new Spectre LED is available within lightbars or as a surface mount unit. Used in the new Sovereign lightbar, this LED has enabled a price competitive option, which meets the requirements for both general purpose and fast response vehicles.
Innovative design Alongside any good light an equally good switching system is required. That is why Premier Hazard has recently invested in its new Din Mount Controller. Conscious of the need to minimise protrusions within the vehicle the new Din Mount Controller has been designed for ease of installation and use. The control panel communicates with a relay box to enable control of the vehicle siren, lightbar and additional light systems. Removable button inserts allow the end user to customise the panel layout, along with user programmable button functions. The relay box has an innovative magnetic fuse aperture cover that can be edited using a permanent waterproof pen for fuse information. Additional functionality includes: reverse polarity and under voltage protection, ATO fuse protected outputs and adjustable LED button illumination.
Tricore Defender lightbar.
Design is not enough to guarantee quality and performance; that is why all products supplied undergo a full suite of in-house testing, including: EMC, water/dust ingress, vibration, humidity, hot/cold chambers and, most importantly, photometric testing to ECE REG65. Manufactured in Bridlington, North Yorkshire, with components sourced wherever possible within the UK, the design process is supported by an ability to respond quickly to new requirements.
Switch panel in Focus console.
In addition to developing generic switching systems, Premier Hazard also developed a new design for switch panel mounting in the Ford Focus. Working closely with the vehicle manufacturer, a design modification to the main console has resulted in a very sleek, user-friendly switch system option.
Ambulance lightbar.
When ‘half a bar’ is preferred With its new LED for the ambulance market, the FM9000 half bar, Premier Hazard offers ambulance services a slimmer, brighter option. To achieve maximum light output for this half bar, further design and development has resulted in the mini TriCore™ LED, a smaller LED unit with the same intensity light output. The FM9000 bar is also available with the option of Spectre LEDs. Caught on camera To complement the vast range of hazard warning equipment on offer from Premier Hazard, the NAPFM 2012 exhibition will see the launch of an exciting new range of mobile CCTV systems. The three ranges of equipment are the only complete packages currently on offer within the emergency services market today. Ranging from simple twochannel DVRs and cameras to full four-channel, four-camera, audio and digital recording, all kits come with everything required for installation, including cables and connections.
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CCTV display.
Exciting extras Premier Hazard has recently introduced several new LEDs to its range of products. These include: the new flush mount Hide-A –Blast LED – the only flush-mount hideaway LED on the market, ideal for fitting to head or tail light housings. Also perfect for flush-mount in fend off or tailgate applications. Fitted in a simple 1in drill hole with no screws required, installation time is also significantly reduced; and the new Slimline surface mount LED – with less than 17mm height, this is ideal for applications where space is restricted. Available with flush-mount housing for fend off positions. ECE Reg26 It appears that there has been comment and claims from one or two sources regarding the much
misunderstood ‘REG26’, relating to lightbars and other equipment fitted to police vehicles. It is now clear that most of this is not factually correct and it is now important that the position is clarified. We have received several calls and communications from persons within the trade querying the basis of REG26 and how it applies to those products that we and some other companies supply. We have taken advice from acknowledged statutory bodies within the UK in addition to legal discussions regarding the use and application of equipment such as ours. Clearly we are determined that we will meet and adhere to all required legislation, while continuing to provide a wide option of choice to the emergency services market. The main inference from some individuals has been, in broad terms, that: any lightbars and other equipment, which have been fitted to a vehicle, ordered or delivered from the vehicle manufacturer as a ‘turnkey’ style solution, have to be REG26 approved. Confirmation has been sought and received from both VOSA and MIRA with regard to this. Both of these bodies have confirmed that lightbars and other equipment
fitted after the build of the vehicle and the delivery do NOT have to achieve REG26. This is not a legal requirement. This means that, there is no statutory requirement for REG26 that applies to these products fitted in this way for police application. Framework approval Premier Hazard has recently been awarded a Framework Agreement from the NPIA for Supply or Supply & Fit of Vehicle Mounted Warning Equipment. The award has been given for the following categories: Lot 2 – Mini Lightbars; Lot 3 – General Purpose Lightbar; and Lot 4 – Fast Response/RPU Lightbar. Online catalogue Premier hazard will be launching its new website at the NAPFM exhibition 2012, please visit stand number 8 for a demonstration. Finally – welcome to the team Premier Hazard is pleased to welcome Nic Richel to its sales team. Having previously been within the Safeguard/SVP operations, Nic has a wealth of opportunity within the EMS sector and is already known by key managers and operators within the UK and Ireland. Nic will be joining the Premier Hazard team as Southern Region Area Sales Manager and looks forward to welcoming delegates to the NAPFM exhibition in late September at the Premier Hazard stand. www.premierhazard.co.uk
Author: Barry Driscoll, General Manager, Premier Hazard
Emergency Services Times August 2012
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Ka-band technology: the future of mobile communications Imagine a small, mobile VSAT antenna system that can deliver 8Mbps uploads and 20Mbps downloads using only a 3W BUC. Now imagine that while the hardware costs for this product are comparable to existing Ku-band antennas, the bandwidth costs are only a fraction of what they are today. Welcome to the future: the future of Ka-band technology, and the future of mobile communications within the emergency services sector. Primetech (UK) Ltd has recently entered into a pioneering partnership with the Canadian Company C-COM Satellite Systems, which has been involved with Ka band systems in North America since the early stages. As one of its leading UK distributors, Primetech has been field-testing Ka technology in this country with outstanding results. KA-SAT brings the capability of two-way communications with small dish antennas at higher speeds, greater bandwidth, lower power requirements and a lower cost-per-bit than any satellite before. Unsurprisingly, it is causing a stir within the emergency services industry. Improved real time collaboration One of the first to take advantage of this new technology, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS), is looking to deploy a Ka75V system on its Command Unit. Rob Lacey, Head of IT, Telecoms and Resilience at GFRS, explained his interest in the Ka75V system. He said, “The bandwidth is considerably more than is currently available elsewhere, and at less annual cost, it becomes an attractive high-performance, costeffective solution. It will enhance voice and VoIP communication, and allow greater use of video and other intensive services ensuring effective real-time collaboration both within the service and externally. We also provide connectivity for partner organisations at both exercises and real incidents, so the additional bandwidth will allow for greater interoperability.”
satellite acquisition in minutes. With this type of communication power available, anyone requiring access to vast amounts of data, or needing the ability to provide this data, will be able to achieve more than they thought possible.”
“Additional bandwidth will allow for greater interoperability.”
they have the very latest and best technology that is available. Based within a ‘strategic holding area’, these vehicles will offer communications and coordination, and provide logistical support to the incident commander, with the ability to scale up or scale down as the situation requires. Rob continues, “In our ELS role, our vehicle is normally deployed in a holding area, where you may have briefing shelters for numerous organisations, both Category 1 and 2 responders. Our vehicle can provide internet connectivity for several agencies concurrently, aiding a coordinated and more effective response to an emergency. The additional bandwidth of Ka will only improve that capability.”
For the past five years Gloucestershire has provided one of three interim Enhanced Logistical Support (ELS) vehicles. The ELS capability is part of the Fire National Resilience programme, managed by the National Resilience Assurance team based at the Fire Service College in Gloucestershire. The full complement of nine ELS vehicles has recently been delivered, and can be deployed nationally in support of major incidents or where national assets are deployed. National assets include high volume pumps, urban search and rescue teams and equipment, and mass decontamination modules. It is imperative that
Highly advanced technology This highly advanced technology has benefits that will extend through the whole of the emergency services sector. Henry Walker, Director of Primetech, says, “With the Ka satellite, we have been able to achieve blistering speeds of up to 6Mbps upload and 18+ Mbps download from the small, lightweight iNetVu® Ka-75V Drive-Away Antenna. Because of its adaptability, it can be mounted on even the smallest vehicles and, working seamlessly with the iNetVu® 7021 Controller, it provides single push button, autoacquiring, automatic beam recognition and fast
Mobile trailer This new technology is just the beginning. Primetech is already in the process of taking it one step further with the production of a Mobile KA-SAT Trailer for the UK marketplace (left). It is being developed to accommodate the maximum towing weight restriction of 750kg put on ‘younger’ drivers. The trailer is based on the world famous Sankey trailer, which means that it retains its off-road capabilities and flexibility, while at the same time meeting the new weight restrictions. Henry concludes, “This is a really exciting time for the industry. We have many years of practical experience in this demanding market and pride ourselves on our ability to provide a specialised and unrivalled range of interoperable solutions. This is largely through the partnerships we have formed with industry leaders like C-COM Satellite Systems, and progressive organisations like Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service.” www.primetech.co.uk
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National agreement secured for disposal and recycling of police vehicles provides a contracted means of disposal of end-oflife vehicles as well as the opportunity for forces to buy back non-safety related parts. The new contract, with FAB Recycling Ltd, can and will be used by all UK forces and a number of other public sector bodies. It meets all legal requirements as set out in the Vehicle End of Life (ELV) Regulations 2003/5, The Motor Vehicle Salvage Operations Regulations 2002 and all other current relevant European waste legislation.
An agreement has been secured in Yorkshire and the Humber for the safe disposal and recycling of end-of-life police vehicles. The agreement, which comes as a result of work carried out by the recently launched Regional Procurement Team, on behalf of the Home Office and National Association of Police Fleet Managers (NAPFM), will run for a period of two years initially and
Considerable cash savings A number of police forces have already been using recycled parts for several years and have made considerable cash savings over purchasing new parts. In West Yorkshire for example, during the 2011/12 financial year, the force saved over £44,000 on recycled crash repair parts alone and a further £61,000 on all other recycled parts. Steve Thompson, Head of Transport for West Yorkshire Police and the Regional Lead for Fleet in Yorkshire and the Humber, said, “This contract not only provides a safe and effective means of disposing of end of life vehicles in accordance with all environmental legislation, it will also encourage a greater use of recycled parts across all UK police forces hence providing for additional cash savings.” Head of Regional Collaboration, Deputy Chief Constable Mark Whyman, said, “I’m immensely
proud of the work that has been carried out by our new Regional Procurement Team and our fleet specialists in support of this initiative. Not only will this benefit the four forces of our region, but all other police forces up and down the country. It is a clear example of what can be achieved through effective collaboration.”
FAB Recycling Ltd’s Mygreenfleet scheme was developed specifically for UK police forces. Rebecca Farmer, IT and Contracts Manager at FAB Recycling Ltd, said, “FAB has worked closely with forces such as West Yorkshire and Gloucestershire Police to fully customise the service provided, making it unique in the marketplace. FAB provides a secure disposal route for vehicles, a transparent audit trail, detailed management reporting and a first class re-supply chain of parts for re-use.” www.westyorkshire.police.uk
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Peugeot helping St John Ambulance save lives with new mobile treatment centres St John Ambulance has launched six mobile treatment centres (MTCs), following a collaborative partnership between the charity, Peugeot and VCS Limited. The MTCs are 8.5m-long, motorised medical facilities that allow high quality care to be given to a large number of people, on site at events or when the charity’s personnel are responding in times of national emergency. In 2011 St John Ambulance issued a brief to VCS, a specialist vehicle convertor company, to create six MTCs that could fit the multi-purpose requirement. They also wanted to meet Care Quality Commission (CQC) guidance and be equivalent to an A&E ambulance in clinical standards; for instance, featuring wipeable and stainless steel materials, sealed-edge floor for easy cleaning plus hands-free taps.
Versatile range Due to the versatility of its current range and the ability of its models to allow for specialist modifications, VCS enlisted the help and expertise of the charity’s chosen supplier, Peugeot, to provide the vehicles for the new mobile medical centres. A 157-horsepower Peugeot chassis cab was adapted with a low floor twin-axle conversion by AL-KO to a gross vehicle weight of 6.5-tonnes.
Roger Clements, National Fleet Manager at St John Ambulance, said, “The vehicles met the brief completely. Each vehicle can treat up to six stretcher patients and 10-seated patients at any one time, equating to nearly 40 patients an hour; more than doubling the capacity of anything that exists at present.”
Ambulance in its objective of being the difference between life and death. www.peugeot.co.uk www.sja.org.uk www.vcsltd.org.uk
Mobile treatment centres Mark Kerrigan, Engineering Director and co-owner of VCS Ltd, added, “With such a specific brief, we knew we needed to call upon a manufacturer with a versatile range but also one that had previous experience of adapting vehicle specifications. Peugeot was the natural choice. “Using specialist technology and the assistance of KFS in Andover, who supplied the bodies, we designed and built the clinics to meet the requirements set out in the brief and with Peugeot’s help, have created six state-of-the-art units that will enable volunteers to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies or provide on-site care at events up and down the country.” The six new vehicles, which will have an operational life of at least 15 years, have been used at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and various sporting events throughout 2012, helping St John
London’s Olympic MINIs are a BIG success The London Fire Brigade (LFB) used five specially converted MINIs during the Olympic and Paralympic Games to provide an immediate response to small incidents, such as bin fires and other minor emergencies during the Games. The MINIs are liveried in the iconic LFB branding and are fitted with blue LED lights and a siren. They carry a range of equipment, such as foam, water and dry powder extinguishers to tackle various types of small fires, as well as first aid equipment. Olympic supplier BMW supplied the following vehicles to emergency services for use during the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics: London Ambulance Service – three X5 xDrive30d AC and two X3 xDrive20d AC fully marked NHS Ambulance RRVs; Met Police – 10 R1200 RT-Ps, two X5 xDrive30d AC and one 530d AC Touring marked
police vehicles for the Olympic Torch Relay; one X5 xDrive30d AC and one 530d AC Touring marked police cars for the Olympic Cycle races; Dorset Police – 10 BMW cars for VIP movements and to support transportation; one 530d AC saloon marked
police car; South West Ambulance Service – one X3 xDrive20d AC marked ambulance; and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service has one MINI Countryman Cooper D ALL4 marked incident response vehicle. www.london-fire.gov.uk
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NPIA Automotive and Equipment Section looks forward to Home Office move As part of the Government’s National Policing evaluation process. Future police vehicles and Improvement Agency (NPIA) closure in 2012, equipment that adhere to the OBSVA criteria various critical functions are being consolidated will be designed and tested to meet the robust or transferred into other organisations. This needs of the emergency service environment, applies to the team of engineers in the while providing a high level of equipment Automotive and Equipment Section (AES); in compatibility and providing a framework October they will be joining their colleagues in enabling the introduction of new technologies the Home Office at the Centre for Applied easily and on a timely basis going forward. Science and Technology (CAST). Both forces During the transition of the police fleet to and suppliers shall continue to be supported OBSVA vehicles, a greater level of verification and provided with expert advice, and vehicles and risk management can be achieved by and equipment verification. consulting AES at the start of a project. This With over 120 vehicles assessed for forces and will reduce the risk of procuring equipment or manufacturers in the last year, it’s been an vehicles that have electromagnetic or electrical The One Box system comprises: a data network; managed power supply; a control system, extremely busy period for AES managing issues that will decrease operational based on CanBus technology; and a greatly improved cockpit layout. specification and assessment tasks – working effectiveness. This applies to mobile with test houses and providing on-site technical Gaining compliance information devices as these are used in and around support nationally. Focusing on equipment, AES is liaising with vehicles and by officers with handheld radios. Early While the number of non-compliances on new Home Office procurement supporting national engagement ensures the right advice and support is vehicles is now low, AES has continued to evaluate framework agreements by identifying uncertified provided and other scientific knowledge in Home and highlight vehicle installations that have products in the emergency service domain and Office CAST can be accessed. www.npia.police.uk demonstrated the potential to cause a reduction in working with a wide range of suppliers and test www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/cast/ operational effectiveness. This normally occurs when houses to gain compliance. For more information please contact non-compliant equipment or vehicles are utilised. A priority has been assisting ACPO Intelligent aes@npia.pnn.police.uk Also, by assessing new installations and fulfilling a Transport Systems (ITS) and CAST with the market surveillance function, the quality of thirddevelopment of the test and evaluation requirements Author: Paul Flack BEng MIET, AES Manager, party, vehicle manufacturer and in-force installations for the One Box Single Vehicle Architecture Automotive & Equipment Section, Operations remains high, therefore maintaining reliability and (OBSVA) criteria. This means existing AES Directorate, National Policing Improvement safety in role. specifications are now part of an overall integrated Agency.
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UAVs to the rescue ORCHID, a UK university research programme funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, is to use artificial intelligence methods to coordinate the human and machine elements of a disaster management operation. Humans can provide only partial situational awareness, such as where facilities are and what buildings are damaged. This needs to be augmented by uninhabited air vehicles (UAVs) that can overfly a disaster zone to survey the bigger picture. Imagine a scenario where explosions in a major city have triggered flooding and fires. Pandemonium ensues: crowds throughout the city start evacuating the area, afraid of further explosions and trying to avoid the rising water level. Within minutes, social networking sites around the world are being inundated with live video footage, uploaded by people on the ground from their mobile phones. This peak in data traffic rapidly overwhelms these networks. Conventional media is unable to maintain pace with the rapidly evolving situation on a large scale. This creates a scenario in which emergency responders are rushing toward the scene of the emergency, but their response is hampered by the breakdown of existing communication networks and the paucity of information about what is happening on the ground.
“The key to effective disaster response is compiling accurate and timely situational awareness.”
Figure 1: The future disaster response landscape.
Challenge Disasters scenarios such as this are characterised by uncertainty and a rapidly changing situation. The main challenge is therefore to reduce uncertainty and respond with agility. Participating in this complex operation, conducted over a large scale, are the first responders who act upon fragments of information provided by a number of sources, such as UAVs, CCTV feeds, and crowdgenerated content. If the operation is not carefully orchestrated it could lead to bottlenecks, delays, and duplication of effort. Central orchestration, the traditional approach to disaster management, can be slow and inflexible. This is because information has to be uploaded to a command centre, whereupon it is processed to yield recommended actions, which are flowed back to the response team. This is inefficient when the response team is large and geographically dispersed and communications are strained.
Solution The solution, according to ORCHID, is to use artificial intelligence methods to coordinate the human and machine elements of a disaster management operation. The key to effective disaster response is compiling accurate and timely situational awareness, ie a current picture of what is where, and a projection of how the picture may change over time. Humans can provide only partial situational awareness, such as where facilities are and what buildings are damaged. This needs to be augmented by uninhabited air vehicles (UAVs) that can overfly a disaster zone to survey the bigger picture. ORCHID envisages a collective response to disasters involving humans and machines. For example, information from members of the public, sent by smartphones, could be aggregated by computers to improve situation awareness. UAVs may provide real-time footage to disaster responders on the ground, who can request specific information from the UAVs using hand-held electronic devices. Autonomous ground vehicles may also have a critical role to play in a collective response to disasters, entering areas that pose danger to humans. This mixture of resources produces a more effective response, but only if the
resources are intelligently allocated to tasks on the ground. The ORCHID project is developing software underpinned by powerful mathematical methods to achieve intelligent resource allocation. This is done by decentralised coordination between the UAVs, enabling them to operate as an efficient team. To do this they pass messages between each other, but the solution is robust to out-of-sync or dropped data. Decentralised coordination means the UAVs determine their optimal strategy to collect information requests from humans and distribute them back to the ground. Timescale The solution has already been tested extensively in field trials located in Sydney, Australia. The trials involved Hexacopter UAVs, which have six rotary blades and are just under a metre in width. These proved the concept that UAVs can be allocated tasks from the ground and fly as a coordinated unit to action these tasks. The next stage is to re-run the trails with mock disasters in open spaces and dynamic interaction between humans and UAVs. This is scheduled to take place in October 2012. A fully operational system is expected in 2014. Several police forces have expressed interest and it is hoped government and NGO organisations will also take up the technology. Further Information The ORCHID project is a partnership between the universities of Southampton, Oxford, and Nottingham, and BAE Systems, Secure Meters Ltd, and the Australian Centre for Field Robotics. www.orchid.ac.uk
Figure 2: PDAs issuing imagery collection tasks to UAVs.
Author: Dr David Nicholson, School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton
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Excelerate’s mobile emergency command communications deliver ‘massive’ benefits Emergency services are finding creative new ways of using the power and versatility of Excelerate’s mobile satellite broadband and related solutions to transform the efficiency of emergency service response. The apprehension of suspects using dynamically updated databases accessed by mobile police Automatic Number Place Recognition (ANPR) units, on-site emergency call handling by an ambulance service at a large public event, and fast access to fire and rescue service risk analysis. These are just some of the many ways in which UK emergency services are benefiting from the versatility and power of mobile satellite broadband, wireless data, video, voice and related solutions supplied by Excelerate Technology. Now that mobile satellite broadband has been adopted by so many emergency services, the services themselves are discovering increasingly innovative ways to use these technologies to deliver improved performance, greater public safety and enhancing risk assessment for operational staff, enabling greater personnel safety. Emergency services are also finding that creative new applications developed by one branch of the emergency services often have relevance to other services.
“Emergency services are finding increasingly imaginative ways to use mobile satellite broadband and related solutions to deliver improved performance and greater public and emergency worker safety.” Maximise effectiveness of resources Take the imaginative new use for mobile satellite broadband developed by the Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS), which has potential relevance to other emergency services wanting to maximise the effectiveness of their resources at wide-area incidents. Recently, at the T4 on the Beach music festival, which attracted a crowd of about 75,000 people, the ambulance service’s mobile command unit, supplied by Excelerate Technology, had a critical role to play in supporting the ambulance crews and mobile field hospital deployed at the event. Because the unit is satellite broadband enabled it could be
The impact of mobile satellite broadband in support of Surrey Police’s ANPR vans has been ‘massive’, according to Paul Palmer, Head of Surrey Police’s ANPR team.
used to plug into the Computer Aided Despatch (CAD) system at the service’s main Emergency Operations Centre. The system is used to receive emergency calls from the public and to deploy ambulance crews and vehicles to patients. Oliver Tovey, the GWAS officer responsible for the mobile command vehicle, said, “We used our mobile command unit to plug into and monitor our own Great Western Ambulance Service CAD (Computer Aided Despatch) system, so that we could keep an eye on overall demand on the nonaligned system in the area. Using the access provided by mobile satellite broadband we can keep an eye on local hospital demand in the area, so that when we are at an event that has quite an isolated focus we can make a decision on whether to treat the patients there – on-site – or whether we have the capacity to take them off-site to a hospital. “Whilst we are at any event we are monitoring our CAD system through broadband, so we have access to and can see all activities and demand on our total resources. Any jobs that the general public
would normally call 999 on we are able to intercept locally, using our mobile command unit, and respond to locally with event-specific crews. That takes the workload off our Emergency Operations centre and keeps total GWAS resources fully operational.” Surrey Police is seeing huge benefits from its use of mobile satellite broadband in two mobile ANPR vans using Excelerate Technology solutions. When a vehicle driven by a well-known criminal, a murder suspect, or a car thief, passes by an unmarked Automatic Number Plate Recognition vehicle operated by Surrey Police’s ANPR team, the number plate can be scanned, recognised on a hot list, and an alarm registered on-screen by an operator, all within a few seconds. Within a few more seconds a police car parked a few hundred yards along the road can be alerted by the ANPR van operator and the vehicle pursued. Shortly afterwards the vehicle of interest can be stopped and the suspect apprehended.
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Great Western Ambulance Service has recently used its satellite broadband-enabled mobile command unit for on-site 999 call handling at major public events.
The impact of mobile satellite broadband, combined with these and other technologies, according to Paul Palmer, Head of Surrey Police’s ANPR team, has been ‘massive’. “Our ANPR strategy is ‘Operation Shield – protecting our border and communities’, which is basically a ring of steel in the shape of ANPR cameras around our borders,” says Paul. “There are around 35 sites with about 150 cameras. There are also a few tactical ones within the county, and then we complement that with our mobile ANPR strategy. If anyone is going to come into the county to commit crime then we can pick them up at the borders. With our home grown criminals we can pick them up fairly quickly within the county and find out what they are up to. “If we are in a particular area, say in the northern part of the county, we can place the mobile system within the area without the fixed site cameras and still monitor the fixed site cameras, vastly expanding our area of operation and deployment opportunities. Also, if something big comes in we can deploy to it straight away. “When we are out on a dedicated operation we have units that are just waiting for those alarms to ping. In Surrey we have three dedicated teams taking on that kind of work. When the alarm goes off, our cars will be waiting for them. Our operators
monitor the system all the time. When these vehicles come into Surrey they highlight them to us and then we go off and intercept them. “There are two ways the system updates during the day, one of the key benefits of using Excelerate’s mobile satellite broadband. If we upload from other forces it sends data out from the back office straight to the van.
“Surrey Police is seeing ‘massive’ benefits from its use of mobile satellite broadband in two mobile ANPR vans.”
“The other thing that it does, with the Police National Computer, is if a vehicle comes through that has just recently been stolen – literally within minutes – and that has been placed on a lost/stolen marker, if that vehicle comes past our van, or a fixed site, the system will scan the loaded hot list. If it doesn’t find the number because it is so new it fires that index number off to the Police National Computer where it will find it in the fast track pool. So even if it is only a couple of minutes old the system will still pick it up. In terms of Surrey Police alone, in this last year we have had five markers come through for people potentially wanted for murder who were stopped and arrested.” Surrey Police is seeing huge benefits from its use of mobile satellite broadband in two mobile ANPR vans using
Proven success There is a convincing reason why Surrey Police has treated Automatic Number Plate Recognition and the supporting vehicles and technologies as such a high priority – proven success. “In Surrey, the reason we run our Operation Shield is based on evidence that nearly 40 percent of all crime that is committed in Surrey is committed by offenders who live outside the county. What we do know also is that if we have a higher crime area, and my teams move into the area, crime decreases. Potential offenders see all the units in the area and disappear. “We operate two fully equipped ANPR vans, one marked and one unmarked, using the satellite technology to link into our systems,” continues Paul Palmer. “We can actually deploy our van into an area where we have no cameras, also using the satellite technology, and we can look at all the fixed sites around us as well. We have one slightly older van, the marked van, which we have upgraded, with newer cameras and technology. “The most recent van was our unmarked van, which came online about a year ago, and we have been having some great success with it. It needs just one person to operate it and it is very straightforward. The only time we need extra personnel is if we are on a site such as a motorway, where we can expect to be really busy. To set the equipment up is a one-person operation.” World-leading reputation Excelerate Technology has built its reputation throughout the UK on its provision, integration, training and support of data, video and voice solutions via satellite and wireless across all UK emergency services, including the world-leading HART programme for the ambulance service (with 18 command vehicle sets in England, one in Wales and two in Scotland). West Midlands, Royal Berkshire, West Yorkshire, Strathclyde, and now Devon and Somerset are some of the growing number of fire and rescue services that have introduced Excelerate’s solutions. New technologies such as mobile satellite broadband, wireless video and rapidly deployable solutions that can be worn by emergency service personnel or located on aerial or climbing platforms, and interoperable communications, are revolutionising modern emergency communications. They are doing this because they have been proven to deliver unique benefits that help emergency service commanders to access, collect and share critical incident information in real time. This information can then be used to improve the effectiveness of the way in which they deploy and coordinate their resources – people, vehicles and specialist equipment – as well as monitor risk and keep up to date with new, complex and fast moving developments. www.excelerate-group.com Tel: +44 (0)8456 585747 E-mail: enquiries@excelerate.info
Author: Stephen Prendergast
Excelerate Technology solutions.
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Vehicle tracking solution provides cost-saving benefits Established in 1993, TRACKER’s 18 years’ experience has made it the UK’s number one supplier of vehicle tracking services. With over a million market-leading and award-winning devices fitted to cars, motorcycles, HGVs, LCVs, plant and construction equipment, TRACKER continues to lead the market today. Working alongside its customers and drawing on the requirements of today’s telematics user, TRACKER has developed a suite of products that overcome the diverse needs of organisations of all sizes. Designed following a comprehensive consultation programme with fleet managers, TRACKER Fleet is a telematics product that provides real time fleet tracking, enabling users to keep control of their assets and make informed business decisions. The award-winning telematics solution enables fleet managers to meet the financial, legislative and duty of care challenges facing them by offering the most comprehensive telematics system available on the market.
“TRACKER worked in partnership with its customers to deliver a robust fleet offering.” TRACKER Fleet’s Dashboard provides users with the ability to create a customised single view of their fleet’s activity.
TRACKER Fleet provides important cost-saving benefits, not just for the short-term, by identifying fuel inefficiencies, but also longer-term, by providing valuable insights into driver and business behaviour, enabling fleet managers to: reduce fuel and overtime costs; reduce CO2 emissions and carbon footprint; optimise fleet utilisation and complete more jobs; ensure best driving practices; and deliver improved service levels.
The TRACKER Fleet solution comes with numerous advanced features, including: • Transient Voltage Detection – unique, patented technology provides a true measure of engine idling time by sensing the electrical noise created when the vehicle’s engine is running • Battery Powered Modules – this ensures assets that have no built-in power supply, such as mobile units and trailers, can be monitored. It is also a cost-effective and convenient solution for
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TRACKER Fleet uses many advanced Google Maps API Premier features.
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managing short-term fleet contracts due to its long-life battery and ease of install Single and Multiple Inputs – by using Single or Multiple Inputs, TRACKER Fleet Plus can connect to a number of external devices such as gritters, sweepers, power take-offs and vehicle doors. Alerts can be set to show instant and real time usage of external devices and reports created to show detailed usage patterns Key Performance Indicators – set by fleet managers to reflect their own needs, including whether vehicles are exceeding their daily mileage allowances or going over the set speed limit for various areas, allowing managers to identify any inefficiencies in routes and any drivers who may be taking risks on journeys Driver Identification – in businesses where drivers have access to multiple vehicles, identifying who is driving which vehicle and when is essential. With TRACKER Fleet Plus Driver Identification, each driver uses their personalised tag to identify him or herself to the vehicle before starting the journey. This allows the TRACKER Fleet website to be viewed from a driver perspective rather than by vehicle Fully customisable Dashboard – TRACKER Fleet’s Dashboard provides users with the ability to create a customised single view of their fleet’s activity. The Dashboard can include information on KPIs, maps and reports Driving Style – this module allows fleet managers to review the overall driving style of their fleet and evaluate individual driving behaviour. Driving Style creates a driver score per vehicle, based on acceleration, braking, cornering, speeding and idling, which can then
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be placed into a driver league table for either the entire fleet or particular groups of vehicles. Comparison is even further enhanced as the system uses the overall TRACKER Fleet Park to create a benchmark, which allows fleet managers to understand how their fleet performs against industry averages. Changing driver behaviour provides reduced fuel bills and maintenance costs as well as improving legislative compliance • Google Maps – TRACKER Fleet uses many advanced Google Maps API Premier features, such as layering, clustering, the overlaying of journey data and 3D Streetview to provide TRACKER Fleet users with the most innovative and intuitive mapping facilities available • Easy integration into existing company software – integration with business systems such as routing or scheduling software or packages like Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics is straightforward. What’s more, TRACKER’s website can be viewed on all modern web browsers and platforms including tablets and smartphones. TRACKER Fleet was created as a customer centric proposition. From initial research and development, right through to launch, TRACKER worked in partnership with its customers to deliver a robust fleet offering that exceeds the needs of today’s telematics user.
SVR Expert TRACKER’s experience and expertise does not just lie with telematics. The company has been leading the way in stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) since 1993. Acting like a homing device, TRACKER’s innovative SVR systems incorporate both GSM and GPS and, uniquely, VHF technology in one unit. Unlike other SVR solutions, which are based solely on GSM and GPS, the company’s use of VHF technology enables the police to pinpoint a stolen vehicle, even if it is hidden in a container or garage. Uniquely and unlike other stolen vehicle recovery products on the market, TRACKER’s technology includes jamming counter measures to overcome criminals using GPS jammers. Impressive statistics TRACKER is the only provider of vehicle tracking services to work with all 52 police forces in the UK and its success statistics speak for them. To date the company has recovered more than 21,229 stolen vehicles – worth a staggering £459m. Each
month it helps to recover on average £2m worth of stolen vehicles and has also led the police to arrest over 2197 vehicle thieves. TRACKER boasts accreditation from leading industry bodies including Thatcham, ISO 9001 and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). The company recently renewed its membership with the ACPO Secured by Design initiative, which recognises the highest quality security and crime prevention products. The Secured by Design mark of quality guarantees that TRACKER’s SVR products have been tested and certified by Thatcham and meet strict police guidelines. Furthermore, TRACKER recently announced a partnership with high profile charity Crimestoppers, to cement its commitment to tackling vehicle theft at a local level while also supporting neighbourhoods nationwide. This new relationship brings together two like-minded organisations to help prevent vehicle theft. Here to stay TRACKER remains committed to developing solutions that anticipate and respond to the changing dynamics of the marketplace. With nearly 20 years’ experience in the stolen vehicle and telematics industry, customers can rest assured the company will be here tomorrow. www.TRACKER.co.uk
Framework reduces time and cost of procurement for emergency services The Consortium Fire and Rescue’s Specialist Vehicle Framework has been designed to meet the needs of the wider public sector wherever there is a special or bespoke vehicle requirement. It doesn’t matter if you need a refuse collection vehicle, a command and control vehicle or a fuel tanker, this framework agreement can provide it. The framework agreement is available for use by a wide range of customers including emergency services, public safety organisations, government departments and the local authority sector. It is divided into three Lots, which can be used either individually or together to provide a vehicle suitable for specialist use. Three Lots The Lots are divided up as follows: Lot 1: Includes light and heavy commercial vehicles that could range from pickup trucks through to multi-axle heavy commercial trucks and tractor units Lot 2: Includes bodywork and/or top hampers and trailers. It would also encompass vehicles where the bodywork is part of the function of the vehicle, ie tankers, mobile information units, logistics carriers etc Lot 3: Covers the conversion, which includes a range of activities from converting a standard panel van into a mobile workplace to installing
prefer a full turnkey approach, then you can use all three Lots to achieve this.
equipment, beacons, sirens, logos and communication systems. Having the different Lots offers complete flexibility as you can use the ones relevant to your needs. For example, if you already have a free issue chassis, then you could use Lots 2 and/or 3 to cover the conversion elements. Alternatively, if you would
Why use a framework? Frameworks offer a faster and easier contracting route as they are all fully EU compliant and therefore reduce the time taken to complete your procurement process. Using pre-agreed terms and conditions means that the time and resource required for tendering can be significantly reduced. In addition, The Consortium provides expert advice alongside the framework contracts. The level of assistance is flexible depending on what is required and ranges from just checking what you’ve done to running the whole mini competition process for you. There is no charge for this service, regardless of the level of support required. Alan Paulinski, The Consortium’s Technical Manager, adds, “We have a lot of experience of procuring vehicles that require conversion for a specific use. We’ve worked with a significant number of fire authorities and other public organisations to help them specify their requirements, evaluate supplier responses and we have even run a number of mini competitions on their behalf.” Registered users of The Consortium Fire and Rescue’s website can access further details relating to the Specialist Vehicles Framework online. www.fireandrescue.co.uk
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Bluelite leads Vehicle lighting and markings: the way for high extra value from combined visibility livery West Sussex-based Bluelite Graphics Ltd is leading the way in the UK market in the supply of high visibility livery and markings to the emergency services. Lorraine Avery, General Manager of Bluelite, says, “We deal not only with the conventional highway patrol cars and motorbikes, but our service also extends to markings for all other vehicles used by the police, fire and ambulance services.”
Bluelite has developed a reputation for quality, innovation and customer support and continuously invests in technology, operating the latest digital cutting and printing machinery from its modern, spacious facility. The service it provides is quality assured and meets rigorous environmental standards, as evidenced by the fact that Bluelite has gained ISO 9001 and BS 8555 accreditations.
Livery ‘firsts’ The company was the first to introduce the concept of livery ‘kits’ and has vast experience in producing and applying conspicuity markings to all manner of vehicles, from patrol boats to helicopters, in line with the national standards for conspicuity and durability. Lorraine continues, “In addition to the emergency services, Bluelite extends its expertise in design, cutting and application of high visibility livery to key agencies such as the Highways Agency, the Environment Agency and local authorities, meeting the differing needs of each customer for material specification, finishing and fitting. No challenge is too great for us!” Bluelite also leads the way through its fast crash repair service, despatching replacement items within 48 hours of order. And as a preferred supplier for all major materials manufacturers, Bluelite can respond efficiently to requests for rolled goods, cut to size and edge-sealed where needed and will ensure that combinations of materials used adhere to national guidelines and legal requirements. You can see Bluelite on Stand 455 in Hall 3 at The Emergency Services Show 2012. www.bluelitegraphics.co.uk
purchasing power
Onus Technologies has been striving to provide a high-quality, focused range of visual and audible warning products tailored to the emergency and ancillary services since 2005. This ambition has been boosted by the company’s expansion in recent years, followed by its recent amalgamation with Freight Products (FPL), part of the Sandhurst Group. The company has invested heavily in research and development for its marketplace, carrying out studies into the effectiveness of emergency warning lighting and looking for ways to improve product output and reliability. This is in addition to increasing its stock profile for unrivalled availability. The parent company operates other brands including Chevron Warehouse, Tomar UK and 911Signal, sharing technology and product expertise between each division. New and redesigned products Later this year, Onus will be attending The Emergency Services Show 2012 (ESS2012) at Stoneleigh Park (Stand 4) to demonstrate a range of new and redesigned products, including LED light bars, beacons, directional warning and vehicle conspicuity markings. Part of the combination with FPL has enabled the company to start offering an ever-expanding range of Crystal, Diamond and engineering grade retro-reflective chevron and battenberg markings to all of the market sectors at exceptional prices. In addition to this new range, Onus will be demonstrating a range of new ECE R65 approved technologies including; CMR® (Contour Mirror Reflector) LED lighting, revised versions of the Commander light bar featuring new Radiance™ LED technology or LED rotator options and a light bar that features hermetically-sealed components for incredible durability.
Demonstrator vehicle During the show you will be able to find the company’s new demonstrator vehicle fitted with a selection of Onus products, updates for which can be found as they are announced on the company's Facebook and Twitter pages.
As an added incentive, while the pressure on budgets continues, the company can provide extra value by combining purchasing power, supplying vehicle lighting and markings together. Tim Sanders, Managing Director, said, “This is an exciting time for Onus and the group as it emerges as a market specialist, combining value for money with customer service excellence and technology. “The synergy and capacity created from the amalgamation of these companies will only help to better serve our customers.” You can pre-register online for the new catalogue on the Onus website or collect one at ESS 2012. www.onustechnologies.co.uk www.facebook.com/onustechnologies Follow @Onustech
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Investment north, south and west of the border Fire and rescue services across the UK are investing in the latest emergency vehicles, including the first vehicles badged under the ‘Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’ name. Two new turntable ladders and four combined rescue pumps have been bought by Avon Fire and Rescue Service and will be based at stations throughout the region. The turntable ladders are the first of their kind to enter service in the UK. Each vehicle features: a 27m Metz ladder, on a MAN TGM 15-tonne chassis; an on-board stretcher, which can be attached to the cage to assist with the rescue of casualties; an on-board generator, which supports power sockets in the cage itself for easier use of tools and grinders; plus powerful, adjustable, lights attached to the cage. In addition, the floor of the cage has built-in water jets to help cool down any surfaces on to which firefighters might be stepping.
performance fire fighting and rescue equipment. The vehicles are being introduced to improve the service’s ability to respond to emergencies in rural areas and areas with difficult access. They will also improve the service’s existing fleet, enabling an improved emergency response during periods of severe weather, including flooding and snow. The vehicles will not be replacing current rescue pumps, but will work alongside them to provide additional fire and rescue capability. It is intended that the full fleet will be introduced by the end of the year. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has invested in 16 specialist fire appliances.
New Scottish fire appliances Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service has launched its newly refurbished command unit. The vehicle, based at Bo’ness Station, will enhance the service’s command and control capabilities at the scene of major incidents throughout the Forth Valley area through the use of the very latest technology. Chief Fire Officer Kenneth Taylor said, “This is a major step forward for the service. The new command unit now contains the very latest in communications technology, which will be of significant value to our officers and firefighters not only on the fire ground but also at remote locations as well as to other emergency services. “We now have a solid building block on which to continue to add to this technology as it develops. It will be a huge asset not only to our service but the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service when it comes into being.” Scarborough-based company Scott Medical carried out the conversion of the unit. The IT systems were installed by CSFRS and will allow the service to: use specialist software systems for strategic and tactical planning and management of major incident; connect to its main network from the command unit via satellite link; connect to Freesat TV to access rolling news programmes; record decisions made inside the command unit and provide remote live access for senior officers;
Grampian Fire and Rescue Service has taken delivery of two new fire appliances, badged under the ‘Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’ name.
carry out briefings to crews outside the command unit through the use of an external monitor; and use full mapping capability at street view level through mobile data terminals. Grampian Fire and Rescue Service has taken delivery of two new fire appliances that will be based in Aberdeen city centre. The appliances are the first to be purchased since the announcement of a single fire and rescue service in Scotland and have been badged under the ‘Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’ name, however, they still follow Grampian’s distinct and unique white fire appliance livery. The appliances are based on a Scania lorry chassis with fire and rescue service adaptions by Emergency One in Cumnock, Ayrshire. The vehicles cost just over £200,000 each and are designed so that the fire appliance part of the vehicle can be reused at least twice when the chassis comes to the end of its working life, a future saving of more than £100,000 each time. The appliances are fitted with around £100,000 of fire fighting and rescue equipment. Grampian Fire and Rescue Service’s Fleet Manager Raymond Cheyne said, “The badging for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is needed because of the new single Scottish service coming into being next April. There are discussions taking place about a standard livery for all of Scotland’s appliances but there are much more important things to be sorted out in the new service first. We wanted to celebrate the new Scottish service coming into place so chose to use the Saltire. We’ve used high-visibility striping to make it part of the functional design of the appliance. All the markings can be readily changed if needed when a standard is settled on for the future.” Rural response pumps Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has invested in 16 new specialist fire appliances to significantly improve its fire and rescue capability, particularly in rural areas. The innovative Rural Response Pumps are custom-made 4x4 vehicles fitted with high
Heavy Rescue Pumps Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service has secured capital funding from the Government to purchase 12 fire appliances to replace a significant number of vehicles in its aging fleet. Based on historic data and climatic predictions the decision was made to bring the complement of Heavy Rescue Pumps up to four by purchasing an additional two Scanias to provide a strategic capability across Norfolk. The vehicles are based on a Scania chassis, carry enhanced hydraulic rescue equipment, stability equipment, winching capability, high capacity pneumatic lifting units and compressed air foams systems.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service’s turntable ladders are the first of their kind to enter service in the UK.
The service also identified an operational need to provide an increased capability to deal with heathland, grassland and forestry fires along with a capacity to deal with the threat of flooding. As such, 10 4x4 MAN appliances have been purchased to provide a wading capability of up to 750mm and better off-road capability. The capability will be the same as the other appliances, with Weber HRE, PLUs, winching capability and compressed air foam systems. The cabs will have the capacity to carry up to nine personnel. These vehicles would be located according to the risk profile for the county and the rollout should be complete by September 2012. www.avonfire.gov.uk www.centralscotlandfire.gov.uk www.grampianfireandrescueservice.org.uk www.mwwfrs.gov.uk www.norfolk.fire.uk
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High performance reflectivity
3M, the diversified technology company, will be exhibiting at this year’s National Association of Police Fleet Managers (NAPFM) Conference and Exhibition, at which it will be showcasing the latest developments in reflective sheeting for emergency services vehicles. Its high performance Diamond Grade DG3 Reflective Sheeting with assured seal has been used by fire and rescue, ambulance and police fleets throughout the UK to livery their vehicles for a number of years. Katherina Lewis, Product Manager, 3M Traffic Safety Systems, says, “High visibility markings on emergency vehicles save lives so it is vital that vehicle markings work well at all times and in all weathers. The Diamond Grade DG3 Reflective Sheeting from 3M provides optimum reflectivity at every viewing distance and in daytime, low light and dusk, with an assured seal that protects against moisture and dirt ingress. This combination helps increase the safety of emergency vehicles in rural, motorway and urban environments.” Visitors to the 3M stand will be able to view the product up close and see it displayed on a number of different vehicles. Technical experts will also be on hand to offer advice and information on industry best practices and will be available to answer questions. www.3M.co.uk/traffic/ESV
Simple racking
In-vehicle storage specialist Bott has launched Uno, a cost-competitive racking system for light commercial vehicles. Uno is described as ‘pure, simple racking’ offering high quality and flexibility. It is designed to be
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quickly and simply installed either by Bott or end users with commonly available tools. Bott has developed Uno specifically for local authorities with maintenance vehicles and trades people such as plumbers and electricians, to provide them with economical, affordable racking, which will stand the test of time and promote a tidy and organised working environment. Uno can transform any mid to large-sized van into a true mobile workspace, and comprises storage shelves, workbenches, lighting and vices – which can be designed to suit specific vehicles and individual requirements. Uno is available in both a variety of ‘ready-made’ packages or as individual modules so users can create their own, bespoke storage solution. www.bottltd.co.uk
Performance monitoring technology
Ferno has launched ACETECH, a fully integrated vehicle performance monitoring and control system for ambulances and other emergency response vehicles. The technology expands Ferno’s commitment to providing innovative solutions that enhance the safety and performance of emergency medical services and personnel, and those they serve. It is the first of its kind for UK emergency medical vehicles and provides system-wide, on-board intelligence to improve ambulance vehicle efficiency and safety, while reducing an ambulance service’s operating and fuel costs. The full ACETECH system provides constant, real-time, actionable information on a wide range of data points, including: vehicle status and location; equipment location; driving behaviour with event status and duration; occupant restraint status; engine status; and fuel consumption. Using this data as a whole allows emergency fleet managers to take full control of asset placement in the field, increase emergency vehicle driver and occupant safety, and reduce operational and fuel costs. www.fernoacetech.com
Vehicle kennel flooring
Heronrib matting, manufactured by Plastic Extruders Ltd, is being used to help police dogs keep clean and comfortable when on active duty. Specialist vehicle company Auto Umbau required a high performance mat for lining the floors of stainless steel kennels fitted into Vauxhall Zafira cars and Hyundai police dog vehicles. The matting needed to be hygienic and comfortable but also sturdy and solid enough to withstand constant heavy use. Following tests, Heronrib was found to be the perfect solution and has now been rolled out across all the vehicles. Manufactured from nonporous PVC, Heronrib has an overall height of 10mm with an embossed open grid top surface for improved slip resistance and comfort. Additionally, its raised profile underbars help fluids to drain away easily and also facilitates jet cleaning of the cages. A further advantage is that Heronrib has impregnated anti-bacterial and anti-fungal additives making it hygienic and helping to prevent the spread of bacteria, thus reducing the risk of cross-contamination between animals. www.heronrib.com
All power to DMS
DMS technologies, an ISO9001-2008 accredited company, specialises in battery systems, battery charging and the protection of on-board electrical systems. The company’s systems, both 12V and 24V, are in every day use across a wide range of specialist vehicles, including blue light fleets, military armoured vehicles and unmanned support and protection vehicles. Whether the battery requirement is for deep cycle to power onboard systems or high rate for engine
Emergency Services Times August 2012
starting and winches, DMS technologies has the solution. DC-DC converters will enable 12V equipment to run off 24V systems, and vice versa, while inverters allow for AC power to be available too. The recent addition of the Red Flash Low Voltage Disconnect allows users to set a minimum voltage level at which the power from the battery is shut off before any over-discharge occurs. Once the battery is recharged to another settable level the power is reconnected. www.dmstech.co.uk
Compact generator
The new Panda 10000 asynchronous generator from Fischer Panda employs a proven two-cylinder diesel engine and has a nominal power output of 8kW. An iSeries version of this generator is also available, the Panda 10000i, featuring Fischer Panda’s versatile and environmentally friendly inverter technology. Variable speed regulation allows exhaust emissions and fuel consumption to be reduced according to the changing power requirements of the user. Voltage, frequency and the pure sine wave output are maintained across the power range up to the nominal 8kW available. The extremely compact dimensions of both generators require a minimum amount of installation space, optimising space/weight distribution within the vehicle. The generator is fitted inside the sound capsule with an integrated water-cooled exhaust silencer. The customer merely requires an external radiator from Fischer Panda’s extensive range. Alternatively, the generator is available in a self-contained capsule, which can be mounted externally on the vehicle chassis. This ensures optimum use of space within the vehicle. www.fischerpanda.net
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North Fire wins Argus thermal image camera distributorship
North Fire has assumed command of sales and service for the coveted Argus thermal imaging range from e2v to the UK market. Following on from a dominant few years of fire fighting equipment sales and with an ever-increasing reputation for five-star after sales service, North Fire will be employed to intensify sales coverage while supplying the best possible after-sales care possible. e2v’s Vice President of sales for Argus Thermal Imaging, Angus Drummond, said, “Throughout the fire and rescue market our Argus camera is heralded as the brigades’ number one choice for product quality, reliability and innovation. The time is now right to intensify our sales and service coverage through this new partnership with North Fire, so that we can focus on delivering further product innovation to our vital emergency services.” Thrilled with partnership North Fire Managing Director, Oliver North, commented, “Over the past four years we’ve brought previously unseen success to the Rosenbauer Fire Fighting equipment range and now we’re absolutely thrilled to announce our partnership with e2v to supply the future of thermal imaging into the UK’s fire and rescue services. We’ll start with the launch of the excellent new Argus personal camera, which expands the well renowned current product range, whilst intensifying and improving the current front line service structure. As we all know, e2v are one of the world’s finest manufacturers in our marketplace, but this doesn’t automatically make for a good front line supplier so the new structure will reinforce the general appeal of the world class Argus range.” www.north-fire.com
Alasdair Hay gets top job in new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Alasdair Hay will be the first Chief Officer of the new single Scottish Fire and Rescue Service when it goes live on 1 April 2013. The post will be one of the top fire jobs in the UK and one of the most demanding and high profile roles in civic Scotland. Scottish Government legislation will bring together the current eight services to protect and enhance the frontline. Mr Hay is currently acting Chief Fire Officer of Tayside. He has also worked with Essex County Fire and Rescue, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Advisory Unit and the Scottish Fire Services College. He is expected to start in the Autumn, following the appointment of the SFRS Chair. This will help ensure a smooth transition to the new service. The new single Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will have a workforce of more than 9000 firefighters and support staff, with accountability for a multi-million pound budget and responsibility for ensuring the safety of more than five million people. The new service will reduce duplication of support services and sustain frontline services and ensure more equal access to specialist support and national capacity. It will also strengthen the connection between services and communities, by creating a new formal relationship with each of the 32 local authorities.
Mr Hay said, “I am honoured to take this unique opportunity to shape and deliver the new single Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. It will allow us to sustain and improve the local services communities in all parts of Scotland depend on, to build on success and do more. “Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a genuine commitment to partnership working. I will continue to work closely with the workforce, unions, government, local authorities and other key partners to maintain the high standards of the Scottish fire and rescue services. “Above all, the single Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will strengthen the connections with all communities and the people we serve. This new service will be efficient and effective, and focused on the needs of the people who depend on the vital services our dedicated workforce delivers.” www.scotland.gov.uk
Emergency One and Clan Tools announce merger
In brief . . . The London Ambulance Service (LAS) is anticipating cost savings of £200,000 per year by outsourcing its financial accounting services and the management of its accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR) processes. ELFS Shared Services (ELFS), a division of Calderstones Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, will be managing the trust’s financial processes using a finance system that is being provided, hosted and supported by Advanced Business Solutions (Advanced). ELFS is now providing shared services to 17 NHS client organisations at its north west base. www.londonambulance.nhs.uk
A new Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) has been appointed to Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service. Simon Furlong, previously serving with West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, will be replacing Nathan Travis who, in turn, will be taking over as Deputy Chief Fire Officer from Colin Thomas, who retires from the county’s fire and rescue service after 31 years. Simon’s previous responsibilities have included service performance and improvement, training and development, risk reduction, operational response and project responsibility for the East and West Sussex joint control room. www.oxfordshire.gov.uk
The Scottish Ambulance Service has selected Gama Aviation Limited (Gama) to be its dedicated provider of air ambulance services for a further seven years (2013 - 2020). Gama’s long association with the Scottish Ambulance Service and NHS Scotland commenced in 1993 and this announcement means the company will continue to provide an integrated air ambulance service to the people of Scotland into the next decade. www.gamagroup.com
Emergency One (UK) Ltd and Clan Tools & Plant Ltd have announced the merger of both companies. Clan Tools & Plant Ltd will continue to operate as a stand-alone company as part of the Emergency One (UK) Ltd group. Clan Tools & Plant Ltd will relocate to Emergency One (UK) Limited’s new facility within the com-
ing months, while allowing for a smooth transition and minimal disruption to the day-to-day business. Both companies hope that this new partnership will allow development and growth within the UK fire and rescue service and industry market. www.emergencyone.co.uk
Emergency Services Times August 2012
Leading specialist PPE provider Lion Apparel Systems Ltd has appointed Natalie Turner-Wright as UK Business Development Manager. Natalie will be working closely with Lion’s UK customers to develop new and innovative PPE and corporate wear solutions that completely meet their needs and deliver long-term value. The company has recently been successful in winning a number of contracts to supply firefighter PPE in the UK and Middle East. This comes on the back of new laundry and maintenance contracts for its specialist care centres near Edinburgh and in Uxbridge. www.lioninternational.co.uk
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In brief . . . Becrypt, a leading supplier of cyber security solutions to the UK Government and wider public sector, has been selected by South West Fire and Rescue Services to provide a range of data encryption systems. Dorset, Wiltshire and Devon and Somerset fire and rescue services will all be rolling out the new systems, which include full disk encryption for IL 2 (PROTECT) and IL 3 (RESTRICT) level data, two factor authentication, removable media encryption and central management. Becrypt was selected because at the time it was the only solution to be approved under the CESG Product Assurance (CPA) scheme.
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Met Police invests in laser scanning technology
www.becrypt.com
Dorset Fire and Rescue Service is the first new organisation to be connected to the Government Secure Intranet Convergence Framework (GCF) since the GCF replaced the former Government Secure Intranet (GSi). The connection to the GCF will allow Dorset FRS to exchange information up to and including RESTRICTED level with central government, police, NHS and local authorities. www.dorsetfire.gov.uk
PageOne Communications has been awarded a PSN Services framework agreement by the Government Procurement Service. The PSN is the foundation of the Government’s IT strategy and aims to provide a single logical network and marketplace for public sector communications. This enables public service providers to operate, share and deliver information and services across traditional departmental and regional boundaries, in more cost-effective and innovative ways. PSN-compliant systems and services, including those provided by PageOne, are already in use in local and central government and produced confirmed savings of £64.2m in 2011/12. www.pageone.co.uk
North Yorkshire Police has entered into its third contract renewal with Sepura, marking a decade-long association between the two organisations and extending the practical application of TETRA. The new element of the force’s communication solution is the integration with Netcall mobility technology of their existing telephony and messaging services with Sepura TETRA radios; enabling maximum efficiencies in officer response to non-emergency incoming calls. www.sepura.com
Traffic congestion caused by collisions on London’s roads is set to be significantly reduced following the delivery of two additional laser scanners. Purchased by the Metropolitan Police, the RIEGL laser scanners will be used to rapidly collect vital evidence at the scene of collisions. Data collected by the scanners is used to produce high quality graphics and detailed plans of collision scenes for use in subsequent enquiries and court cases. The Metropolitan Police already have three laser scanners in regular use by collision investigators.
The Metropolitan Police was one of the first forces in the UK to adopt this technology and undertook extensive trials before purchasing the RIEGL laser scanners from 3D Laser Mapping. The RIEGL VZ-400 laser scanners purchased by the Metropolitan Police have been proven to provide a significantly greater level of detail and colour compared to other laser scanners and can be used during the day, even in low light conditions, and at night.
The Chief Executive of West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Anthony Marsh, has been appointed to the additional national role of Chairman of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE). Mr Marsh assumed his new responsibilities on 1 August 2012, replacing Peter Bradley CBE who is leaving the UK to commence a senior ambulance role in New Zealand. Peter Bradley said, “This is an excellent appointment for the AACE and for the ambulance service as a whole. Anthony is a strong leader who has played a significant role nationally over the past seven years, both with the chief executive lead role for leadership and communications and more recently, the lead role for emergency preparedness and national resilience.”
www.3dlasermapping.com www.riegl.com
Ambulance service Head of Resilience awarded EPS Fellowship Robert Flute, Head of Resilience at the East of England Ambulance Service, has become one of the select few ambulance service members to be awarded an Emergency Planning Society (EPS) Fellowship. The EPS introduced the award of Fellow to recognise those professionals who have contributed greatly to the world of resilience. Robert said, “I am extremely proud to have been made a Fellow of the society. I am also pleased that all of my team are associates or full members of the EPS, which can only enhance the standing of resilience as a profession. The EPS hopes to gain Royal charter and become an Institute within the next three years. Our members come from all areas of the resilience profession and as a society we work hard to ensure their voices are heard. We provide a forum through our extensive network of regional branches to share our experiences and disseminate good practice.”
New Chair of AACE appointed
Robert is also the first ambulance person in the UK to be elected Chair of a Local Resilience Forum (LRF) for the Norfolk Resilience Forum (NRF). He took over from the previous chair, the Assistant Chief Constable for Norfolk Police. Robert has a two-year chair term, running from 2012-2014 and he has already been invited to chair the Suffolk Resilience Forum from 2014.
Mr Marsh has successfully led West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust since 2006 and has consistently focused his efforts on improving patient care and developing staff within the Trust. Commenting on his appointment, Mr Marsh said, “I am delighted and privileged to take on this important national role. I am looking forward to continuing to progress the work and considerable achievements that Peter Bradley has been instrumental in taking forward during his time in this post. “The NHS and the ambulance sector is presented with a fantastic opportunity to make further improvements to the care that we already provide to patients. My role will be to work with the other ambulance CEOs, chairs and stakeholders to support this transformation. And finally, I would like to place on record my very many thanks for all the help and support Peter Bradley has provided to me over the years and I wish him well in his new role in New Zealand.”
www.eastamb.nhs.uk
www.wmas.nhs.uk
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Trend towards greater involvement of the private sector in policing will continue, says G4S With the role of the private sector in policing increasingly coming under the spotlight, the public could be forgiven for assuming the private sector has never had any involvement in policing until recently. In reality private sector involvement in policing is well established and has been one of the success stories in helping to improve efficiency and reduce costs. G4S has been working with police forces for more than 20 years. In that time, we have developed substantial expertise and shown the kind of improvements that can be achieved through the modernisation of policing structures; not only in terms of reduced costs, but also through allowing police officers to focus more effectively on tasks that better reflect with their high skills and warranted powers.
the widest ever outsourcing of administrative functions for any police force in the UK, all the services contracted are already being performed somewhere in the country by outsource providers. Lincolnshire Police is different in that with one Greater economies of scale provider, the force has benefited from greater As part of the drive to increase efficiencies within economies of scale, which will yield guaranteed the sector, G4S became Lincolnshire Police’s savings alongside a high level of performance strategic partner in the delivery of 18 administrative and oversight. and operational services in April 2012. While it is So far the results have been solid and performance encouraging. On 1 April 2012, 575 members of staff transferred to G4S without any disruption to services and with all Key Performance Indicators continuing to be met or exceeded. With the savings that have been made to date, the force has been able to recruit 23 new police officers and by April 2013, Lightweight. Compact. All Round Vision. Lincolnshire will have 97 Stable. Rapid Deployment. percent of warranted police officers in frontline For demonstration, product evaluation or further roles. Over 10 years, details please contact: Kevin Bradley 01773 768352. Lincolnshire Police is guaranteed to make at least £28m in savings and at the same time benefit from substantial investment in infrastructure with plans for a new £8m police station at an advanced stage.
Attention!!!
– Another New product from Aireshelta. SENTRY BOX.
www.aireshelta.co.uk Aireshelta Plc Station Yard, Station Road, Langley Mill Nottinghamshire NG16 4BQ
More officers on the frontline While we are delivering better value for money for Lincolnshire Police,
reducing the force’s costs by 14 percent, there is no hint of ‘policing on the cheap’. G4S has advantages around scale, knowledge and information technology that can deliver significant process savings, leading to greater efficiency in the back office so that more police officers are kept on the frontline. Our innovative ‘street to suite’ concept is a case in point – picking up arrested individuals from warranted officers and then transporting them back to custody suites and carrying out the booking in process. In a rural county like Lincolnshire, where the nearest police station can be some distance away, this kind of service has a huge impact on the availability of police officers to the public. Clearly the well-publicised issues with our contract to secure the Olympics in London have prompted some questions about our ability to deliver for police forces. These are unfounded. Our Policing Support Services division is entirely separate to our global events business and a dedicated team of more than 1000 staff has continued to deliver a high level of service to all of our clients, unimpaired by any of the issues with the Olympics.
“The well-publicised issues with our contract to secure the Olympics in London have prompted some questions about our ability to deliver for police forces. These are unfounded.” As more police authorities and forces are galvanised by the twin pressures of delivering public services more effectively and the need to meet the challenges of the current financial climate, the trend towards greater involvement of the private sector in policing will continue. We firmly believe that the kind of partnership we have in Lincolnshire gives police officers the best quality support and the resources to do what they do best: protecting the public. www.g4s.com/uk
Emergency Services Times August 2012
Author: John Shaw, Managing Director of Policing Support Services at G4S.
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TRAINING | 49
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CPD: understanding the fairy tale Once upon a time in the land of professional health care practitioners lived a very mean and scrupulous baron, who, every so often, would challenge the minions to demonstrate that they were capable and informed professionals. Those who were able to demonstrate that they had the necessary competencies were given magic beans to swap at market, however, those that could not demonstrate and be accountable for their own practice were sent to the dungeon to play with the dragon. However, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is not a fairy tale; it is a very real and necessary part of your job. Continuing Professional Development is not a management tool to hit key performance indicators or a governing body quirk to cause unnecessary suffering. It exists to assist professionals in becoming skilled and clued-up employees. CPD is an emerging field in pre-hospital care, succinctly described by the Health Professions Council (HPC, 2006) as, ‘A range of learning activities through which health professionals maintain and develop throughout their career to ensure that they retain their capacity to practice safely, effectively and legally within their evolving scope of practice.’ (P.6) Perhaps an easier way to conceptualise CPD is to think about a brick house, each building block representing a learning experience, which when combined with other learning experiences creates a whole. The secret to CPD is the ability to recognise and demonstrate how each of these blocks of knowledge creates a safe and effective professional, then to stand back and evaluate and reflect upon your work.
occurred was questionable. Lucky for Mary she had learnt on an organisational skills course that she greatly benefited from jotting little notes to herself. Unfortunately, Mary was also very messy and her notes appeared all over the flat she shared with four nurses. Mary was unable to identify what the notes meant, when they occurred and why she had written them. Mary was confused. Mary would have benefited further from one place where all her notes could be recorded and stored for easy access. Mary decided to get better at recording. Indeed Mary better had; the HPC (2006) states that registered health professionals must present a written profile containing evidence of their CPD on request. CPD is assessed against a specific criteria and Sibson (2008) suggests that each health professional should have a Professional Development Portfolio (PDP). Forde et al, (2009) describe such a portfolio as a ‘collection of material put together in a meaningful way to demonstrate the practice and learning of a practitioner’. Mary’s messy collection of notes would not meet this description.
crew were concerned about Jane. However, Jane was not day dreaming about world domination, tropical islands and days off, but was running through the last job she attended in her head. What could I have done differently? Thought Jane. What would have improved the outcome for this patient? She mused. What have I learnt from this experience? Deliberated Jane. How was I feeling during the job? Questioned Jane. What would I do next time? Queried Jane. Jane was reflecting on her abilities and skills. Jane was not crazy; Jane was practicing a crucial part of CPD that being Reflective Practice. The HPC (2010) cite that the lack of observable reflection in portfolios resulted in a significant figure of submitted portfolios being returned. The difficulty lies with the ability to document reflection, some of which the individual may feel are private to themselves. The HPC does not recommend any one model or template for reflective practice, however templates and models are available and can be used (see Gibbs (2008) and CPDme.com reflective diary).
Step one: recognition Step one of successful CPD is recognition. Let’s take an example. After reviewing John’s clinical performance report, John’s boss decides he is useless at cannulation. John’s boss is nasty to John and sends him on a cannulation refresher. John isn’t happy and decides he is going off sick. However, while on sick leave John cannot help but read up on cannulation techniques and orders a book from the internet. John’s boss isn’t happy that John has been off, however John is able to demonstrate on his return a competent based level applied to his cannulation skills. Despite John’s reluctance to accept his boss’s critique, John was able to recognise a gap in his knowledge that was affecting his performance. John excelled on the course. Clever John. Sibson (2008, p.74) states that CPD should be an activity ‘at the discretion of the individual and should be specific to their role and environment’. CPD is described as ‘…the profession’s response to the increasing sense of accountability demanded by today’s society’ (p. 74). Lawton and Wimpenny (2003) suggest that CPD is the need to ‘put one’s house in order’, indeed if you imagine CPD as the analogy described previously of a brick house, then you are the master of your own learning experience and builder of your own CPD.
Step three: reaction Step three of successful CPD is reaction. Let’s take an example. Peter came across a problem with a patient’s recently prescribed medication. Peter remembered a contraindication on a packet of simvastatin he had read while attending a previous job. Intrigued, Peter decided to look up simvastatin and its applications in the BNF (British National Formulary). Peter remembered that grapefruit was particularly dangerous with this drug. Peter wrestled the grapefruit (the patient’s favourite fruit) from their grasp and saved the day. Well done Peter. Peter was able to use his prior knowledge to react to an event and as such share his knowledge with the grapefruit-loving patient. Sibson (2008, p.75) recognises that the driving force behind any CPD is how ‘…the CPD Activity has contributed to your clinical/professional practice and has benefited the service user-the patient or carer’. Indeed Armitage (2011) recognises that ‘…there is a fundamental need for understanding in order to develop clinical skills and make informed clinical decisions based on underpinning knowledge and clinical reasoning’. Simplified to ‘use it or lose it’ and an understanding that CPD will enhance clinical skill and decision-making.
How can CPDme help? CPDme was formed in 2009 in order to prepare and assist employees from different professions to keep an online Continuing Professional Development (CPD) log, and to create and expand their personal portfolios in order to help meet the standards set by their governing body, as well as help prepare them for interviews, reviews, and for all future engagements within their developing professions, and for staff new to higher education. The aim of CPDme is to provide an affordable easy to use service that can be accessed 24/7 on your home or work computer, laptop, iPad and smart phone. CPDme is here to complement the services already provided to you by your own professional bodies and employers. It is independent of the National Health Service, governing and professional bodies although we respect the standards set by these distinguished organisations and welcome a professional working relationship. Our members enjoy access to an Online Portfolio Builder; Reflective/Critical Practice Templates; Online CPD Diary to record your activity; ability to upload and store securely certificates, Powerpoints and testimonials; access to upcoming CPD courses and events; access to CPD guide videos and 24/7 email assistance from health and social care professionals.
Step two: recording Step two of successful CPD is recording. Let’s take an example. Mary was an excellent paramedic, however her ability to recall events five minutes after they had
Step four: reflection Step four of successful CPD is reflection. Let’s take an example. Jane was seen as a ‘hippy type’, often seen daydreaming and mumbling to herself. The other
www.CPDme.com
The references used by this author are available on request.
Emergency Services Times August 2012
Author: Andrew Ormerod, CPDme Development & Education Team
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Research extends effectiveness of High Volume Pumps The Gleision Colliery mining disaster in Pontardawe, Wales, in September 2011, resulted in the death of four miners who were trapped underground following an explosion that flooded the tunnel in which they were working. The disaster prompted discussions regarding the feasibility of extending hydraulic power hoses between a High Volume Pump (HVP) hydrosub and a submersible pump to provide a valuable enhancement to the effectiveness of HVPs at incidents where exceptional operational circumstances may be involved. Conversations took place between Subtle refinements Hytrans Systems BV, Babcock required International and the National The refinements identified by Resilience HVP Capability Hytrans offered a validated, regarding such extensions and the standard operating procedure, issues and risks involved. A which would allow for the decision was made to instigate extension of the hydraulic hose phased research and development lines to 80m without affecting the work to scope out parameters for operational or hydraulic extending the hydraulic hose lines performance of the hydrosub and and also to identify situations submersible pump. Following an where the extensions would incident on the Central Line of be required. the London Underground at Old Examples of such exceptional Ford, London Fire Brigade operational circumstances (LFB) identified a need for their include: deep lift access to HVPs to be modified from 60m flooding scenarios in excess of to 80m to reduce the risk 60m vertically, eg underground identified at tube interventions mass passenger transportation throughout London. systems; deep penetration Interoperability between The process of hydraulic hose removal and re-attachment did not adversely affect the pump performance or the conditions scenarios in excess of 60m where Hytrans Systems, Babcock within the hydraulic system. access to the scene of operations International, London Fire Two prescribed exercises for a water system/pump insertion point for Brigade and the National Resilience Assurance During 2012 the National Resilience HVP standard equipment is severely compromised, eg Team ensured a robust process was instigated to drift mines; and deep lift scenarios in excess of 60m Capability orchestrated two prescribed exercises to uplift LFB HVPs with the new hose extensions and extend the hydraulic reels of a modified HVP for the provision of water for an overland water to create and formalise the risk information and hydrosub in controlled conditions. On each system for vulnerable industrial sites, refineries in standard operating procedures aligned to the occasion Babcock representatives and engineers or near docks or flooded quarries. hydraulic hose extensions. The first uplift was were in attendance to carry out the disconnection of carried out through a joint operation between the hydraulic couplings from the submersible and Hytrans and Babcock in July and successfully consequent re-attachment of the additional tested at the Babcock facility in Leicester, followed pressure and return hydraulic hose. by a practical application at a venue hosted by Outcomes from the ‘proving’ exercises indicated Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Subsequent that the process of hydraulic hose removal and reuplifts of LFB HVPs were completed on 10 August, attachment was quick and effective and did not to ensure all LFB modules have the capability to adversely affect the pump performance or the extend to 80m if required. conditions within the hydraulic system.
“The process of hydraulic hose removal and re-attachment did not adversely affect the pump performance.”
The National Resilience HVP Capability orchestrated two prescribed exercises to extend the hydraulic reels of a modified HVP hydrosub in controlled conditions.
To validate the extension theory the HVP Capability Team and members of the HVP SMA cadre organised a visit to HVP manufacturer Hytrans Systems BV in Lemmer, Holland where a two-day workshop was held to identify any engineering issues. During the workshop, engineers from Hytrans identified the possibility of a slight leak of hydraulic fluid through a carbon seal if the hydraulic hose extensions were added without two subtle refinements of the hydraulic system within the hydrosub.
Members of the HVP SMA visited HVP manufacturer Hytrans Systems BV in Lemmer, Holland.
In addition to the LFB upgrades, the NR HVP Capability has instigated a consultation process within England and Wales to identify areas of risk, which could require the use of an HVP with extended hydraulic hose. www.cfoa.org.uk
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Preferred Supplier of Casualty Simulation for NARU
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NARU aims to turn policy into sustainable resilience The National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU) was established in summer 2011 and works with all NHS ambulance trusts in England (and those in the Devolved Administrations) to help strengthen national resilience and improve patient outcomes in a variety of challenging pre-hospital environments. The unit works with ambulance trusts to support the development of properly trained, equipped and prepared ambulance responders to deal with hazardous or difficult situations, particularly mass casualty incidents that represent a significant risk to public health. Aside from providing strategic input to Government policy on ambulance resilience issues, NARU, working with the Department of Health, assists with the effective national coordination and implementation of the pre-hospital health response to government policies that are designed to improve civil contingencies and national resilience across England. A national approach Working in partnership with NHS ambulance services, NARU’s aims are to ensure the effective and efficient coordination of the implementation of government policies related to national resilience and to enhance pre-hospital clinical response capabilities that are evidence-based, to current and emerging threats and risks, thereby delivering fitfor-purpose patient outcomes to disruptive challenges or threats to public health. Through central coordination, NARU enables NHS ambulance trusts to work together to provide a safe and reliable response to major, complex and potentially protracted incidents. Consistency in implementation of core deliverables is essential if ambulance trusts across the country are to remain prepared and resilient to deliver an effective national response capability at all times.
NARU key capabilities Key NARU work areas include: • Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART) • Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear or Explosives (CBRNE) and Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) • Response to Extreme Threats and High Risks – as identified by the National Risk Assessment and as requested by the Department of Health and NHS Operations • Mass Casualty / Complex Major Incidents • Security of ambulance assets and the protection of critical infrastructure to support continuity of resilience • Emergency Preparedness in general. Mike Shanahan, the former Head of Resilience and Special Operations at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, has been seconded to the post of Deputy Strategic Ambulance Advisor at the Department of Health, working as part of the National Ambulance Resilience Unit delivery team.
caused deliberately (for example by terrorist or other malicious activity) or by accident or natural disaster. In addition, much of the day-to-day work of NARU involves the provision of formal and ad hoc ambulance representation and advice to the DH, NHS Operations and cross-government programmes and within various multi-agency working groups. In the event of a major or catastrophic incident, NARU personnel support the Department of Health in incident management, as well as supporting ambulance services where required.
NARU deliverables Within each of these work areas (on behalf of and in conjunction with NHS ambulance services) NARU coordinates key deliverables as follows: • Policy requirements: contributing subject matter expertise to policy development – translating policy requirements into what is needed for policy delivery • Clinical response capabilities: advising on the development of appropriate and feasible prehospital clinical response capabilities – with the aim of improving patient outcomes • Service specifications: detailing what is expected of NHS ambulance trusts in terms of deliverables and commissioning requirements to fulfill the commitment to policy delivery
NARU personnel NARU comprises a team of highly experienced and committed healthcare and management professionals who between them have many years of invaluable strategic and operational experience of ambulance services and emergency services planning. This team works through a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between its commissioner (the Department of Health’s Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response Unit) and its host trust and SLA manager, West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust. NARU work activities NARU’s activities encompass cross-government policy developments, specifically the business objectives of the Department of Health and NHS Operations. This is in respect of the implementation of systems and capabilities associated with pre-hospital care of patients in the event of major or catastrophic incidents, whether
Key NARU work areas include Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART).
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Based at police and military training installations, the centre has been responsible for training hundreds of ambulance personnel to respond to a range of urban search and rescue, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents throughout the UK. Its activities cover: • Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) Incident Response (IRU) Unit training • HART Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) training • HART continuity training and coordination of specific modules such as personal protective equipment (PPE) training • Command education – both ambulance and multi-agency • Specific table top exercise writing and facilitation • Specific live exercise planning • Evaluation of educational modules • Research-based development of future modules • Logistical support in terms of facilitating stockpiles and issue of PPE and associated equipment • International liaison with training.
• Inter- and intra-operability: where appropriate, work closely with the health economy, other emergency service and specialist response agencies in the development of Joint Operating Procedures (JOPS), tactics and doctrine, multiagency training/exercising and standardisation of equipment common to all parties – to build robust working relationships and understanding of all response capabilities and ensure effective response and communications in the event of major disruptive incidents • Guidance for ambulance trusts: clarifying the scope and resourcing arrangements of how deliverables are to be met, including generic operating procedures and risk assessments to be built on by ambulance trusts and avoiding duplication of effort or variation in delivery • National training and exercising: developing or sourcing effective training that supports delivery, so that training of ambulance personnel at all levels, in respect of resilience and emergency preparedness, consistently meets a minimum national standard and is recognised by partner agencies. Organising and ensuring ambulance participation in national exercises designed to test procedures and capabilities • Operational requirements: identifying key resources needed to support delivery in respect of personal protective equipment, clinical and non-clinical equipment and other specialist assets – establishing methods of effective evaluation and risk assessment to support central procurement processes or frameworks that ensure value for money, as well as building on appropriate technological advancements • Evaluation, assurance and audit processes: developing and undertaking independent, objective, evidence-based evaluation and assurance processes through which the necessary evidence will be collected and monitored to assess compliance with service specifications, evaluate value and impact of service provision, determine levels of resilience and preparedness, as well as providing assurance to DH and NHS Operations.
NARU enables NHS ambulance trusts to work together to provide a safe and reliable response to major, complex and potentially protracted incidents. The NARU Training Centre The NARU Training Centre is a national ambulance training facility that helps protect ambulance staff and trains them to save lives in the most difficult of circumstances.
International links NARU’s expertise in delivering highly trained and expertly equipped ambulance personnel – as well as its general policy input to national resilience planning – has become much sought after around the globe. International links are particularly welcomed by NARU because they are an excellent opportunity to benchmark training development and delivery against international standards, which ultimately improves the NHS ambulance response to major incidents. So far, strong and positive working links have been created between NARU and the USA, India, Holland, Israel, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The NARU international relations programme has led to the development of an exchange programme between the US Department of Homeland Security (which has a similar remit to the NARU Training Faculty) and NARU. www.naru.org.uk
NARU enables NHS ambulance trusts to work together to provide a safe and reliable response to major, complex and potentially protracted incidents.
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Learning German – lessons our European colleagues can teach us about enforcing drug driving laws Drug driving has long been allowed to behave like the less scolded younger brother of drink driving – careering around, causing arguably just as much trouble and facing nowhere near as many consequences. Drug driving is now the subject of a bill to UK Parliament, the Government’s Crime and Courts Bill, which could see those who drive under the influence of controlled drugs facing similar punishments to those who drive over the legal blood concentration alcohol limit. As the bill approaches committee stage, what will it mean for police in the UK and what lessons can we learn from traffic police officers in Germany? Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Mike Penning MP, has publically stated his desire for all police traffic patrols to carry drug testing technology so they can test drivers behaving suspiciously for drink and drugs at the roadside. If passed, the Crime and Courts Bill will see an offence of driving under the influence of drugs carry a maximum penalty of six months in prison, a fine of up to £5000 and an automatic, 12-month driving ban.
German police forces use both random testing and roadblocks to screen drivers, always using oral fluid tests at the roadside. Any driver who tests positive is then required to provide a blood sample, which, if also positive, will be used as evidence in court.
“Roadside saliva testing provides precise, reliable evidence.” So what does this mean for our police forces, managers of fleets and us as employees and individuals? Specific conditions of the bill are continuing to emerge as it progresses through parliament. Here at Draeger Safety UK Ltd, we know how similar legislation works in practice as our colleagues in Germany supply many of the German police forces. New approach German legislation states that it is an offence to drive under the influence of drugs, and one that can carry a short to medium-term driving ban and, where serious bodily injuries occur, a period of imprisonment. Currently in the UK, impairment has to be proven for a drug driving conviction, but the new approach would mirror Germany’s if the bill were passed.
Roadside drug testing already takes place in Germany.
The Dräger DrugTest® 5000.
A small drop of saliva – 0.28 millilitres to be precise – is all the Dräger DrugTest® 5000, a diagnostic machine used by German police forces, needs to screen. With this it can identify most known illegal drugs such as amphetamines, opioids, cocaine, cannabis and drugs in the ecstasy group, as well as unknown ones, as it recognises ‘family resemblances’ in substances. Saliva testing is an effective method that compares well to more traditionally considered conclusive blood tests, as over 95 percent of saliva has entered the mouth via blood vessels. They have the added bonus of being far easier to carry out at the roadside and also negate the need for blood or urine tests, making screening a much more pleasant process for everyone involved, particularly police officers. Roadside saliva testing is extremely quick. The whole process, which includes a slightly more complex test for cannabis, can be completed in just over eight minutes and provides precise, reliable evidence.
Hans-Jürgen Maurer, a senior police officer and commissioner for drug recognition in the Saarland Prevention Institute, who has been involved in international research projects on the subject, uses the Dräger DrugTest® 5000 in his native Germany. He said, “Police officers want a device that will provide a reliable preliminary test for drugs – one that’s also as fast and easy to use as the breathalyser. We think it’s especially important that a high probability of recognition is achieved through the unit’s precise analysis. “It’s also crucial that the statistical methods used don’t deliver too many ‘false negatives’ – in other words, cautious results that do not register drug use even though it has occurred. In my opinion the Dräger DrugTest® 5000 achieves all of these objectives and it’s clear that Dräger’s development could form the basis for future standards.” Since the introduction of the ‘zero tolerance’ per se law in Germany in 1998, which removed the burden of ‘proving impairment’ for German police, the number of accidents attributed to drivers under the influence of drugs has increased dramatically. This could, in part, be due to the better detection tools available, such as the Dräger DrugTest® 5000, as well as a more general rise in public awareness. Decrease in traffic accidents Since 2006, drug-related accidents on German roads average out at around 1300 per year. That said, the good news is that, overall, the total number of traffic accidents in Germany has decreased since the introduction of the law and accompanying roadside screening tests. It is likely that we will see a similar picture materialising in England, Wales and Scotland if we start roadside testing. A recent RAC report showed that 10 percent of 17-24 year-olds had taken drugs before getting behind the wheel and a study by the Transport Research Laboratory in April 2012 showed that drugs were a key factor in nearly a quarter of fatal road accidents. Much of the research we see at Draeger Safety UK Ltd suggests that there are likely to be as many drug drivers on the roads as drink drivers. With approximately 100,000 people convicted of drink driving every year and approximately 1000 drug drivers, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that we are likely to see a significant increase in the
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PRODUCT INFORMATION | 57
number of drug drivers convicted. Diagnostic equipment should also help to progress these convictions as it removes the need for doctors to test drivers back at the station, which obviously adds more time and can even lead to drug levels in the suspect’s system dropping considerably in the mean time. We hope this development will lead to similar positive results to those experienced in Germany and help with the European Union’s aim to reduce traffic fatalities by half by 2020. Implications for everyone Although UK traffic officers will be Roadside drug testing could mirror alcohol checks. the frontline when it comes to implementing such huge changes, the Crime and Courts Bill has implications for all of to the rest of the population – the Home Office’s us, and particularly those who manage fleets of 2011/12 Crime Survey for England and Wales vehicles. states that an estimated 8.9 percent of adults have Like any other business, a police fleet is used an illicit drug in the last year, compared to 0.2 considered to be a place of work, so police fleet percent of police officers, according to a similar managers must ensure the health and safety of report by an industry magazine – and we know this employees even when driving, as well as ensuring is not an anticipated problem. others are not put at risk by their employees’ workHowever, just one publicised indiscretion could related driving activities. have catastrophic effects for an organisation tasked A raft of legislation already exists to ensure that with enforcing the rules in the first place, making employers have a duty of care towards employees. the job far more difficult for officers on the roads. Employers need to take the health and safety of It is imperative that police forces remain ‘whiter employees very seriously and effectively manage than white’ as the consequences of failing to do so risks to keep staff protected wherever possible. could be costly from a financial, legal and The number of police officers actually testing reputation management point of view. positive for drugs is extremely small in comparison Although the Crime and Courts Bill is still in the early stages of being passed, it is here to stay. It will
be discussed by committee at the House of Lords next month and is something the Government, and particularly the Prime Minister, is especially passionate about. David Cameron recently met the family of Lillian Groves, a 14-year-old school girl who was knocked down and killed by a driver who later tested positive for cannabis and served just weeks of an eight-month custodial sentence. Draeger Safety UK Ltd recently met Lillian’s family while they were demonstrating our Dräger DrugTest® 5000 to senior police officers. The Groves were impressed with the analyser unit and technology and hope to see equipment of this kind in police cars within a year of it being approved. The Groves family is campaigning for legal changes with a tremendous amount of support. Lillian’s Law, as the bill is widely referred to, has huge public backing and is being pushed for by parents, road safety groups and the mass media. It is imperative that we start to think about the effects of the bill now, so we can work together to ensure no more families have to face the terrible loss and pain that Lillian’s have. www.draeger.com
Emergency Services Times August 2012
Author: Steve Wilkinson, law enforcement specialist at Draeger Safety UK Ltd and a former traffic police officer.
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Cardiac arrest in progress: CPR time – 10 minutes. How’s your CPR? Cardiac Science introduces the first automated external defibrillator that combines real-time CPR feedback, fast shock times, and escalating energy. Emergency responders are familiar with the statistics: sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) strikes as many as 700,000 Europeans annually.1 Victims have less than a six percent chance of survival unless treated within minutes with a defibrillator.2 Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) have become a common life-saving solution to these time-critical emergencies. With rescue organisations challenged to maintain fast response times on leaner budgets, the new Powerheart® G5 AED from Cardiac Science provides a practical solution without compromise. Steve Jelfs, Clinical Manager at Cardiac Science and a former paramedic, says, “The G5 is the first AED to combine variable escalating energy and fast shock times to give a victim of SCA the best chance at a favourable outcome.” The G5 analyses the patient’s impedance level and automatically customises the energy level to meet that patient’s needs. If additional shocks are needed, the G5 escalates the energy to deliver a shock at a higher, customised energy level. The Powerheart G5 is the first AED that can deliver a higher energy, postCPR shock in less than 10 seconds. Helps you perform CPR according to ERC Guidelines The European Resuscitation Council’s 2010 Guidelines emphasise the importance of providing ‘high-quality chest compressions’ to victims of cardiac arrest. The Powerheart G5 delivers realtime CPR feedback to help the rescuer adjust the compression rate and depth to perform in accordance with these standards. If the CPR Guidelines change in the future, you can easily adjust the Powerheart G5’s CPR feedback protocols to stay up-to-date. After the rescue, responders can easily transfer data via USB for documentation and review. This enables supervisors to follow the Resuscitation Council’s recommendation to review rescue data to continuously improve CPR performance during training sessions.
them perform every step of a rescue with confidence, including: • RescueCoach™ user-paced prompts that coach the responder through the rescue • The pads that are not sidespecific, so they are easy to place on the victim • A fully automatic model that determines if a shock is necessary, and delivers it without the user having to push a button • Real-time CPR feedback that helps rescuers achieve the appropriate rate and depth of chest compressions. Military-grade durability and comprehensive self-tests The Powerheart G5 is tested to military standards and has a high IP55 rating for protection from dust and water. This makes it particularly appealing for coastguard applications and use in other harsh, challenging environments. Patented Rescue Ready® technology performs daily, weekly, and monthly tests on the AED’s battery, circuitry, software, and pads. The highly visible Rescue Ready indicator confirms the AED is ready to perform a rescue when needed.
“Now, any rescuer can deliver customised energy with fast shock times and perform CPR according to the latest guidelines.” Highly customisable for all rescuers Steve Jelfs says, “The Powerheart G5 is both easy to deploy and highly customisable, so it’s ready for use by responders at any level of training and experience.” AED programme managers can easily customise the Powerheart G5’s prompts, shock protocols and CPR feedback to match users’ skills and preferences. Less experienced AED users will appreciate the Powerheart G5’s features and options that help
Every second counts According to Steve Jelfs, the new Powerheart G5 was designed with a deep understanding of the human component in a typically stressful rescue situation. “Whether you’re very experienced or you’re using an AED for the first time, the Powerheart G5 enables you to provide advanced defibrillation therapy as rapidly and confidently as possible,” says Steve. “Now, any rescuer can deliver customised energy with fast shock times and perform CPR according to the latest guidelines. With this powerful combination, the new Powerheart G5 AED can make the difference between life and death.” The Powerheart G5 is available for sale in the United Kingdom. Please check for availability in other countries. www.cardiacscience.com 1 European Resuscitation Council Guidelines for Resuscitation 2010, pg 1278. 2 American Heart Association 2010 Guidelines for CPR and ECC, pg S641.
Emergency Services Times August 2012
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DuPont launches second-generation Tyvek coverall Whether working in a vehicle body shop with harmful sprays, moving hazardous materials or preserving evidence at a scene of crime, workers need an expert garment to keep them protected from a variety of contaminants and particulates. After 18 years of successfully protecting people and processes with Tyvek® Classic, DuPont has developed the second-generation coverall, Tyvek® Classic Xpert, to provide superior level of protection and comfort in the Type 5/6 category. The new design and construction holds out 99.2 percent of dust1 and three times more liquid2 than its predecessor. It is lightweight and durable, and it incorporates innovative design features that ensure an exceptional level of wearer and process protection. And yet it has been launched at the same price as Tyvek® Classic, so that workers can be protected with enhanced coveralls that remain economically viable for businesses. Improved liquid protection Tyvek® Classic Xpert offers the wearer superior liquid protection due to its new patent-pending seam technology. DuPont has redefined protection in every detail and, as a result, Tyvek® Classic Xpert passes the new stringent Type 6 test method (EN ISO 17491-4 Method A: 2008). The garment
also demonstrates greater protection when tested according to the more stringent whole suit Type 4 spray test (EN ISO 17491-4 method B). It displays in fact significantly less liquid leakage than conventional stitched seams, increasing the peace of mind of the wearer. Moreover, the new Tyvek® Classic Xpert fabric is certified as offering protection against infective agents (EN 14126), as well as against chemical permeation by some waterbased low chemicals. Extra particulate protection DuPont™ Tyvek® is a non-woven material that is made up of ultra-fine continuous fibres of highdensity polyethylene and offers exceptional strength
and flexibility. Moreover, Tyvek® Classic Xpert provides six times more particulate protection than Tyvek® Classic, and 10 times more particulate protection than Microporous films1. It sets a new standard in particulate protection, with only 0.8% whole suit inward leakage compared to 5.0% with Tyvek® Classic and to 8.0% with a typical Microporous film. The new coverall also reaches Class 2 for nuclear particulate protection3. Tyvek® Classic Xpert features a complete redesign, providing increased protection to the wearer. This includes a newly designed hood that perfectly fits the contours of the face and neck, reducing exposure risk, and a longer sleeve design that ensures a perfect fit, even when arms are extended above the head. As often noticed by users in wear trials, the new design of the garments is extremely ergonomic, leaving greater freedom of movement. www.dpp-europe.com/TyvekClassicXpert 1
Based on the Total Inward Leakage for one activity (TILE) data according to EN ISO 13982-2 on suits taped at mask, ankles, cuffs and flap. 2 Based on low-level spray test data according to EN ISO 17491-4 Method A. 3 Based on the inward leakage during exercise of all activities (1/TILA) according to EN 1073-2.
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Life saving device
A new life saving device has been launched to reduce the number of deaths by drowning. Every year over 1.2 million people around the world die from drowning*, a figure Balcan Engineering is aiming to cut with the launch of the BELL 25. On first glance the BELL 25 resembles a yellowcoloured grenade, but once the cap is taken off and the grip of the enclosed throw line is removed, it becomes a highly effective life saving device. Users simply hold onto the grip and throw the BELL 25 to the person they are trying to save. As the BELL 25 flies through the air, 25m of high-strength polypropylene line within it is released. With the BELL 25 in reach, all the stranded person has to do is hold onto it as the thrower then pulls in the rope, which is strong enough to support 260lbs (118kg). The BELL 25 is the latest product to be added to the BELL range by Balcan Engineering, which introduced the first BELL nearly 40 years ago, in 1973. As well as the BELL 25, the company’s range also features the BELL Pro (40m) and the BELL RP, which can be repacked for future use. www.throwlines.com
*According to the International Lifesaving Federation, 2012
LED torch
Launched into the UK market this Autumn/Winter, the COAST™ HP7 TAC focusable LED torch, available exclusively from BBB Investments Ltd, features Fingertip Speed Focus™ for rapid adjustment from spot-to flood beam and Beam Lock™ for locking the beam in the ideal position, both of which can be done in a onehanded motion while still holding and pointing the torch. The torch has an impressive light output of 251 lumens
for the most demanding of tasks, combined with long run-times, beam distances and runs from four AAA batteries. The HP7’s patented Pure Beam™ Focusing Optic System produces pure, white beams without any shadowing or imperfections. This feature is designed to produce longdistance beams when in Spot mode with a bright core and a wide peripheral halo, resulting in more light area and visibility. In addition, this series of torches are all ‘jet black inside and out’, with even the inner optic blackened for maximum security, plus an added Strobe mode on all models. BBB Investments Ltd is adding the COAST™ range of torches to its existing NEXTORCH™ and myTorch™ ranges, plus all ‘COAST’ products are backed by an extensive five-year warranty. www.bbb.gb.com
PRODUCT INFORMATION | 61 Niton constantly improves its product lines so that you can reap the benefits. Thanks to input from its customers Niton is able to focus its full attention on further developing the Niton Tactical range. By making this shift back to its founding values the company can concentrate on the needs of UK officers, while continuing to provide the highest quality products and outstanding value.
www.rescue-tools.co.uk
DNA Tracker security system
www.niton999.co.uk Niton is actively seeking suitably qualified, likeminded UK distributors who want to be part of this exciting drive to bring back British design for the British law enforcement and security markets. For further information on becoming a stockist and Niton’s great trade discounts please contact the company’s wholesale team at Bluelight Direct Ltd at: sales@bluelightdirect.co.uk.
Vimpex to the rescue
Niton Tactical brochure
Niton Equipment’s 40-page Niton Tactical brochure for Autumn/Winter 2012 is the first brochure ever produced exclusively featuring Niton Tactical products. The business was founded on the design and production of items made specifically for the unique requirements of law enforcement and security in the UK. It is this foundation that still underpins everything Niton Equipment seeks to do. Some of the innovations coming from law enforcement suppliers around the world have been exceptional, but many fail to understand the particular needs of the UK officer, and your unique roles and methods of working. Niton takes time to listen to its customers’ recommendations for improving current products, and for developing new ones. Who better to listen to than you, the people on the front line of the UK’s ever-changing law enforcement and security industry? Your advice on product requirements and modifications ensures
Service and many other brigades around the world have chosen the BC-300.
Vimpex’s Martin Jones put an Ogura BC-300 Combi-Tool to good use during an incident on the M1 motorway on 28 July 2012. Caught in a tailback caused by a 7.5-tonne truck turning over during the rush hour, Martin soon realised that in the absence of the emergency services, members of the public were unsuccessfully trying to allow access to the drivers cab by using a crow bar. A doctor who happened to be passing was keen to gain access to the cab to ensure that the casualty was not in need of any urgent medical intervention. When it appeared obvious that the emergency services were some time away from appearing on the scene, Martin volunteered his services by using his Ogura BC-300 batterypowered Combi-Tool to quickly gain access to the lorry cab, thereby allowing the doctor to assess his patient. Thankfully the driver seemed to have sustained very few injuries although was understandably suffering from shock. In an interesting coincidence, the Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, who arrived on the scene a few minutes after Martin’s intervention, were carrying their own Ogura Combi-Tool, which is one of three in service on the service’s fast response vehicle. This incident demonstrates that the Ogura CombiTool is truly lightweight, portable and quick to deploy – reasons why Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue
Emergency Services Times August 2012
DNA Tracker was successfully launched at the Farnborough Air Show earlier this Summer.
DNA Tracker is an intelligent security and surveillance system designed to protect airports, high-volume passenger terminals and other recognised locations of high risk. Utilising geofencing and other sophisticated technologies, DNA Tracker finds, identifies and tracks the movements of mobile devices that enter the ring-fenced zone in real time. Developed for high-level security and policing, the system is built to meet the precise requirements of the client or project for any given scenario. The system securely monitors mobile phone, laptop and tablet signals within a building’s interior, perimeter and defined open areas to look for unusual patterns of activity or to alert when certain individuals enter the monitored zone. Providing current intelligence on crowd numbers and movement at major sporting events, demonstrations, riots and other large public gatherings, authorities can react instantaneously as patterns emerge and the situation on the ground develops. www.DNA-Tracker.co.uk
Powered patient chair
The new EZ Glide® PowerTraxx™ chair from Ferno is designed to safely move patients up and down stairs at the touch of a button. The operator has full control at all times; able to
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62 | PRODUCT INFORMATION slow, stop or even reverse direction at the touch of a button. A patented built-in safety circuit limits downhill speed, even when power has been lost. The wireless motor controls work in any handle position and each chair comes with a rechargeable removable lithium ion battery, which takes only one hour to charge, and which during tests completed 20 flights of stairs with some battery-life remaining. The chair’s 227kg weight capacity and large seating area, along with the extending footrest, provides a more comfortable experience for larger patients while the innovative features work with the caregivers to ensure a safer transport for all. The chair can also be employed to move equipment up and down stairs and a range of accessories are available such as padded headrest and oxygen cylinder holder. For those who already own the original Ferno EZ Glide® a retro-fit kit is available.
centres, motorway tolls, etc), LEADER Stop is useful in many circumstances and is also adaptable for extinguishing fires of motorcycles, metallic containers and industrial machines.
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Hardcase backpack system
www.leader-group.eu
Compact life jacket
www.hpa.org.uk
The RucPac Backpack Conversion Strap System for Peli/Pelican and similar hardcases, offers users the security of a hardcase with the convenience of a backpack. RucPac features include: converts a wheeled hardcase into a backpack; Peli™/Pelican™ case compatible; generously-sized, padded shoulder area and straps, where the weight is distributed, offer comfort and durability; allows immediate access into the case while still attached; and quickly attachable/removable and can be stored inside the case. The RucPac can also be found in many online and in-store retailers.
www.ferno.co.uk
Extra large fire blanket
www.rucpac.com
Fast and easy to deploy by two people on an incipient car fire, the LEADER Stop extra large fire blanket: isolates the burning vehicle; prevents it burning up entirely; prevents the spread of fire to other vehicles or nearby infrastructures; strongly reduces the release of toxic and opaque fumes, which can create bigger accidents in particular on motorways; and facilitates the intervention of the firefighters, the only ones authorised to secure the incident site. Placed near zones with strong concentration of vehicles (underground car parks, car ferries, shopping
ration with Defra, Fera and the Government Decontamination Service (GDS), is a user-friendly guide for recovery coordination groups and other recovery stakeholders, to aid development and implementation of recovery strategy in the aftermath of a chemical incident. This is the first version of the chemical handbook, which has been developed as part of a participatory process and stakeholder engagement programme, with interest and support from national and international partners. It will be updated as required to reflect changing UK capability. The GDS team’s contribution to the handbook was its unique position and understanding of open and built environment remediation following chemical, biological and radiological incidents.
Mullion has announced the launch of its new 3MV1 Compact 150 Automatic Life Jacket, a single chamber lifejacket, certified to ISO12402, built with a very heavy-duty cover and very compact dimensions. The life jacket features a Readiness indicator and Service Date Information windows on the back and is supplied with a crutch strap and marine whistle. Because of its compact dimensions it sits very high on the chest, which keeps it out of the way for ‘over the side’ working. Its dimensions make it a very comfortable product to wear. For heavy duty or dirty working conditions Mullion has also developed the 3MV7 version with a wipe clean PVC front cover. A further version, which incorporates the Seamarshall AU9WF man overboard beacon is also developed and approved. The life jacket is available in red, navy and green along with a red/orange PVC-covered version. ww.mullion.be
Chemical incident handbook
The Health Protection Agency has published a handbook, which provides guidance in managing the recovery phase of chemical incidents where contamination has affected food production systems, inhabited areas or water environments. The handbook, which has been produced in collabo-
Emergency Services Times August 2012
Memory kneepads
After four years of research and development, a completely new, nonfoam based safety kneepad, which ‘memorises’ its original form without reducing its cushioning effect from consecutive or prolonged use, is now available. Called Redbacks because of the construction resembling the markings of an Australian redback spider, the kneepads feature a red-coloured, soft and flexible TPE (Thermo Plastic Elastomer) leaf spring set within a unique honeycomb matrix. In addition to the memory comfort factor, these distribute body weight evenly, elevating the knees to reduce pressure on knee, leg, ankle and foot joints while minimising the risk of possible injury from sharp or penetrating objects to a resistance force of 100N as specified by SATRA Type 2, Level 1, and defined by European Standard EN14404:2004 + A1:2010. Light, flexible and easy to fit tightly and comfortably into most knee-pocketed work trousers, the breathable, ‘nonslip’ pads with their abrasive-resistant covers allow wearers to keep cool and dry in hot or damp conditions and protect the knees from cold surfaces. Redbacks are designed in the UK and manufactured in the EU by CL-7 Limited, based in Daventry, Northamptonshire. www.redbackskneepads.co.uk
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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.
• Compact commercial grade throughout. • Self contained fully automatic. • 24v and 12v models available. • Makes up to 9 mugs per filling. WHISPAIRE LTD Email: info@whispaire.co.uk Web: www.whispaire.co.uk T: + 44 (0)1794 523999 F: + 44 (0)1794 519151
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Emergency Services Times August 2012
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Optimised evacuation strategies during transport emergencies: The SAVE ME Project SAVE ME is a three-year (2009-2012) European Commission funded project coordinated by the Transport Operations Research Group at Newcastle University. The project set out to develop a greater understanding of the role intelligent sensor-based systems could play in mitigating the impacts of a transport emergency event. By detecting the location of a disaster event in public transport terminals and critical infrastructures (ie tunnels and bridges) and determining the relative position of travellers, SAVE ME can provide quick and optimal mass evacuation guidance to help save the lives of the general public as well as optimise rescue strategies for emergency services personnel. It is has been acknowledged that the self-evacuation of individuals that can do so, in a safe and efficient manner, can often be the best way of minimising the impacts of an emergency event.
“The project has demonstrated that the technology developed in SAVE ME does have real potential in helping travellers evacuate during an emergency event.” However, as illustrated in a previous article in the April 2012 edition of EST (Vector Command, p16), emergency events generate a significant amount of data, which has to be managed and processed in a variety of ways, typically in real-time amidst the surrounding chaos and confusion. SAVE ME has developed a number of individual modules, which work in combination to help process these various data streams and provide personalised output information, as illustrated in Figure 1 (above). Working from left to right, the first segment of the SAVE ME system comprises wireless localisation and environmental sensors, which act as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the system to determine if and where an event has occurred and identify where travellers are located. These sensors are designed to be low-cost devices, which form ad-hoc wireless sensor networks (WSNs) to maximise their communicative resilience during an emergency event, ensuring continued data flows should one sensor be damaged or even destroyed. Holistic overview The middle segment of the SAVE ME system forms the ‘brains’ of the whole operation, combining simulation algorithms and visualisation
Figure 1: personalised output information from various data streams.
tools with a Decision Support System (DSS). The DSS is a multi-functional module within the system’s core synthesising different information input streams and running real-time simulations to give operators a holistic overview of the situation as well as key planning and strategic decision support tools to determine optimal actions to be taken. The DSS also gives evacuation teams a guidance tool and is the master link between them and the coordinating personnel in the control room. Finally, the DSS also supplies the essential life-saving information for individual travellers. The final segment takes the outputs from the DSS and passes this onto individuals caught up in the situation, essentially acting as the ‘legs’ of the system. This segment comes in four concurrent strands. The first is the supply of information to operators through the operator support module, providing the aforementioned holistic overview and control of the situation. Next is the directed guidance for rescue personnel providing optimal rescue strategies directly via a tablet PC, helping identify and assist travellers designated as ‘vulnerable users’ or reaching those travellers identified by the system as possibly be trapped or incapacitated. Bespoke guidance The final two strands of the SAVE ME outputs are bespoke guidance for travellers, based upon the actual events taking place. One strand provides travellers who have the SAVE ME app installed on their mobile device with a personalised evacuation plan, based on their approximate location and their individual traveller profile. This profile is preprogrammed into the device during the initialisation stage and includes attributes such as their age, physical capability, degree of partial sightedness etc, which is utilised by the SAVE ME system to help give a defined evacuation route taking these personal factors into account. If a suitable route cannot be determined, these travellers can then be directed to an alternative refuge point to await rescue.
The other guidance strand for travellers is generic or collective guidance. This works in conjunction with the individual guidance module to provide all travellers (primarily those without SAVE ME enabled mobile devices) with real-time evacuation information on dynamic display screens (in the SAVE ME project trials, tablet PCs were utilised for this purpose). Key to these two strands was ensuring that a consistent message was provided across all platforms, to minimise confusion among groups of travellers. Two full-scale trials SAVE ME has been trialled and tested in two full-scale, real-world situations. The first trial took place at the Colle Capretto road tunnel, near Perugia in Italy. The second trial was slightly closer to home, taking place at Monument Metro Station in Newcastle upon Tyne. The purpose of these trials was to provide a robust test of the SAVE ME system outside of the laboratory environment, to gain a greater understanding of the possibilities of WSNs, the DSS and the output displays in the actual environments in which they may one day be used. In addition to the technological aspects, the trials also served to gather feedback on the desirability of the SAVE ME user interfaces from potential future users of technology. The project has demonstrated that the technology developed in SAVE ME does have real potential in helping travellers evacuate during an emergency event. One particularly innovative outcome from this work has been the real-time ‘spawning’ of virtual avatars in the visualisation component of the system based on their actual location within the test environments. Throughout the project the SAVE ME consortium have kept a key message with us at all times: even the world’s most advanced and highly developed technological systems need to have dedicated, well-trained and professional teams of personnel behind them. We must not forget that in any emergency event, the role of multiple individuals working as a single team makes the difference between life and death, success and failure. Ultimately, SAVE ME is designed as a technological system to help these individuals with their duties, and never to replace them. www.save-me.eu
Emergency Services Times August 2012
Author: Dr Gareth Evans, Research Associate in Public Transport Systems, Transport Operations Research Group, Newcastle University
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