NOVEMBER 2011
VOLUME 12 | 4
DATA VIDEO VOICE INTERNET VIA SATELLITE &
The most advanced mobile command vehicles in the world
ᔡ News: Deloitte report shows many forces need to prepare for the arrival of PCCs ᔡ Public Order: The Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service share their experiences of the riots that took place in England this August ᔡ Profiles: A new organisation has been established to represent Ambulance Chiefs in the UK and PageOne celebrates 25 years ᔡ Contracts & People: the new Metropolitan Police Commissioner begins work by bringing in two new Assistant Commissioners ᔡ ESS2011: West Midlands Fire Service will be demonstrating its new ICU’s capabilities ᔡ Underground Emergencies: An insight into the London Underground Emergency Response Unit’s work
www.excelerate.info
ᔡ Scottish FRS: Chief Officers give their opinions on a single fire service in Scotland
Tel: 0845 6585747
ISSN 1472-1090
www.emergencyservicestimes.com
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Tel: 01908 548043 www.audi.co.uk www.seat.co.uk www.skoda.co.uk www.volkswagen.co.uk www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk
CONTENTS | 1
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Regular features First Words David Brown, Event Director, The Emergency Services Show 2011, outlines the importance of establishing close working relationships within the emergency sector
3
News Deloitte report shows many forces need to prepare for the arrival of PCCs, YDS Boots supports the British Legion with latest campaign, and a huge multi-agency exercise takes place in Southampton
4
Page 55: Gateshead College AutoSkills Centre has developed specialist training to equip emergency services to deal with electric and hybrid vehicles.
Profile PageOne’s CEO Chris Jones discusses the company’s success as it reaches its 25th year
24
The Association of Ambulance Executives represents all 12 ambulance services and is envisaged as a critical point of contact with partner agencies
25
Operation Florian was established in 1995 to help communities in need by providing vital fire fighting equipment and training. It was established when Croatia and Bosnia were left severely damaged after the war and were left with no fire equipment. The charity now helps countries all over the world
73
Contracts & People The new Metropolitan Police Commissioner begins work by bringing in two new Assistant Commissioners, EMAS boosts efficiency with Panasonic Toughbooks, Keith Bristow is appointed in the lead role of the National Crime Agency, plus other news
33
Product Information
Inside this issue Public Order
ESS2011
The Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service write about their experiences of the riots that took place in August. Stefan Raue from the University of Glasgow investigates the role social media played during the unrest
We showcase more exhibitors at The Emergency Services Show 2011, taking place from 23-24 November. West Midlands Fire Service will be demonstrating its new ICU’s capabilities on Stand 386; visit Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue’s stand for information on its USAR training site; British Red Cross is launching its new vehicles; and don’t miss the new range of defribrillators from Laerdal
11
Underground Emergencies The incident at Gleision Mine in South Wales involved a recovery operation involving many different agencies including the Mines Rescue Service, South & Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team and Great Western Ambulance Service HART unit, who give their accounts.
27
Scotland Fire and Rescue Service Steven Torrie, Head of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Advisory Unit and CFO Jimmy Campbell from Lothian and Borders FRS give their opinions on the Scottish Government’s decision to nationalise the fire and rescue service in Scotland
45
51
Civil Contingencies The National Resilience Extranet contains all necessary information in time of emergency and is a secure and resilient platform available to all Category 1 and 2 responders. Plus the Government launches a new website to help people prepare for winter
74
Training London Fire Brigade hosted this year’s UK Rescue Challenge which attracted teams from 36 fire and rescue services across the country, MFC Survival’s Rescue Day was a great success, and the National Cycle Response Group hopes to standardise practices of cycle response
79
New products include Samalite head torces, expandable area lighting systems from Peli, address datasets from Ordnance Survey, a Surrey Police iPhone app, Accuride’s slide and tilt system and many more
88
Last Words Superintendent Thor Langli from the Oslo Police Department was in charge of the operation following the terrorist attack in the city in July. He discusses his experiences and lessons learned
96
Page 18: Mobile CCTV equipment is assisting police in their search for rioters and looters following August’s public order disturbances.
Emergency Services Times November 2011
2 | A-Z
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Companies Company Name
Page No
Accuride.............................................................................................92 ACTIVE Solutions ...........................................................................92 Amor Group ......................................................................................34 Anglia Ruskin University..................................................................8 APD Communications.....................................................................34 ARL Communications .....................................................................67 Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) ..................25 Audi....................................................................................................41 Avon Fire and Rescue Service.........................................................87 BMW..................................................................................................41 Bristol Uniforms...............................................................................91 British Association for Immediate Care (BASICS).......................33 British Red Cross..............................................................................56 BT.......................................................................................................74 Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat.............................74 Capita Group Plc ..............................................................................34 Cedar HR Software Ltd ...................................................................34 Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.....................................................8 Chief Fire Officers' Association Scotland (CFOAS)...............45, 46 Cornwall Air Ambulance...................................................................7 Cumbria County Council...................................................................8 Defence Fire Service ..........................................................................8 Defra...................................................................................................84 Deloitte ................................................................................................4 Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service ...................................4 Devon and Cornwall Police...............................................................4 Draeger ..............................................................................................51 DuPont.................................................................................................4 East Midlands Ambulance Service .................................................33 Emergency Services Show 2011 ......................................................51 Environment Agency ..................................................................8, 84 Excelerate Technology ...............................................................36, 92 Exercise Watermark..........................................................................84 Ford....................................................................................................41 Geigerrig............................................................................................91 Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service...................................8, 67 Great Western Ambulance Service ...................................................8 Great Western Ambulance Service HART ..............................27, 29 Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service................................17 Greater Manchester Police ........................................................17, 18 Hampshire Constabulary ...................................................................8 Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.................................................8 Hampshire Police Authority ...........................................................33 Honda.................................................................................................41 Hyundai .............................................................................................41 IBM Software ....................................................................................34 Icom UK............................................................................................92 Imtradex.............................................................................................91
Company Name
Page No
Company Name
Page No
Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE)..................................................4 Intellitec MV Ltd ...............................................................................4 Jaguar .................................................................................................41 Laerdal Medical................................................................................62 Lancashire Constabulary .............................................................7, 33 Land Rover....................................................................................7, 41 LED Lenser ......................................................................................62 Lexus..................................................................................................41 Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue .........................................................52 Lincolnshire USAR team ................................................................52 Lintran...............................................................................................61 London Ambulance Service (LAS) ..........................................18, 34 London Fire Brigade .....................................................11, 12, 76, 79 London Underground Emergency Response Unit.......................30 Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service..............................46 Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS)................................................71 Mazda.................................................................................................41 Mercedes-Benz..................................................................................41 Mersey Tunnels Police .....................................................................34 Merseyside Police .............................................................................18 Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) ..........................................11, 33 MFC Survival....................................................................................81 Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service...............................27 Mines Rescue Service Ltd ...............................................................27 Mitsubishi..........................................................................................41 MoD ...................................................................................................52 MoD Police..........................................................................................8 National Association of Police Fleet Managers (NAPFM)..........41 National Crime Agency (NCA).......................................................34 National Cycle Response Group .....................................................83 National Resilience Extranet (NRE) ..............................................74 North Fire .........................................................................................62 NPIA Automotive and Equipment Section...................................61 Operation Florian.............................................................................73 Ordnance Survey ..............................................................................91 Oslo Police Department...................................................................96 PageOne.............................................................................................24 Panasonic...........................................................................................33 Peli......................................................................................................91 Peugeot...............................................................................................41 Police Service of Northern Ireland.................................................34 Primetech ..........................................................................................67 QinetiQ ..............................................................................................61 Rapid Vision Systems.......................................................................92 Red Box Recorders .............................................................................7 Red Cross...........................................................................................27 Rosenbauer ........................................................................................62 Royal British Legion..........................................................................7
RVG....................................................................................................71 SARA....................................................................................................8 Scott Safety..................................................................................67, 91 Scottish Fire and Rescue Advisory Unit........................................45 Scottish Government........................................................................46 Search & Rescue Assistance in Disasters (SARAID)....................87 SEAT..................................................................................................41 Skoda..................................................................................................41 SMP Electronics ...............................................................................88 South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team ................................27, 28 South Central Ambulance HART.....................................................8 South Wales Fire and Rescue Service ..................................4, 27, 28 South Wales Police ...........................................................................27 South Yorkshire Police.......................................................................7 SP Services ........................................................................................33 St John Scotland .................................................................................7 Staffordshire Police ..........................................................................33 Surf & Turf Instant Shelters............................................................64 Surrey Police .....................................................................................92 SURVIVE Group ..............................................................................56 Suzuki ................................................................................................41 Tayside Fire and Rescue...................................................................34 Tees Valley Blood Bike.......................................................................8 Thames Valley Police Authority .....................................................33 Thomas Jacks ....................................................................................65 Toyota.................................................................................................41 Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team ..............................................7 UK Rescue Challenge 2011 .............................................................79 Ultra Electronics...............................................................................74 University of Wolverhampton...........................................................4 Vauxhall .............................................................................................41 VectorCommand ...............................................................................84 Vision Techniques.............................................................................18 Volkswagen........................................................................................41 Warwickshire Police .........................................................................34 Welsh Ambulance Service................................................................27 Welsh Government...........................................................................84 West Midlands Fire Service.......................................................51, 68 West Midlands Police.......................................................................18 West Yorkshire Police.......................................................................33 Winsted..............................................................................................64 WRVS.................................................................................................27 YDS......................................................................................................7 Yorkshire Ambulance Service ...........................................................7 Zetron.................................................................................................91
Company Name
Company Name
Advertisers Company Name
Page No
3tc Software .......................................................................................86 AA Special Operations .....................................................................50 Accuride.............................................................................................63 AgustaWestland.................................................................................16 Angus Fire.........................................................................................90 APB Mobile Installations Ltd.........................................................77 Avon Inflatables................................................................................54 AWG Fittings....................................................................................89 Babcock International......................................................................22 Blücher...............................................................................................66 bott .....................................................................................................90 Bristol Uniforms...............................................................................47 British APCO .................................................................................IBC British Red Cross..............................................................................22 Cosalt..................................................................................................75 CSSC ..................................................................................................93 Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue ..................................................49 DMS technologies ............................................................................90 Dräger ..................................................................................................9 e2v ................................................................................................58, 59 Emergency Planning College ..........................................................22 Excelerate Technology Ltd..........................................................OFC Gateshead College.............................................................................53 HAIX .................................................................................................65 Halfords .............................................................................................82
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Haven.................................................................................................69 IC Brindle & Co Ltd ........................................................................80 Intramark Ltd .....................................................................................6 John Dennis Coachbuilders.............................................................53 Kussmaul Electronics Co Inc..........................................................48 Ledco/LED Lenser ..........................................................................60 Laerdal.................................................................................................5 Land Rover ...........................................................................21, 23, 25 Life Connections 2012 .....................................................................94 Lyon Equipment Limited .........................................................31, 35 MASCO/KYMCO.............................................................................88 Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service..................................................70 Mix Telematics..................................................................................10 NightSearcher Limited....................................................................44 North Fire Plc...................................................................................70 PageOne.............................................................................................19 Peli Products (UK) Ltd ...................................................................26 Premier Hazard.................................................................................86 Primetech ..........................................................................................15 Professional Clothing Awards 2011................................................72 Red Box Recorders Limited............................................................32 Rescue 3 UK......................................................................................78 Rigiflex...............................................................................................80 RSG Engineering Ltd ......................................................................88 RUD Chains......................................................................................77
Page No
Ruth Lee Ltd ....................................................................................80 RVG....................................................................................................43 S-Cut (UK) Ltd ................................................................................48 SMP Electronics ...............................................................................32 SP Services..............................................................................OBC, 87 Strongs Plastic Products Ltd...........................................................85 Surf + Turf Instant Shelters............................................................77 Supply+.............................................................................................54 Survitec Group..................................................................................73 Terrafix...............................................................................................75 Thomas Jacks ....................................................................................47 Tracerco..............................................................................................57 University of Leicester.....................................................................69 Vauxhall Special Vehicles.................................................................13 Vimpex Limited................................................................................48 Volvo...................................................................................................40 VW Group ......................................................................................IFC W H Bence ........................................................................................39 W L Gore & Associates....................................................................44 Waterous Co ......................................................................................86 WILL-BURT ....................................................................................85 Yamaha...............................................................................................49 Zodiac ................................................................................................54
Emergency Services Times November 2011
FIRST WORDS | 3
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Date:
November 2011
Editor: David J. Holden MEng(Hons) Twitter: @999editor davidholden@mmcpublications.co.uk Editorial Assistant: Alice Burton aliceburton@mmcpublications.co.uk Advertisement Manager: David Brown davidbrown@mmcpublications.co.uk Advertisement Sales: Carol Fox carolfox@mmcpublications.co.uk Circulation & Subscription Manager: Anne Ahier anne@mmcpublications.co.uk
IT/www Contact: Ceinwen Clarke ceinwen@mmcpublications.co.uk
Managing Director: David Brown Directors: John Clarke David Holden Colin Robinson Ceinwen Clarke (Sec.) Published by
Big Society – where do you fit in? The riots in early August that hit various cities across England highlighted the fragility of our communities and emphasised the important role the emergency services play in our society. Their role in terms of protecting the public is threefold and echoes their role in emergencies: Planning, Response and Recovery. It also reflects why we organise The Emergency Services Show – www.emergencyuk.com – taking place at Stoneleigh Park from 23-24 November. Planning
The emergency services play a vital role in engaging with communities, which can go some way to help prevent future riots. We hear of hundreds of excellent initiatives, such as Arson Task Forces, Road Safety Partnerships and the work of The Prince’s Trust, implemented by services, working in partnership with disadvantaged groups to build trust, support and self-esteem among those attending. The Emergency Response Zone at this year’s Emergency Services Show showcases over 80 voluntary organisations that are promoting similar work and can provide inspiration to your service. Network with and learn from these professionals at the show and find out how they can assist and support you and your organisation.
Emergency Services (MMC) Ltd a division of Modern Media
Responding
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The police, fire and rescue, and ambulance services played an essential role in responding to the unprecedented levels of public disorder in August (see pages 11-23) in what were very challenging and, in many cases, dangerous circumstances. They should all be justifiably proud of their response to restore law and order.
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The public expect the emergency services to be there when they are most needed. It was apparent, when watching the disorder unfold on the TV, how important it is for our emergency services to be fully equipped with the latest equipment, both to protect them while carrying out their duties and to assist with their operations, to bring the incidents to a rapid resolution.
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There’s no doubt we are in very uncertain times. Budget cutbacks mean it is more important than ever before to ensure taxpayer’s money is spent as cost effectively as possible – this does not necessarily mean buying the cheapest, however, and that perennial favourite, a ‘Best Value’ approach is still key. At The Emergency Services Show 2011 there are over 300 leading manufacturers and suppliers displaying the latest equipment for you to view. These exhibitors are only too aware of the current economic downturn – it hits them as well! Now is the time for you to come and meet these companies and see how they can help you stretch your budgets.
Engage with the trade and work together to maximise the efficiency savings available. Recovery
The Civil Contingencies Act defines Recovery as, ‘The process of rebuilding, restoring and rehabilitating the community following an emergency’. This was evident in Manchester following the disturbances, when operational crews from around the borough visited over 250 premises directly affected by looting and arson attacks, supported by fire safety enforcement officers, community fire safety staff, volunteers from the Community Action Team (CAT) and Greater Manchester Police; the CAT volunteers and cadets spent days out on the streets, carrying out community reassurance work with traders and shopkeepers in Manchester and Salford. You can read more about how Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service responded to the riots on page 17. Organised for you
So this year’s Emergency Services Show has something for everyone, all under one roof. Whether you’re involved in Planning for, Responding to or assisting in the Recovery from an emergency, this event is organised with you in mind: • Increase your knowledge of what the voluntary sector has to offer • Network with like-minded individuals from other emergency services • Learn about different initiatives you can implement in your community • See the latest equipment and speak with manufacturers about efficiency savings – this is your opportunity to have an influence on the equipment you use. It is now only eight months to go until the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. It would be somewhat of an understatement to say that next year promises to be a busy time for all of you, with most being involved either with the Games directly or by filling in for those who are. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all of the emergency services well for London 2012 – there’s no doubt that the years of Planning will be worth it if a Response is required. And let’s hope that the only Recovery needed will be for your weary minds, bodies and souls once the last medal has been awarded. I hope to see many of you at the show in November. David Brown, Event Director The Emergency Services Show 2011
Emergency Services Times November 2011
4 | NEWS
In brief . . . DuPont has developed the DuPont™ Nomex® Partner Program to guarantee maximum protection for flame resistant fabrics and to combat counterfeit products, which put the lives of workers at risk. The programme is a carefullyselected network of customer-oriented and progressive weavers and garment manufacturers whose fabrics and garments pass the rigorous quality controls of DuPont. Certified Nomex® fabrics are visible to the end-user through the distinctive Nomex® labelling programme, which DuPont actively encourages end users to look out for to ensure compliance, performance and quality of products that will save lives. A unique label on the garment aids identification and provides customers with a quality mark from reputable suppliers they can trust to offer genuine legal products. www.dpp-europe.com
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has launched its own Facebook and Twitter pages to help people engage with the service in an interactive and accessible way. These new pages means that Facebook and Twitter users across the county will be able to get the latest news, fire and road safety advice, updates on community campaigns and recruitment as well as being able to communicate directly with the Service. Andy Marles, Chief Fire Officer, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said, “Our Media and Communications team have recognised the increasing popularity of social networking among a growing number of people in South Wales and indeed across the world and feel a presence on Facebook and Twitter will complement the traditional channels of communication that we are already using.”
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Many forces unprepared for arrival of PCCs, says Deloitte report Police forces need to urgently start preparing for the election of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) before elections in November 2012, according to a new report by Deloitte, the professional services firm. Despite these challenges, many Chief Constables see the election of PCCs as an opportunity to fundamentally change the way that local public services are delivered. Based on discussions with more than onethird of Chief Constables in England and Wales, as well as local authorities, police authority chairs and national police organisations, Deloitte’s report – Negotiating the bill – shows that only 55 percent of the forces and authorities interviewed have begun formal preparations for the arrival of PCCs and uncertainties and risks remain widespread within police forces. The report showed that forces will face many challenges before the elections, such as the PCC’s role in approving budgets, their rights of access to sensitive materials and how they work with the Chief Constable and other staff.
Concerns were raised about the role of the Police and Crime Panel, with many interviewees stating panels have been overlooked and need defining as the principal check on PCCs’ power. The capacity of one elected official to oversee an entire police force is questioned by respondents, with several believing that some form of delegation will be essential and that looking at governance structures from across the public and private sectors will be necessary. Deloitte makes five key recommendations on how police forces can prepare for the election of PCCs: 1. Assemble a transition team to set up the PCC’s office ready for their arrival and set their immediate workloads and meetings. Plans must get PCCs settled and up to speed but allow them to implement their own manifesto commitments 2. Outline the PCC work programme to prioritise the PCC’s time and focus their attention on the most pressing issues 3. Develop tailored governance and accountability models based on local needs with sufficient flexibility
www.wlv.ac.uk
www.deloitte.co.uk
Management buyout at Intellitec Joining forces to tackle arson
writing to all our key customers to this regard, in the mean time if there are any burning questions please do not hesitate to contact myself or Paul Smith.” Paul Smith, who is responsible for all technical and engineering matters for Intellitec, added, “The conclusion of this transaction will allow us to concentrate on what we do best, which is developing new products and concepts for the European special vehicle market. There are potentially very exciting times ahead for Intellitec.”
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and Devon and Cornwall Police are to work more closely together to share information relating to crimes of arson. Chief Constable Stephen Otter and Chief Fire Officer Lee Howell have signed a Partnership Working Practice Agreement to tackle the issue. The agreement includes the immediate sharing of information through technology to automatically inform the police of every deliberately started fire. Other aspects of the agreement include a shared use of facilities and exploring the potential for future joint training initiatives. Chief Fire Officer Lee Howell said, “This agreement builds on the strong working relationship we have developed over many years and ensures that we will work even more closely in the future to reduce arson and its impact on society.” Chief Constable Stephen Otter added, “Police staff will have direct access to the locations of all deliberate fires. This approach will improve the accuracy of community risk profiles and result in targeted prevention activities being more effective.”
www.intellitecmv.com
www.dsfire.gov.uk
www.facebook.com/SWFireandRescue @swfireandrescue
The BSc (Hons) Fire and Rescue from the University of Wolverhampton has received accreditation from the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE). Wolverhampton students are encouraged to become student members of the IFE when they join the university and to apply for full membership status when they graduate. The accreditation enables graduates to become members of the IFE without taking further professional examinations. The BSc (Hons) Fire and Rescue is now in its second year and aims to offer a well-balanced and highly relevant professional programme of study for students intending to seek a career in the fire and rescue service or industrial and aviation sector.
to adapt over time. Forces should also look at formal training packages they can offer new PCCs 4. Ensure that the Policing and Crime Panel has a defined structure, membership and working practice ahead of the election of PCCs and is capable of effectively challenging the PCC 5. Consider how the new PCC might be able to work with other local agencies and service providers to overhaul the way in which services are delivered across the region. James Taylor, policing lead in Deloitte’s public sector team, said, “When 41 PCCs take office next year, there need to be tailored structures and plans in place to greet them, but just over half of the forces we spoke to have begun this work. Police forces and local authorities urgently need to look at arranging staff and offices, deciding what will be in a PCC’s inbox and diary on day one and how they can get to grips with organisations that, in some cases, cover vast areas and control budgets in the hundreds of millions.”
Duncan Hughes and Paul Smith have acquired the majority shareholding of Intellitec MV Ltd under a management buyout. Duncan Hughes stated, “We concluded our negotiations on 5 September 2011 and closed the transaction in a very amicable manner. Both Paul and I would like to put on record our best wishes to Lee and George Allen and the whole of the VIP Group of Companies and staff. “As with all acquisitions and mergers it is very important to our customers that we provide them with as much information as they need, we will be
Emergency Services Times November 2011
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56 Windsor Street, Burbage, Leicestershire LE10 2EF
Tel: 01455 612400 Fax: 01455 612483 Email: enquiries@intramarkuk.com Website: intramarkuk.com
NEWS | 7
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Services join forces in Sheffield Paramedics from Yorkshire Ambulance Service have teamed up with Special Constables from South Yorkshire Police to provide a quick response to people with alcoholrelated injuries and illnesses in Sheffield town centre on Friday and Saturday nights. The tried and tested initiative has already proved to be a huge success in other cities in the region, including York and Hull. The twin benefits are that while police are dealing with any anti-social behaviour, crime or disorder the paramedic can safely enter the environment to provide early medical assessment and treatment to those who are injured.
Alan Baranowski, Assistant Director of A&E Operations for South Yorkshire at Yorkshire Ambulance Service, says the scheme is a win-win situation for both the ambulance service and the police. He said, “Unfortunately, a lot of the 999 calls received in busy town and city centres on evenings at weekends are alcohol-related and are usually for those who have had too much to drink, fallen over, or got into a fight. Most of the time, these people only require treatment for minor cuts or bruises so the benefit of this scheme is that it allows the paramedic to treat patients at the scene with the reassurance that the police are on hand to handle any difficult situations and keep public order.” If successful, the scheme may be extended to bank holidays and occasions where large numbers of people are anticipated, such as major music or sporting events. www.yas.nhs.uk
YDS supports British Legion with latest initiative
(From L to R) Ex serviceman Bruce Alexander; Steve Hall, UK Sales and Marketing Manager, YDS; and ex serviceman Paul Kenny with the new range of military boots from YDS.
YDS, Europe’s largest manufacturer of military footwear, has launched a new range in the UK and will donate £2.50 to the Royal British Legion from every pair sold as part of the company’s ‘put yourself in their boots’ charitable campaign. The new boots are designed to be more comfortable and will keep feet dryer than ever with their GORETEX® systems. The range includes combat boots, Odin GTX and Thor; Kalahari, a desert boot; a patrol boot, Eagle; and wet weather boots, Moraine GTX. The entire range benefits from features such as being lightweight but incorporating a dual density/PU rubber soling system that provides ultimate comfort through excellent shock absorption combined with maximum protection. Steve Hall, Sales Manager for YDS in the UK, explained, “Our military works in the most challenging environments and keeping feet comfortable, dry and cool or warm can help
ensure they are always ready to carry out their activities without worrying that a piece of kit may let them down. YDS has been supplying quality footwear for many years and our designs have been developed by combining vast experience with modern technologies. This new range offers different, superior footwear for different situations and applications. However, we didn’t just want to launch a new range of boots, we wanted to put something back to the organisations that support our UK forces and so we decided to launch our very own charitable initiative ‘put yourself in their boots’. For every pair of boots sold through its distribution chain in the UK, YDS will donate £2.50 to the Royal British Legion to support the work they do to offer help and assistance to British troops and their families in time of need.” www.putyourselfintheirboots.com www.britishlegion.org.uk
Red Box listed in Times top 100 Red Box Recorders has been awarded a prestigious place in the 11th annual Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100 league table, which ranks Britain’s top 100 privately-owned technology, media and telecoms (TMT) companies with the fastest-growing sales over the last three years. It is the first time that Red Box’s success has been recognised in the league tables and it is the only digital voice recording, storage and retrieval company to appear this year. The company was ranked 95 and selected from a database of two million private UK companies. The Sunday Times wrote about the company, ‘‘Calls may be recorded for training purposes’ is a familiar
In brief . . . Lancashire Constabulary has become the first force in the country to be granted accreditation for its Forensic Footwear Laboratory. The force’s Footwear Unit – part of Scientific Support – provides forensic analysis of footwear marks that have been left at crime scenes. Footwear marks can be used to determine if a person has been in a particular location and their movement. Previously, external service providers would have carried out such analysis. However, the unit has now been successful in obtaining formal accreditation from UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) for its footwear laboratory and processes. The constabulary is now accredited to the same exacting standard as any forensic service provider. This means that the unit can now provide an inhouse service, which includes creating full statements for use as evidence in court, as well as expert testimony in the dock. The work will rarely, if ever, need to be sent out of force. This in turn will increase efficiency and reduce costs surrounding investigations. www.lancashire.police.uk
St John Scotland has announced that it will buy a fleet of new emergency vehicles for half a million pounds to replace the 25 vehicles it has bought for Scottish Mountain Rescue since 1998. St John Scotland presented the first of these new vehicles, a Land Rover, to the Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team on 30 August 2011, near Peebles. Jonathan Hart, Chair of the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland, said, “This continued significant financial assistance from St John Scotland to buy a fleet of 25 new emergency vehicles will provide a huge boost to Mountain Rescue Teams in Scotland and we are deeply grateful to St John Scotland for their outstanding support over many years.” www.sja.org.uk
phrase and this Nottingham company has developed the software to make it happen. Customers are typically financial institutions and police forces which record calls for staff training, dispute resolution and protection against fraud. Sales have grown 38% a year from £1.9 million in 2007 to £5.1 million in 2010’.
Plans for a new home for the Cornwall Air Ambulance have moved another step closer to completion with the recent unveiling of the building’s foundation stone. Construction work on the site near Newquay Cornwall Airport, which began in April 2011, remains on time for delivery of the finished project by Christmas. A special ceremony was held where Councillor Pat Harvey, chairman of Cornwall Council, unveiled the foundation stone from under the St Piran’s flag.
www.redboxrecorders.com
www.helimed181.co.uk
Iain Worthington, co-founder and CEO at Red Box.
Emergency Services Times November 2011
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In brief . . . The lives of children, adults and pensioners are being saved across Cleveland thanks to the tireless voluntary efforts of two Hartlepool Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) Jon Formstone and Mark Say, whose Tees Valley Blood Bike service has hit the streets. A team of standby motorcycle riders has been called upon to take items such as blood, diagnostic specimens and medical equipment, sometimes in blue-light emergencies, around 30 times since the beginning of July. The blood bike initiative also saves the NHS money by providing voluntary motorbike riders on evenings and weekends when the internal courier system is not operating. In order to raise money to start the service Jon, Mark and other supporters took to their bikes on a 3000 mile trip around the UK with the aim of fundraising £10,000 for fuel and a bike on which to launch the service. www.bloodrun.co.uk
Forensic scientists at Anglia Ruskin University have revealed a novel and great value tool that could be used to help catch arsonists – cat litter. Most brands of cat litter contain the mineral sodium bentonite, which is a clay formed from volcanic ash. Up close, the clay is full of microscopic tunnels with a network of capillaries, which retain the petrol on the surface without reacting. Garry White, one of the scientists involved in the study, explained, “When investigating a fire, a CSI might detect that petrol is present either by smelling it themselves or by using specially-trained sniffer dogs. However, because the CSIs usually arrive much later after the incident, some of the petrol would have evaporated or soaked into the floor, sometimes leaving just a stain. The CSI will need to obtain a sample and if the floor is concrete this poses a major problem. There are currently no reliable, or standard, products used by CSIs to sample petrol for later detection. However, our research has shown that cat litter is the best product available and, most importantly, fulfils the criteria laid down by UK courts.” www.anglia.ac.uk
Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) has again been recognised as one of the best emergency services in the world for the way it handles the growing number of 999 calls. GWAS is the only emergency service in Europe to be accredited as a Centre of Excellence four times in a row – dating back to 2001 – by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED). www.gwas.nhs.uk
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Southampton hosts large multi-agency exercise A major multi-agency exercise, Operation Spartan, was held at Marchwood Military Port on Saturday 10 September and was the culmination of months of planning between the participating 999 responders, military and civilian agencies. The exercise featured the Defence Fire Service and the MoD Police, who were joined by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, Hampshire Constabulary, South Central Ambulance HART, the Environment Agency and HazMat advisors. The exercise objectives were threefold: to test the Port Incident Plan, test the response of local emergency services to a complex, major incident and to test the ability of the various agencies to work together to reach a safe and successful conclusion of the exercise situation. Police Constable Mike Batten, a Hazmat Advisor, organised the exercise. He said, “The scenario for the exercise involved the MV Hurst Point, a 23,000-tonne military roll-on rolloff cargo vessel, which for reasons unknown had collided with the jetty on the final approach to the military port. “As a result, the ship was holed at the waterline and the scenario involved fuel leaking into Southampton Water. The impact with the jetty also caused cargo on the deck to shift and as a result the exercise involved two crew members falling into a compartment and becoming trapped by falling debris. In order to maximise the training opportunities I arranged for two nurses who kindly volunteered
to participate in the exercise to be ‘live’ casualties to make the situation as real as possible. “To add to the drama, we arranged for a shipping container on the deck to become ‘ruptured’ and smoke generators were placed inside to simulate the burning phosphorous.” Warrant Officer Dave Rush said, “The facilities at the Sea Mounting Centre has made it possible for all the emergency services to exercise their skills in a controlled environment with minimum disruption to external agencies. It also allows the 17 Port and Maritime Regiment RLC to practise their waterborne response to an emergency alongside the other professionals.”
NW fire and rescue services to share control room facilities Cumbria is set to join forces with other fire and rescue services in the north west by transferring its control room function to a single centre in Warrington. The collaboration will transfer fire 999 call handing and fire engine mobilisation, currently carried out by individual services, to a local authority-controlled company, NW Fire Control Ltd. On 15 September the county council’s cabinet gave the green light to Cumbria becoming a full partner in a north west collaboration that will offer more functionality as well as greater resilience at a reduced cost. Following the collapse of the Government’s FiReControl Project at the end of 2010, fire and rescue services in the north west have been looking at how they could work together to
get maximum benefit from the funds the Government is making available for future changes to control and the replacement of control systems. Discussions with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service about sharing a system were successful and agreed by members in December 2010. Work to implement this is expected to be complete by the end of the year. Cllr Gary Strong, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet member for the Fire and Rescue Service, said, “This is the right decision for the county and one that will improve our resilience and functionality. It also makes the most of funding available from Government and helps us achieve significant savings for all fire and rescue services.” www.cumbria.gov.uk
Emergency Services Times November 2011
Ben Smith, Station Manager for the New Forest area, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, added, “The exercise was concluded after two and a half hours with all parties satisfied that the ‘incident’ had been successfully dealt with. Lessons learned “All those attending agreed that the exercise had been a success, with lessons learned and areas identified for further development. As always, thanks must go to all those who gave up their time to take part in the exercise and the staff at the Marchwood Military Port for making both the port area and the ship available.” www.hantsfire.gov.uk
Partnership is UK first for water rescue SARA’s Tewkesbury Rescue Station began an exciting partnership with Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (Tewkesbury) on 24 September 2011, in an unprecedented move for UK emergency response agencies. The move sees SARA’s volunteers combining resources and sharing premises with the firefighters to create a hub for water rescue in Tewkesbury and surrounding areas with the station being renamed ‘Gloucestershire Water Rescue Centre’. The partnership means improved coordination and interoperability between the two agencies. SARA has four rescue stations at strategic points along the River Severn. www.sara-rescue.org.uk
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“We have never seen such levels of multi-site disorder in the capital before.” The changing nature and sheer scale of events between 6 and 9 August made it very different from anything we had seen in the capital before. Over a short space of time on Saturday it changed from a peaceful protest in response to the tragic death of Mark Duggan to a significant spontaneous disorder in Tottenham. The following night (Sunday) the disorder and criminality spread to other boroughs (Haringey again plus Enfield, Lambeth, Waltham Forest and Hackney) and on Monday night it was the sheer number and size of simultaneous incidents, touching almost every borough that was so significant. By Monday night, serious disorder – that is individual crimes or a concentration of crimes – took place in 22 of London’s 32 boroughs. We have never seen such levels of multi-site disorder in the capital before. Outstanding bravery From the outset it is worth remembering the primary role of the police is protecting life and to maintain the Queen’s peace. It is evident that during the disorders, difficult decisions had to be taken at times to prioritise the preservation of life over protection of property, owing to unprecedented resourcing challenges as a result of the scale and agility of the disorder. It is important to note that 450 offenders were arrested over the three nights of disorder, many of which were the result of the outstanding bravery and dedication of Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers and their county colleagues.
“We have agreed and implemented improved joint training with the fire brigade to ensure together we provide enhanced protection for the public in the event of disorder.” At its peak we were receiving more than one piece of information per second. The number of 999 calls to the MPS increased by 400 percent in a 24-hour period, to over 20,000. London Fire Brigade received over 1700 reports of fires burning. Disturbing levels of violence were directed at officers, leading to 44 being injured on Monday night, which included officers being driven at resulting in broken bones, and another officer receiving an eye injury that is likely to need surgery. Information and intelligence Each day the number of officers made available was increased based on the information and intelligence received. Following the events of Sunday night and the spread of disorder and criminality the number of officers was significantly increased again (6000, which is equivalent to the number of officers we normally make available to
police Notting Hill Carnival on Bank Holiday Monday). As more officers were made available, it became easier to arrest people, as officers were able to ‘backfill’ the police lines when officers were removed to deal with those arrested. It soon became clear that even the increase to 6000 (approximately 550 were from mutual aid from other constabularies) was not enough and as such the number was increased to 16,000 for Tuesday. We know now that there was very limited disorder that night and in fact it spread across the rest of the country. Public order trained officers At the height of the disorder significant numbers of public order trained officers were mobilised from across the MPS, in keeping with the MPS service mobilisation plan. While the Saturday night saw the mobilisation of only MPS officers initially, as the disorder spread over the Sunday and Monday additional public order resource was brought into the MPS through mutual aid. Public order trained officers were then deployed across the London footprint, allocated to sectors in an effort to ensure an expedient response to emerging disorder. Mutual aid has provided the MPS with the opportunity to test the interoperability of tactics and communication between forces. This is of particular importance in the lead up to the Olympic Games. In both cases these have proved successful areas, specifically Airwave radios worked successfully enabling different forces to communicate with each other Lessons to learn It is clear in hindsight that learning opportunities exist from this experience, in the method in which we mobilise such resources. For example it would appear that the number of officers mustered on 6 August in response to the Tottenham disorder met those levels set within the current MPS Service Mobilisation Plan (SMP); however with hindsight the numbers were not enough. Assistant Commissioner Lynne Owens, on behalf of the MPS Management Board, is now leading a comprehensive strategic review of the MPS response to the disorder. The strategic objectives of this review are: ‘To develop a detailed understanding of the MPS response to significant public disorder in London between Thursday 4th August and Friday 19th August 2011 in order to inform future policing operations, by ensuring organisational learning is recognised and developed for the future. This learning and the subsequent costed plans will be shared promptly, as
appropriate, with key internal and external stakeholders.’ Critical incident management The scope of the strategic review includes: critical incident management; community engagement; causality; Riot Damages Act; timeline (evidential based) and organisational learning (from across the MPS); public order tactics and response; contingency and preparedness planning; intelligence and social media; large-scale investigative processes associated with disorder; logistical support; and the Criminal Justice System. A report outlining interim findings should be published on 17 November 2011, with the final report available on 24 December 2011.
Mutual aid has provided the MPS with the opportunity to test the interoperability of tactics and communication between forces. Additional tactical measures The strategic review led by AC Owens is also examining additional tactical measures, such as water cannon and baton round availability, the latter was available as an option but not utilised for operational reasons. The MPS remains openminded while awaiting the conclusions from the review as to future options. Sharing the learning of all emergency services, local authority reviews and through the London Resilience Forum is vital to implementing continued coordinated improvements. One direct result of such is we have agreed and implemented improved joint training with the fire brigade to ensure together we provide enhanced protection for the public in the event of disorder. www.met.police.uk
Author: Chief Inspector John Duffy, ACCO – Strategic Review – Operation Kirkin, Metropolitan Police Service.
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London Fire Brigade reveals full extent of fires during civil disturbances The images of London ablaze during the recent civil unrest will stay with many of us for a long time. Yet throughout it all staff remained calm, professional and dignified – something that makes me proud to be London Fire Commissioner. We have published an initial report into the brigade’s activities during the civil disturbances, which reveals that our crews attended at least 807 fires between Saturday 6 August and Wednesday 10 August. The busiest single day came on Tuesday 9 August, when firefighters went to 263 fires – around one every five minutes, on average. Our 999 control staff also saw an extraordinary number of calls. For four nights in a row, between Saturday 6 August and Tuesday 9 August, staff were handling, on average, one call every 48 seconds. Over four days, staff handled more than 5500 calls. During the third night of disturbances the brigade attended 12 major fires. Two of those fires required more than 10 fire engines (over 50 firefighters), plus specialist vehicles such as special water pumping appliances, hydraulic platforms and fire rescue units, which hold specialist rescue equipment. Crews were attending or attempting serious fires in Enfield, Croydon, Clapham Junction, Ealing, Barking and Dagenham, Greenwich, Merton and Southwark. In the London borough of Croydon alone on Monday 8 August fire crews attended a fire requiring four fire engines at 8.35pm, a fire requiring 10 fire engines at 8.54pm, a second fire requiring four engines at 11.44pm and a further fire requiring six fire engines at 4.13am on the Tuesday morning. This equates to over 120 firefighters, and that excludes specialist officers and specialist equipment also attending those fires.
“For four nights in a row, between Saturday 6 August and Tuesday 9 August, staff were handling, on average, one call every 48 seconds.” Cross border support One week after the fire at the Sony Warehouse in Enfield firefighters were still damping down deepseated pockets of fire as the building was demolished. At its height 11 fire engines and around 55 firefighters tackled the blaze. Our thanks go to Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service who were also on site providing cross border support. Although we were in contact with our neighbouring brigades we did not need to call upon mutual aid and dealt with the unrest with existing resources.
Devastation left by a fire in London Road, Croydon.
I’ve visited fire stations and heard first hand accounts of the attacks that our staff suffered during the disturbances. I commend and thank the actions of firefighters and senior officers who stood up to the challenge of saving lives and buildings while enduring personal attacks. One woman firefighter was riding her scooter through Peckham on her way to work on Monday 8 August when she was attacked and then robbed. First, an attacker, punched her in the head in an unprovoked act of mindless violence. She escaped but when she next stopped at a junction, a masked man held a gun to her head and demanded her scooter. She made it to Peckham fire station and was ready to go on duty but crews were concerned that she might have been suffering from concussion. After being checked out, she was back at work driving a fire engine the very next night. Another firefighter was attacked as he left Battersea Fire Station and suffered bruised ribs. Nine fire engines had their windscreens smashed and three senior officers’ cars were attacked. Protecting the public As the threat of disturbances across the capital continued we issued an arson prevention guide urging businesses to take extra measures to protect themselves with specific guidance to block letterboxes, remove window displays and where possible to reschedule deliveries of combustible materials. It was also important to tell our public how we were responding to the incidents across the capital.
We used social media, especially Twitter, with our feed @LondonFire growing by 3000 people in a 24-hour period. Live updates were reaching over 10,000 followers and our Facebook page has increased to more than 7000. Strategic Response Arrangements I was extremely pleased with how our Strategic Response Arrangements (SRA), also known as Gold Command Policy, coped with the unprecedented events. The arrangements brought into effect on 1 March last year provide a framework to be undertaken in the event of an emergency, whether it has a sudden impact or is a pre-planned event. The SRAs have been tested against exercises and live incidents, but the disturbances were an opportunity to stand up elements of the SRA policy to maintain the appropriate level of strategic oversight and resilience needed. Essentially the SRAs are scalable and can be applied as a framework to any event regardless of its nature, size or duration. Any or all of the elements can be utilised dependent on the nature of the incident. A Commissioner’s Group led by both Deputy Commissioner Rita Dexter and me made an early decision to stand up elements of our Strategic Response Arrangements. This group provided strategic support, direction, advice and guidance to the Duty Brigade Manager and nominated Gold Commander (Fire). It was vitally important to have a strategic overview of all the brigade’s functions,
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Clearing up after the Clapham Junction fire.
including those not directly affected by the incident, throughout the events. Gold Coordinating Group A multi-agency Gold Coordinating Group was established and chaired by the Metropolitan Police, which received input from the Commissioner’s Group via the Gold Commander acting as the representative for fire. A London Fire Brigade Coordinating Group (BCG) was established as part of our response and was overseen by the Duty Brigade Manager who was an Assistant Commissioner and led on a daily (12-hour shift basis) by a Deputy Assistant Commissioner (DAC). This group convened on the direction of the Duty DAC when required due to the significant managerial, operational events and emergencies all requiring a higher level of strategic governance or operational management. Nominated and trained officers managed roles over a designated 24-hour period conditioned to 12-hour shifts working in the following cells: Resources/Logistics cell – This cell coordinated the current disposition and availability of all LFB resources available including: appliances; personnel; equipment; and consumables. Planning cell – This cell undertook short-term planning to support brigade operations and developed specific plans for the Duty Brigade Manager and/or Gold Commander (Fire). The function of the Planning Cell includes (but is not limited to) developing plans to deliver: large-scale decontamination of equipment (ie GTCPS); replacement of front line equipment; large-scale refuelling arrangements; protracted (large scale) relief strategy; and change of watch arrangements. Operations cell – This cell gathered operational intelligence to provide support for incidents currently underway. Considerations included (but were not limited to): liaison with CLG Emergency Room for maintenance of the national picture;
mutual aid – in and out of area deployment. (While LFB dealt with all incidents from its own resources, over-the-border arrangements were in place and assistance from one bordering brigade in accordance with normal arrangements. These overthe-border arrangements were in place but were not needed as we dealt with all incidents from our resources.); brigade involvement within multiagency operations, in particular a large number of LFB Inter-Agency Liaison Officers were strategically located at key sites for both intelligence gathering and planning and for operational response to incidents; and liaison with the Resources/Logistics Cell where a number incidents require resourcing simultaneously. Information/communications cell – This cell was responsible for: supporting internal communications via operationally urgent messages etc; supporting the collation of summary documents/briefings for fire ‘talking heads’ prior to media briefing (in conjunction with the LFB press office); and communication with other agencies on behalf of the Duty Brigade Manager (operationally urgent message/classified briefings etc) and ensuring that there was commonality across partner agencies to ensure a consistent and accurate message was been communicated by all responders. The Gold Commander (Fire) – The Gold Commander (Fire) role was undertaken by a nominated LFB officer at Assistant Commissioner level acting as the Commissioner’s representative at Gold Coordinating Group chaired by the MPS Commander. These meetings were held twice daily and provided an excellent basis for multi-agency intelligence and information sharing to provide the most up-to-date information allowing officers to plan for a range of different consequences. The Duty Brigade Manager – The Duty Brigade Manager role was undertaken by an officer at Assistant Commissioner level. The Duty Brigade Manager was: the initial point of contact where
urgent corporate level management decisions (including those around LFB Business Continuity) are required; and a single point of coordination for strategic management, planning and response. Historically we have created forward control mobilising points (FCMP), which concentrate a number of resources to deal with a large-scale incident in one area. Monday 8 August saw looting and fire setting in a number of areas at the same time. That evening we set up three FCMP at fire stations in areas of London, which had the most incidents. Any incident that was within the set grid or on the fire stations’ ground was forwarded directly to the officer in charge of the FCMP. They were then tasked with finding out whether the police could offer our crews support and what resources to send to the incident. Varied challenges I am confident that we have the most robust and detailed special arrangement procedures in the UK. Alongside this with the implementation of our SRA we were also well positioned to flex and respond to the many and varied challenges situations like this present to emergency responders. Having a scalable and clear policy in place before it is needed is an essential requirement for organisations to maintain their business continuity and to be able to switch from steady state to crisis response with the minimum of impact on systems and staff. Our plans worked very well but we will not be complacent. As with any large-scale incident we will learn lessons and improve our procedures to remain, in my eyes, the best fire and rescue service in the world. www.london-fire.gov.uk
Emergency Services Times November 2011
Author: Ron Dobson, Fire Commissioner, London Fire Brigade.
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Firefighters show professionalism and courage in face of ‘violence and intimidation’ The civil disorder that took place in the boroughs of Manchester and Salford on 9 August led to a significant increase in calls received by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS). At around 4.30pm on 9 August, as a briefing was being conducted, an intelligence report was received in the operations room at GMFRS headquarters, from Greater Manchester Police (GMP), indicating growing disturbance in the Salford area. It was decided to initiate attendance at the multi-agency Silver and Gold facility at Sedgley Park, Prestwich, Manchester. The Principal Officer, supported by an Inter-agency Liaison Officer attended the Gold/Silver Command facility to support and coordinate the multi-agency response. Shortly after this time, further intelligence emerged that an escalation of the disturbances were likely to occur in Manchester city centre. In response, two ‘marshalling areas’ were established; one at Agecroft Fire Station and another at Manchester Central Fire Station. Marshalling officers were appointed to manage these two areas and were in direct communication with the operations room and Silver Command Liaison at Sedgley Park.
Unusually high demand Four fire engines were located at each of the marshalling areas to ensure sufficient resources were available within the relevant vicinities to deal with the unusually high demands caused by the disturbances. To facilitate extra levels of command and control in the very challenging circumstances, four station managers were utilised to ‘ride’ on the fire engines deployed from the marshalling areas, on a riskassessed basis. Subsequently, three additional pumps were brought into duty – using the flexible operational resource deployment model – extra staff mobilised for the control room for the night shift, six additional flexible duty officers volunteered and were brought in to provide extra support and the operational support room ‘stood-up’ from 2.00pm on 9 August to 1.30am the following day. High demand Throughout that time, the service handled a total of 438 calls across Greater Manchester. These included arson attacks at Miss Selfridge, Manchester city centre, and the Lidl supermarket on Fitzwilliam Street, Salford. During the night, crews attended overturned cars
deployment of about half our appliances, many from the marshalling areas we established in the vicinity of the ‘hot spots’. Having been there most of the night, I can attest to the excellence and commitment from everyone involved under extremely difficult circumstances.
that had been set on fire, buildings being ransacked and looted – and everything in between, including car crashes. In just the first couple of hours the service took over 200 calls. Sadly, firefighters faced a hostile reaction in some areas, coming under attack from bricks, stones and other missiles thrown by youths. Fortunately no operational staff suffered physical injury as a result of these attacks, although seven GMFRS vehicles were damaged as a result of the attacks.
Having been there most of the night, I can attest to the excellence and commitment from everyone involved under extremely difficult circumstances. County Fire Officer and Chief Executive Steve McGuirk said, “The personnel in our control were fantastic, dealing with huge numbers of calls as well as mobilising and supporting the many incidents we attended. All the people supporting the operational activity were equally outstanding – and we had numerous offers across the whole organisation to help. “The crews on the ground – particularly the crews facing the violence in Salford and Manchester – showed incredible professionalism and courage in the face of the most horrendous violence and intimidation. I was in our operations room and control centre until very late, alongside a number of officers and ACO Peter O'Reilly in the Police Gold Control coordinating the fire and rescue response. “We had a very large number of incidents until the early hours of the morning, which involved the
Close working with police “We worked very closely with police colleagues to ensure the safety of our personnel and in determining what to mobilise to and what not to but – on occasions – police colleagues were unable to provide a large contingent of officers to support a response at the level needed, due to the sheer scale and volume of incidents they were facing. So, we did attend incidents where we believed there was a life risk or a serious property risk on our own – trusting the judgement of our front line officers. “In amongst this, we also had two serious incidents not connected to the civil disorder that required 10 appliances. “The staff in our fire control coped extremely well and maintained a calm air of professionalism throughout. And all the officers supporting the coordination of resources managed in an equally professional and resourceful manner. This really was a team effort.”
The clean-up begins Following the disturbances, Manchester Borough Management Team formulated an initiative to support those local businesses affected by the disorder, which impacted heavily on local business and community confidence. Operational crews from around the borough visited over 250 premises directly affected by looting and, in some areas, serious arson attacks. They were strongly supported by fire safety enforcement officers, community fire safety staff, volunteers from the Community Action Team (CAT) and Greater Manchester Police. Boosting the GMFRS presence was the sight of CAT volunteers and cadets who spent days out on the streets, carrying out community reassurance work with traders and shopkeepers in Manchester and Salford. www.manchesterfire.gov.uk
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Ambulance staff on the frontline during the riots London Ambulance Service (LAS) staff were on the frontline during the riots across the capital in August. Around 250 people needed to be assessed and treated during the three nights of violence. They included a man who was shot in Croydon, and later died in hospital, and a man who died four days after being critically injured in Ealing.
The training involves working alongside police officers in hostile scenarios – including coming under attack by missiles and even petrol bombs. Rebecca added, “During the riots, the training just kicked in and I was on auto-pilot. No matter what’s going on around you, you just get on with the job. It’s only afterwards when you have time to reflect on things that it begins to sink in.”
“During the riots, the training just kicked in and I was on auto-pilot.”
Multi agency working Throughout the riots, the LAS worked closely with the police and the fire brigade and regularly reviewed the situation across London in order to ensure crews were able to respond to calls while maintaining the safety of its staff. Chief Executive Peter Bradley said, “Staff in all areas of the organisation responded professionally to the challenges faced during the riots. Everyone did a great job in difficult circumstances and it is great that this has been acknowledged by a range of people.”
As well as those injured as a direct result of the rioting, crews also had to be escorted by the police to attend some patients not involved in the violence but who lived nearby and needed medical help. No staff were injured, although objects were thrown at some vehicles and there were reports of crews being threatened and intimidated while trying to care for patients. A public order team – made up of around 40 paramedics and emergency medical technicians and 15 managers – were on duty throughout the disturbances. Barnehurst Paramedic Rebecca Lang, 29, was part of the team sent to Hackney during the riots. Called to an injured police officer, when she arrived on the scene, bricks and glass bottles were being thrown towards them. She said, “The area was too dangerous to bring an ambulance in, so we managed to get the police officer into our vehicle, take him to Homerton ambulance station and transfer him into an ambulance so we could get him to hospital.” Specialist clothing The team wear special clothing including flameretardant suits, stab vests and trauma protection – in case they are hit by anything being thrown at them.
TV surveillance helps police identify rioters
Messages of support Prime Minister David Cameron and the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall met control room and frontline staff involved in the response, as they visited some of the boroughs that were worst affected by the disorder. Mayor of London Boris Johnson and NHS London Chief Executive Ruth Carnall were also among those to write to the service – along with members of the public who phoned, e-mailed and posted messages of support on social networking site Twitter. Staff organised a clothes swap and raffle, which raised hundreds of pounds to help Londoners who lost their homes in the riots. Marina Koniotou, one of the organisers, said, “I live in Enfield myself, so have seen first-hand how people’s homes have been destroyed by what has happened. Hopefully this money will go some way to helping these people rebuild their lives.”
Blackburn-based Vision Techniques’ innovative mobile CCTV equipment has been helping police to identify rioters and looters in Liverpool and Manchester. The CCTV footage captured hooded rioters in Manchester and Liverpool and was released online by police in a bid to bring justice to those causing chaos in two of the north’s major cities. Multi-camera and digital video recording systems are recognised as an essential tool for the police and emergency services in vehicle safety and security – deterring, apprehending and assisting in the prosecution of offenders. CCTV footage taken from emergency service vehicles has resulted in many convictions in courts throughout London, Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester, not to mention other cities such as Nottingham, which had a police station attacked and burned down. Andrew Kelly, of Vision Techniques, said, “We are proud to be supporting the Greater Manchester and Merseyside police in identifying rioters. Our latest mobile CCTV 360° recording system, VT ‘Live’, is equipped on public sector vehicles throughout the country. We have also installed VT 'Live' to nearly the entire fleet of front line fire and rescue appliances in Wales.” VT ‘Live’ streams real time video footage from vehicle-mounted cameras to any location with the system’s built-in remote connectivity, utilising the cellular data networks.
www.londonambulance.nhs.uk
www.vision-techniques.com
‘Digi-van’ on the lookout for looters Following the public unrest in August, images of looting and disorder suspects are being displayed on a large mobile screen around Birmingham. The ‘Digi-Van’, with a 6m square display unit, was driven around the city centre showing over 50 CCTV images of the wanted people. The van stopped in key central locations for shoppers and commuters to get a good look at the photographs in the hope they can help officers identify possible offenders. Acting Detective Inspector Mark Rushton said, “We’ve already had a fantastic response to the public who have been calling the special information line or emailing us. We’ve taken over 500 calls, which are helping us make arrests.” www.west-midlands.pnn.police.uk
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Supporting good and evil: The role of social media during the 2011 England riots August 2011 saw emergency services stretched to deal with the worst riots England has seen in many years. The role of technology, especially social media applications, for communication among rioters was heavily discussed during and after the events. Concerns that these systems were being used to coordinate illegal acts led some politicians to demand that access be restricted or that they be shut down during the disturbances. This article discusses the role of social media applications during the 2011 England riots and identifies both the benefits and threats posed by these technologies. On 4 August 2011 following a police investigation into gun crime in London, 29-year old Mark Duggan was shot by officers attempting to interview him. He died later at the scene. The exact circumstances of the fatal shooting are still subject to an inquiry launched by Britain’s police watchdog. However, this event was the trigger for a series of civil disturbances, leaving communities in a number of London’s boroughs strongly affected by vandalism, looting and arson. At the peak of the unrests, which took place over four consecutive days spreading to other cities like Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham, a police presence of around 16,000 officers was required to gain back control of the streets. While some politicians and citizens pushed for the military to be brought in to stop the riots, others started to have a closer look at the potential causes and contributing factors of the civil disturbances. Social media applications such as Twitter, Facebook or BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), received a lot of media attention with newspapers and politicians debating the role these new means of communication played. Of special interest was the potential use of social media for organising meetings among rioters and for orchestrating their unlawful actions on the street. During the riots, politicians attempted to construct a convincing argument for closing down social media platforms, arguing that this technology fuelled the unrests. They argued that without it the riots would not have been nearly as widespread. This position – as well as the request to ban potential troublemakers from using social media – was withdrawn after meetings between representatives of leading social media platforms and the Home Office. Reviewing the actions during and after the civil disturbances in August 2011, this article discusses the ways in which social media contributed to: organise and orchestrate groups of people; distribute information about events in real-time; improve situational awareness of events to emergency managers and rioters; and reassure communities in times of crisis. What is social media? Social media is an umbrella term that covers a set of web-based or mobile applications, which allow users to interact by exchanging digital content. Twitter, YouTube, Blackberry Messenger and Facebook are among the most popular platforms, with the latter connecting around 800 million users across the globe. Nowadays, these platforms help users to satisfy their information needs, while being part of global
The Crisees application displays and groups messages, images and videos according to their topical and geographical relevance.
networks with real-time information exchange. Furthermore, they enable users to stay in contact with each other and share messages, pictures or videos within their social network. At the same time mobile devices – such as internet-enabled smartphones – offer users access to these services on a ubiquitous level.
“Emergency services need to enhance their understanding of the messages exchanged in the online sphere in order to manage misinformation and to reassure communities.” Social media applications can be categorised according to their primary use, such as blogs, video and photo sharing communities, social networks etc. BlackBerry Messenger, also named as one of the services to have fuelled the riots, is a proprietary instant messaging service, allowing users of BlackBerry devices to participate in oneto-one or one-to-many communication to exchange media content among existing networks. It is important, however, not to focus only on the role of social media as a negative force in the coordination of anti-social or illegal activities. In particular, the Australian floods on 2010-11 showed how the Queensland Police Services were able to
use microblogging and social networking to quickly distribute vital information, such as public warnings, to large communities. Organising riots via social media As mentioned, social media platforms can be used to coordinate illegal activities. For instance, they can be used by rioters on the ‘scene’ of an incident to provide real-time updates about new targets or locations of police presence. However, even this side to social media is not new. These technologies were used to coordinate some of the protesters during the G20 summit in London 2009 as well as during the anti-cuts protests in London 2011. Theses demonstrations saw the development of specific applications that improved the protesters’ situational awareness by using publicly shared information about police movements. During the 2011 England riots, the penetration of BlackBerry devices among the population actively involved in the riots might have contributed to a change in the nature of communications channels used by rioters. BBM, in comparison to Twitter or Facebook, is of a more covert nature, as messages are only distributed amongst existing closed networks, rather than to a wider public audience. The implementation of information security mechanisms like encryption – resulting from Blackberry’s initially targeted customers in the business sector – additionally protects the information exchanged via BBM from being read by an intercepting third-party outside the network. Even though Facebook and Twitter also allow message exchange between restricted, closed networks, information is more commonly shares with the wider online community.
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Consequences of calling for action Almost 3000 suspects have been arrested for their involvement in the riots. In Scotland, where no riots took place, some individuals have also been arrested for distributing riot-inciting messages via social networks. Gordon Scobbie, Deputy Chief Constable of Tayside Police, said that during the unrests in England, police officers trained to work with social media applications have been actively monitoring information exchanged on the various platforms. The potential cascading effects and the consequences that spreading such messages via social media platforms can have was also acknowledged by courts in England. They ordered prison sentences of up to four years for some individuals who distributed riot-inciting messages via social networks. Organising actions to support communities via social media The summer riots of 2011 are not the only civil disturbances to have been influenced by the role of social media. Groups in Vancouver, Canada provide a further example of the positive application of this technology. They used social media to coordinate a public ‘clean up’ after parts of their city had been affected by riots. Following this example, social media users in England started to rally for clean ups in riot-affected cities such as London, Manchester or Liverpool via Twitter, using a #riotcleanup hashtag. Communities demonstrated that they want to make a change, and are not willing to surrender to the rioters. The project was well received by other social media users, who spread the word quickly
within their networks making #riotcleanup the number one trending topic on Twitter within two days for the UK. A number of celebrities, including Simon Pegg and Stephen Fry, worked to promote this initiative across their more than five million followers on Twitter. Managing rumours and misinformation Using trusted sources for information distribution is also important when it comes to managing rumours and misinformation. While social media networks are usually good in selfpolicing when it comes to misinformation, the increased volume of messages during crisis times can help to propagate misleading information. It is important for officials to reassure communities and to provide trusted updates on a regular basis. This takes away the space for rumours to be spread, while satisfying the information need of people living in affected communities. Superintendent Mark Payne took to the streets of Wolverhampton in order to find out about the actual events in the city. He provided first-hand updates about the situation as it unfolded and shared his insights with the rest of the world via his Twitter account. Acknowledging SI Payne’s efforts to reassure the community as a trusted source, the number of people regularly subscribing to information from his account increased by 5000 followers within 24 hours. Also aiming to reassure communities and manage misinformation, Staffordshire Police engaged in direct communication, employing various social media channels. While YouTube was used to update people about the situation
with ‘press conference’-like video messages, the force’s Twitter and Facebook accounts were also regularly updated. It is important to recognise that in times of crisis, citizens in affected areas depend on information from trusted sources to provide them with a better understanding of complex and dynamic situations. Therefore, emergency services need to enhance their understanding of the messages exchanged in the online sphere in order to manage misinformation and to reassure communities. Social media intelligence gathering The increased volume of information exchanged via social media platforms during adverse events can also provide emergency services with significant insights into the changing nature of the threats that they face. However, monitoring and processing social media streams is both resource intensive and difficult. In an interview with the Guardian, Jenny Jones, former Deputy Mayor of London, said that, “It is quite possible if they had more resources they could have picked up on that”, referring to the riot-inciting messages with these streams. A group of engineers in the School of Computing Science at the University of Glasgow are working with individual emergency services to address the problems in monitoring many different streams of information across social networks. These tools facilitate event monitoring and visualisation using real-time information. One such application is called Crisees, which provides improved situational awareness to emergency managers.
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The Crisees application displays and groups messages, images and videos according to their topical and geographical relevance. The Glasgow group has developed advanced techniques to filter and monitor the information exchanged on social media. The aim is to provide the ‘social media intelligence’ that is increasingly required to inform tactical and strategic decision-making. The impact of this information can be illustrated by the Metropolitan Police decision to cancel the annual Hackney Carnival. Their intelligence gathering efforts identified messages on Twitter, which named the event as a potential target. Lessons learned from social media before, during and after a crisis The review of the actions during and after the summer riots in England highlighted the role that social media applications played for communication between people. While a small minority exploited the technology to distribute riot-inciting messages and to orchestrate groups of individuals on the street, the majority of people used social media to inform, update and support others. A number of positive examples from individuals, such as SI Payne, or organisations, such as Staffordshire Police, have also been identified. In order for the emergency services to provide trusted information to the public using social media outlets, it is important that they develop and sustain a social media communication strategy well before an incident occurs. Unless these communication channels are established there is little likelihood that members of the public will find and use them among the mass of other information that is disseminated during such
adverse events. Interviewed at a meeting of the Working Group for Social Media in Emergency Management in Scotland, DCC Gordon Scobbie said that one of the biggest lessons learned from the recent unrests in England might be that, “Police forces need to facilitate training for and build up experience with social media platforms in normal times, so that they are ready to use then established infrastructures with trained officers to deal with the increased communication demands during times of crisis.” It is important to recognise that people affected by a crisis event, are in constant need of up-to-date information. The real-time information exchange of most social media platforms can help to facilitate this. Trusted accounts play a vital role. The less information available from trusted, reliable sources the higher the likelihood of rumours and misinformation. Even after an event, social media platforms can prove beneficial to emergency services. Information exchanged via these sites – especially those used for video and photo sharing – often contain useful information for subsequent police investigations. Members of the public can be encouraged to come forward and share their videos, photos and other information. DCC Gordon Scobbie mentioned that, “as part of the post riot identification by the Metropolitan Police around 25 percent of the people prosecuted have been identified using images shared on Flickr.” Understanding the benefits Increasing numbers of people participating in social networks and online communities, as well as novel technology, that makes access to services almost ubiquitous, contributes to a continuous
change in communication behaviour. Increased volumes of factually relevant information will be exchanged via social networks. Police, fire and rescue, and ambulance services not only need to understand the importance of these communications channels, but also the potential benefit they could gain through social media adoption, for example to: reassure communities, through continuous updates on the situation using trusted accounts; manage misinformation and counteract rumours spread by individuals; engage with members of the communities in a two-way communication allowing them to ask questions, as well as to inform agencies directly from the ‘scene’; and gather intelligence information for operations and analysis before, during and after events. Social media application can enhance communication strategies of emergency services, but in order to be able to reap the fruits of labour in times of crisis, first steps for adopting new technologies need to be taken now. www.dcs.gla.ac.uk
Acknowledgements: Thanks to Prof Chris Johnson, Dr Leif Azzopardi and Mr David Maxwell from the School of Computing Science, Prof Sarah Oates from the School of Politics and DCC Gordon Scobbie for feedback on this article. Author: Stefan Raue, Research Assistant, School of Computing Science, University of Glasgow. DCC Gordon Scobbie will be speaking at The Emergency Services Show Conference 2011 on 23 November. He is taking part in a panel discussion entitled ‘Effective social media for the emergency services’. For more details visit www.emergencyuk.com/conference
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PageOne celebrates 25 years of innovation Over the past quarter century, PageOne has become one of the UK’s leading mobile technology companies and a pioneer of messaging innovations, allowing thousands of organisations within the public sector to communicate more effectively. As 2011 marks PageOne’s 25th anniversary, Chris Jones, CEO defines what innovation means to him and why it has been key to PageOne’s longevity and success within the messaging arena. When referring to the term ‘innovation’ we often think of the introduction of something new or a significant improvement upon a commodity that already exists. This notion also rings true for PageOne, but more importantly genuine innovation should have the potential to generate substantial positive change not just in terms of products, but also efficiency, quality and delivery of service. These key attributes have undoubtedly helped mould the foundations of the PageOne to which many public sector organisations across the UK entrust their communications and, most importantly, on which they depend in the most demanding circumstances.
“PageOne was the first company to use satellite technology to distribute radio data for paging, the first to develop e-mail on the move and the first to launch a pay as you go communications device.” Innovation is key A desire and commitment to innovate has been central to PageOne’s growth, ever since it was formed in 1986. Technology has undeniably moved on leaps and bounds since then, but by embedding such a philosophy at the root of the business, has presented a powerful mechanism to offer true innovation and expand market boundaries. Rather than attempting to compete in an overcrowded market, innovation has enabled the business to establish a real edge and develop an uncontested marketplace where the customer really is at the heart of operations. Not only has an insight into customer wants and needs combined with a passion and drive for creativity strengthened PageOne’s dominance in the mobile messaging arena; but such an ethos has also contributed to a number of industry firsts. A pioneer in its own right PageOne was the first company to use satellite technology to distribute radio data for paging, the first to develop e-mail on the move and the first to launch a pay as you go communications device. Building on the success of these massive accomplishments, the company went on to develop its own flexible messaging platform Oventus, which enabled the seamless integration of SMS and mobile messaging across different networks and
technologies. It was this launch, which marked a pivotal landmark in PageOne’s history, epitomising innovation at its best – efficiency, quality and delivery of service. Further acknowledgement from the European Mobile Messaging Association (EMMA), in the form of two separate awards for innovation further cemented the company’s ingenuity and ability to redefine the rules of engagement. The ability to communicate with colleagues ‘on the move’ and to coordinate a response from a single point of command was integral to making the public sector workforce more effective and improving the emergency services’ ability to operate. Catalyst for change The magnitude of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the 7/7 bombings in London and even localised natural disasters such as the Gloucester flooding forced a re-assessment of every aspect of planned responses – in essence these circumstances provided a real catalyst for change and highlighted the need for interoperability. In response to growing customer need, Flare was born – a dedicated web-based messaging suite, which presented a much-needed set of customisable tools to communicate in any business critical situation. In fact, the benefits of Flare have encouraged a number of organisations to consolidate their messaging infrastructure into one solution not solely for business continuity applications, but also for day-to-day operational tasks. Furthermore, 2010 saw the launch of the Responder – the UK’s first MTPAS-enabled twoway pager. This marked another momentous occasion for PageOne by developing an innovative product that not only capitalised on the tried, tested and trusted benefits of paging, but also the additional capability to acknowledge and respond to a paging broadcast. The Responder has
reinvigorated the paging market for the 21st Century and once again ensured PageOne continues to deliver a substantial positive change and indeed genuine innovation. Looking to an even brighter future For a great number of organisations the cost of investing in systems and processes is often prohibitive. Therefore, mobile applications, which extend the functionality of an existing handset can help remove the need for investment in dedicated hardware, and provide a cost-effective alternative for communications. The proliferation of smartphone devices has presented PageOne with another opportunity to once again demonstrate true innovation within the marketplace. The company’s soon to be launched smartphone messaging services build upon the features of the PageOne Responder and address some of the current challenges faced by its customers. Features such as a dedicated inbox and alert for critical messages, as well as a lone worker function fulfil a much-needed void in the market. Important milestone PageOne’s 25th anniversary is an important milestone and one that the company is delighted to celebrate with its employees, customers and everyone that has supported PageOne over the years. The roadmap for 2011 and beyond is certain to be even brighter than has been accomplished over the last 25 years. We have now set a precedent and will continue to thrive on our knowledge, passion, customer insight and commitment to innovation – a foundation that has without doubt put us in good stead and helped shape our past successes and future endeavours. www.pageone.co.uk
Author: Chris Jones, CEO, PageOne.
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New organisation for ambulance chief executives launched A new organisation, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), has been formally established and launched in the UK. The AACE now represents the chief executives of all 11 NHS ambulance trusts (and all 12 services including the Isle of Wight), as well as those affiliated ambulance services operating in the devolved administrations and Crown dependencies. The new organisation is envisaged as a critical point of contact with partner agencies, in particular the Department of Health and other emergency Steve West, Interim Director of the AACE. services at a national level. It Coordinate national strategy provides NHS ambulance services with a platform Great Western Ambulance Service Director of for the coordination, management and Operations Steve West was appointed as Interim implementation of key national programmes, Director of the AACE in September. He said, which are crucial to the ongoing development and improvement of the ambulance service. It will build “These are challenging times for ambulance services and it has become increasingly apparent on the work previously undertaken by the former that we need a properly resourced, central Ambulance Chief Executive’s Group (ACEG). organisation that has the ability to coordinate
national strategy for the ambulance service at the highest levels. Therefore I am delighted that we have been able to establish the AACE, at a time when the focus of ambulance services is firmly on performance – but without reducing the high quality of care we deliver to our patients. The AACE will help individual ambulance services to work more closely together in a joined up way, to ensure greater efficiency and a more effective national ambulance service. “The creation of the AACE is about establishing a highly visible organisation that is able to link effectively with other national bodies to develop policy and progress national work programmes in an effective and efficient way.” Work is now underway on the development of a new AACE website (www.aace.org.uk), which will be launched on Stand 472 at The Emergency Services Show in Coventry, 23-24 November 2011. www.aace.org.uk
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Rescue turns to recovery at the Gleision Mine incident The incident at Gleision Mine, Cilybebyll, South Wales, started differently from the norm, as the call for assistance on 15 September was not received from the mine as it should have been, but from the fire and rescue service. At 9.35am they reported that there had been an inrush at Gleision and five men were missing. Dinas Mines Rescue Station went operational immediately. By 10.00am it was realised that additional pumps may be required, and these were sourced from local mines. While still in transit, the Mines Rescue team received an update from the fire and rescue service to say that the Mine Manager had escaped from the mine, possibly through old workings. The unusual nature of the incident continued. Dinas Mines Rescue Service arrived on site at 10.25am. They would normally have been met by a member of the mine management, who would have given them information regarding the situation, such as: underground conditions; what was being undertaken prior to the incident; the location of the men; and an up-to-date mine plan. The reality was that as the Mine Manager had been affected by the incident and no Mine Surveyor was available, meaning there was limited information available to the rescue teams. The first rescue team underground investigated the main access from the surface drift to the working area, and found it was totally flooded and impassable. Following an examination of the mine plans that were available, a rescue team was deployed into the old workings to attempt to follow the path thought to have been taken by the Mine Manager in order to locate any persons who may have followed him. To maintain communication with the surface, the team used the mComm communication system, the only effective means of communication available to them. Additional resources were requested from Dinas Mines Rescue Station; these included chemical oxygen escape sets and environmental monitors. By 11.45am the rescue team was back on the surface, having been turned back in the old workings due to low oxygen content and poor roadway conditions. By 11.46am additional pumps had been installed in the main drift and the water level began to recede. At 12.55pm, rescue teams, complete with long
duration (four-hour) breathing apparatus, were deployed once again to search the old workings. This again proved that the mine workings were flooded with water and slurry. At 3.35pm, back-up Mines Rescue teams from the Midlands and Yorkshire Stations arrived on site, along with the Chief Operating Officer and the Operations Manager (Midlands). By 6.30pm it was clear that the pumps were having an effect and the water was receding. A decision was taken to deploy cave rescue divers to attempt to get through the receding pool of water. By the early hours of Friday 16 September the dive team had managed to pass through the water but were met by a barrier of debris further into the heading. The Mines Rescue teams were deployed to clear the debris immediately the water level had dropped sufficiently to enter. The four missing
mineworkers were then located in turn and each brought to the surface, with all clear by 5.30pm. All teams were withdrawn from the mine following the recovery of the fourth body. Recovery operation This was a large multi-agency recovery operation and the assistance provided to the Mines Rescue Service from the following organisations was outstanding, especially with regard to the remoteness and difficulty of access: Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service; South Wales Fire and Rescue Service; the South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team; South Wales Police; Great Western Ambulance Service HART unit; the Welsh Ambulance Service, and many unnamed others. Support was also provided by Neath Port Talbot Borough Council, WRVS and the Red Cross, as well as countless other volunteers. The resources, both in the form of trained rescue workers, craftsmen and equipment provided by the local mine owners throughout the duration of the incident were fantastic. Additional offers of assistance were also received from the entire mining community in the UK. These offers included provision of drill rigs and pumps from suppliers etc. The outcome was not what we had hoped for, but nothing and no-one could have done more. The investigation is continuing into this incident. www.minesrescue.com
Author: Andrew Watson, Commercial Manager, Mines Rescue Service Ltd.
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Cave rescue expertise called upon at South Wales colliery disaster At 3.30pm on 16 September 2011 South Wales Fire and Rescue Service contacted the South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team (SMWCRT) to assist in the response to a working coal mine where an inrush of water from old workings had flooded the lower section where seven miners were working. Some of the team were aware of the incident through the media and it was suspected that the fire and rescue service might be looking for diver assistance. Knowing that the Mines Rescue Service was on site, it was decided that one of our members (who lived quite close to the site) should go directly to the incident and get first hand information from the incident commander. The team Land Rover was held at Penwyllt (our depot) while local members were put on standby and others called out. When it was confirmed, by our first member on site, that cave divers were required, the Land Rover was stocked with the comprehensive dive rescue equipment we hold and then deployed. It was obvious (from the media coverage) that many agencies were on site and as our team is not trained, experienced or equipped for rescue from working coal mines (with very different conditions to those which we are normally deployed) the callout was limited to a support team and cave divers. Gleison Colliery 15 Sept 2011. Schematic of accident area (not to scale). The support included a team member who is also a mining low oxygen levels and were then redeployed with engineer and knows most of the Mine Rescue team re-breathers. The search reached flood levels at all professionally, including their officers and the HSE accessible points with no sign of the missing Mines Inspector; he also knew one of the three miners. High level workings above the flood level miners that escaped the inrush and one of the missing men. This member was also able to discuss were inaccessible by any dry route but connected to the area the miners had been working. the mine plan with a mining surveyor and assure himself, and the divers, that there was a chance of Dry reconnaissance an air pocket and that men could have reached it. At 8.00pm two cave divers entered the mine to The total team committed initially was onsite was conduct a dry reconnaissance. Pumping had five, plus two divers and 17 members, including created a short air space and their opinion was that four divers, on standby. Two divers (one of whom they could dive. Inter agency briefings were held was travelling with another team member) were and it was decided by the incident commander that called later. if two other divers were present, fully kitted, at the The inrush, it is believed, had breached the dive base then, after a final check of levels and working face. Two miners working closer to the conditions, a dive would be undertaken. There was entrance escaped into higher levels and got out. A a suggestion that hardwire communications third miner came out of an old entrance by a route between the divers and dive base be used. The at the time unknown (he was too ill in hospital to divers informed the incident commander and the be questioned) about 75 minutes later. Four miners HM Inspector of Mines (HSE) that it was standard were missing. The alarm was raised at about practice to use a dive line from dive base and that 9.20am. As soon as the Mines Rescue were on site more pumps had been installed to reduce the water headphones, mics and wires would compromise the safety of the dive. This was accepted. levels and searches of the upper levels and old At 10.30pm two more divers were onsite and a workings conducted. Mines Rescue encountered
final check of the pumps and the water conditions undertaken by Mines Rescue. At 12.30am (Friday) two divers entered the water. The divers were operating on a plan agreed between them, the incident commander, Mines Rescue and HMIM. The dive plan The plan was: to proceed with caution through the flooded section looking for snags and damage to the passage, if upon reaching an airspace, to proceed under air (dive gags in as foul air might be present) to check the first of two side headings without entering, to move up the gently rising ‘main’ passage to the working heading but not to enter and finally to go to the end of the ‘main’ passage some 140m from the dive base; at all times to examine the roof and supports for damage; and to return to the dive base and report. There would be no attempt to recover or rescue any miners found. The SMWCRT had the kit onsite to be able to supply trapped casualties with all the sustenance required until the pumps cleared the flood water and one of the divers present was an Advanced Cave Rescue First Aider. All four divers were equipped (as normal) with two independent dive sets (cylinder, mouth piece and contents gauge) several lights and spare line reels. Cave diving procedure is the ‘Thirds’ rule: one third in, one third out and one third reserve. At 1.30am all divers were back on the surface. The dive length was 30m, in better visibility than expected, in approximately 800mm of water over 800mm of slurry – with a conveyor belt running the whole length of the main passage. The main passage was rising from the shallow V at the deepest point and, after wading some 40m in slurry and debris, the body of one missing miner was discovered. After tagging the body the divers moved forward some further 50m to where the working heading branched off. At this point a jumble of wooden pit props and debris washed in by the inrush blocked both the main passage and the working heading and no further progress could be
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made. Shouting and flashing lights drew no response and the divers returned without seeing any further casualties. The divers were able to report that the main passage was undamaged and at the blockage at the junction of the main passage and working heading the roof supports were in place with no sign of roof collapse. The 700mm high side passage, nearest the dive base, which led to some old workings was not seen – possibly under slurry or behind the damaged conveyor belt. Inter-agency debrief After an inter-agency debrief the cave rescue controller suggested that cave rescue had played its role and that, as Mines Rescue was more than capable, trained and had the right equipment to conduct a search and rescue when the pumps had cleared the flood, we should stand down. This was agreed and by 4.00am all team members had left the site. For the team our contribution was over. Some 12 hours later the pumping allowed Mines Rescue to conduct a search. At 6.00pm on Friday it was announced that all of the missing miners had been found dead. What, until the discovery of the final missing miner, was conducted throughout as a search and recovery operation now became a recovery. This was a first for the SMWCRT. We do not cover working coal mines, have the training, equipment or the wish to do so. Working coal mines, with the associated dangers of fire and foul air, are not caves or abandoned mineral mines. The Mines Rescue Service is extremely competent, well trained and equipped. All of us have the greatest respect for what they do. However the SMWCRT was treated as equals throughout the incident by all agencies. We had that one skill set that the police, Mines Rescue Service or fire and rescue service do not have. All of the agencies worked as a team and there was never any question of any of the agencies quoting HSE rules. All actions were considered and it was Generic Risk Assessment at its best. There were some minor hiccups that the team will address – hardly surprising in such an unusual (for us) callout. You cannot have failed to notice the extensive media coverage. We have never experienced so many interviews. Without editorial control one can only hope that something out of order is not said (or wheedled out) and we think that, on the whole, the press interviews with us (and all of the rescue agencies) were presented pretty faithfully, apart from early reports that the divers had been turned back due to conditions (they were confusing the rescue dive with the reconnaissance dive). At the time of writing investigations by the police and HM Inspector of Mines are underway. When they are complete we may learn more about the cause of the inrush. www.smwcrt.org
The South & Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team was first formed in 1946 as part of the South Wales Caving Club. A history and information about the team may be found on the website. Author: Brian Jopling, Warden and Controller SMWCRT, Equipment Officer British Cave Rescue Council.
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HART support at Welsh mine rescue effort A number of national specialist rescue agencies were quickly mobilised to the scene of the Gleision Colliery incident, including the Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) unit, which maintains a one hour notice to move anywhere in the UK.
HART paramedics are trained to operate in confined space and can utilise breathing apparatus if the air is compromised. The Welsh HART team is not due to go live until 2012 so the nearest live team was mobilised across the Severn Bridge from North Bristol. The forward point of the rescue operation was at the principal entrance to the main mine shaft. This location was extremely difficult to access and the only NHS vehicles able to get close were the HART 6x6 all-terrain Polaris vehicle and a medical Land Rover. Multi-agency response The GWAS HART team was accompanied by a Tactical Advisor to ensure effective liaison with the Welsh Ambulance Service and support the development of an NHS tactical plan. This was extremely well received by the multi-agency representatives. HART established a forward medical treatment area to initially receive and treat any casualties. The team was also cleared to penetrate the main mine shaft up to 150m as part of a joint fire and rescue service and ambulance emergency team should NHS level interventions be required. The Welsh Ambulance Service established a medical evacuation point in a nearby farmyard, which was the only point accessible by road vehicles for over a mile. Helicopter and road ambulance assets were stood by at this point to receive any casualties extracted from the scene by the HART Polaris 6x6 vehicle. This was a protracted
incident lasting over 36 hours and HART were required to provide medical cover to over 150 specialist rescue workers who were operating in an extremely dangerous structure. HART is a self-sufficient unit, which can remain on scene for several days (or even weeks) if required. Welfare provisions and remote scene lighting carried by the team were also very well received by the rescue workers. In accordance with standard practice for national HART deployments, the neighbouring units (West Midlands and South Central) were briefed and widened their coverage areas to backfill any incidents in the GWAS patch while the GWAS team operated in Wales. National recognition The whole response went particularly well. HART’s contribution to the incident was formally recognised on the second day when the Government’s Welsh Secretary, Mrs Cheryl Gillan, attended the incident ground and spent some time talking to the HART Team Leader. Mrs Gillan also passed on the thanks of the Prime Minister. While the outcome was tragic for the four trapped miners and their families, the medical response and support provided by the HART unit was highly praised by the multi-agency command group. Staff operated to an extremely high standard while under the constant scrutiny of national broadcast and print media. The national HART Programme sends its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the deceased miners. www.ambulancehart.org
Emergency Services Times November 2011
30 | UNDERGROUND EMERGENCIES
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London Underground Emergency Response Unit deals with more than just ‘one unders’ “Who is the Emergency Response Unit?” Ask many of London Underground’s staff and they’ll reply, “They’re the ones who pick up the pieces after one unders.” While completely true, this statement is just part of the picture. Dealing with persons under trains is only one of the many things undertaken by the London Underground Emergency Response Unit (ERU). The ERU, managed by Tube Lines (a subsidiary of Transport for London), is a specialist unit capable of dealing with any emergency incident arising on the London Underground network. Its teams have the skills and training to ensure that each is resolved professionally, quickly and, most importantly, safely. The unit operates from four locations: Acton Town, Camden, Stratford and Battersea. Strategically placed to ensure maximum coverage of the London Underground network, each operational location has two custom-built response vehicles, which carry a large array of tools and specialist equipment. At least three locations are manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to ensure total coverage for the London Underground network.
The London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance staff, Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) and Hazardous Area Rescue Team (HART) all receive training from the ERU on track safety and how to work around or under trains. The role of the ERU is defined by its core and non-core activities. Core activities are incidents, which may cause danger (actual or threatened) or delay to Underground trains and the customers they carry. With over four million passengers on
some days and over a billion journeys a year, trains held in tunnels could easily turn into serious incidents. Core activities include train collisions, derailments, persons under trains, broken rails, track obstructions, rolling stock problems (like seized axles or brakes hanging on), stalled trains, tunnel problems, flooding, requests for mutual aid from other emergency services and security fencing breaches. Emergency services training A key non-core activity is emergency services training. The London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance staff, Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) and Hazardous Area Rescue Team (HART) all receive training from the ERU on track safety and how to work around or under trains. This has ensured a close working relationship with the emergency services in London and has led to requests for help with major incidents beyond the Underground, like the Potters Bar, Hatfield and Paddington rail crashes. To enable the ERU to carry out its core activities, vast amounts of tools and equipment are required. When a train has derailed it takes a lot of work and tools to get it back onto the rails – heavy duty hydraulic jacks to lift it, steel alloy plates to go beneath, wheeled cradles for the wheels, winches or hydraulic rams to line up the wheels with the rails. All the equipment to do this is carried on the vehicles. If a broken rail is found, the ERU’s teams determine whether to clamp and install a speed restriction to allow trains to safely run before the rail is repaired at night, or whether the rail needs to be replaced immediately, which might require disc
saws or electric band saws to cut the rail, drills and specialist equipment to move heavy rails. For flooding, vehicles carry submersible pumps. Trees are a common problem so the ERU vehicles carry chainsaws, bow saws and axes. Security fencing being cut could lead to casualties and the public being endangered so the teams carry emergency fencing repair panels and fixings.
Passenger incidents The ERU does have to deal with passenger incidents, including persons under trains. This may involve assisting with releasing a trapped casualty or removing a deceased person. They then thoroughly clean the area before trains can run and passengers re-enter. The ERU vehicles carry the equipment to do all this, including an innovative new dispenser for the materials used to clean up body fluids. Based on a fire extinguisher, it was designed by an ERU team member and is now being used by other emergency services. So the next time someone asks, “who is the ERU?” the answer will probably still be “they’re the ones that deal with the one unders” but hopefully people will realise they also do much more. www.tubelines.com/whatwedo/eru.aspx
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CONTRACTS & PEOPLE | 33
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EMAS boosts efficiency with mobile reporting technology Panasonic Toughbooks are helping to revolutionise the way East Midlands Ambulance Service crews record patient information while on the road, improving patient care and driving efficiencies to create millions of pounds of savings for the NHS. East Midlands will be the first ambulance service nationally to have fully completed its Electronic Patient Report Form (EPRF) system roll-out. With the EPRF system and the help of Panasonic’s Toughbook mobile computing devices, crew members can electronically record vital information about their patients while at the scene of an emergency. Using the CF-19 Toughbook devices, this quick and easy system means important health information can be sent to the receiving hospital ahead of the patient’s arrival, or to their GP, and removes the need for time-intensive paperwork. At the start of a shift, crews log on to the system using their Toughbook rugged notebook. Control Despatchers can then send incident information directly to the Toughbook while the crew is on road. As well as assisting the crews in their emergency calls the information
recorded also allows ambulance service administrators to capture and analyse treatment data in real-time, helping them to more efficiently manage the emergency service. East Midlands Ambulance Service’s Head of ICT, Andy Evans, said, “We quickly realised that the Panasonic Toughbooks were right for the job we wanted to do in the field. A lot of the time our crews are out in the cold, wet and snow, and in dirty con-
ditions, such as under cars at road traffic accidents. In these conditions it is very often impossible to keep the equipment clean and dry and they regularly take hard knocks. “Our objective is to be able to offer our patients the very best care, in the best location in the fastest possible time and the Toughbooks help us achieve this more efficiently than ever before.” www.toughbook.eu
Police forces to New Met Commissioner adds new share information blood to his management team management Bernard Hogan-Howe has been department appointed Commissioner of the MetThe police authorities for Hampshire and Thames Valley and have signed a legal agreement to create a single department for delivering information management. Police staff working in both forces will work together in one department managed by Thames Valley Police as the host force. Building on successful collaboration projects within the southeast region, the Information Management Unit collaboration between the services provides real opportunities to enhance and improve the services delivered to the public. In the foreword to the agreement, it states, ‘This joint unit will allow both forces to share and manage their data and records, ensuring crucial information is fit for purpose, held responsibly and shared lawfully. The creation of this collaborative function will also enable both forces to realise cost reductions and enhance the resilience of the service in a way that would not be achievable individually’. www.hampshirepoliceauthority.org www.tvpa.police.uk
ropolitan Police Service, following Sir Paul Stephenson’s departure earlier this year. Home Secretary Theresa May said, “I am delighted to announce Bernard Hogan-Howe as the new Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. As you would expect for such a prestigious position, we had an exceptional field of candidates, but Bernard Hogan-Howe impressed us all with his vision for the Metropolitan Police, his commitment to cutting crime and the important work he has done for the public. “I made my recommendation following representations from the Metropolitan Police Authority and discussions with the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. “The Government's reforms are transforming the police in this country and Bernard Hogan-Howe has the skills and experience needed to ensure the nation's biggest force is at the forefront of this change. “London is a great city and will next year host the biggest sporting event in this nation's history. I am confident
In brief . . . Staffordshire, Lancashire and West Yorkshire are all welcoming new Assistant Chief Constables to their forces. Mark Milsom has been appointed Assistant Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, where he takes over from Mark Gilmore who has moved on to the role of Deputy Chief Constable of Northumbria Police. Julian Blazeby has taken over as Assistant Chief Constable at Staffordshire from Marcus Beale, who moved to West Midlands Police. ACC Blazeby joins from Norfolk Constabulary where he was Acting Assistant Chief Constable between June 2010 and January 2011. In Lancashire, Peter White has been promoted to Assistant Chief Constable after 28 years in the force in various roles. He takes over from Wendy Walker, Lancashire’s highest-ranking female police officer, who retired at the end of August. www.staffordshire.police.uk www.lancashire.police.uk www.westyorkshire.police.uk
Professor Sir Keith Porter, knighted in the last New Year’s Honours List for his work with the treatment of injured soldiers at Selly Oak Hospital, has become the President of the British Association for Immediate Care (BASICS). Sir Keith takes over the Presidency as the General Medical Council adopts the subject of Pre-hospital Emergency Medicine as a sub-speciality and a vocational training programme is developed for doctors wishing to specialise in the subject. www.basics.org.uk
he will lead the fight against crime with determination and vigour.” Acting Commissioner Tim Godwin will carry on his role once more as Deputy Commissioner. Commissioner Hogan-Howe has appointed two new Assistant Commissioners – Mark Rowley, who was Chief Constable at Surrey Police, and Simon Byrne, former Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police.
Telford based SP Services, the leading supplier of medical, first aid, ambulance paramedic and emergency rescue equipment, has appointed Ian Perrin as Northern Sales Manager, as part of the company’s continuing expansion into the coming year. SP Managing Director Steve Bray said, “Ian’s extensive experience will enable him to empathise with the requirements of our diverse customers and he is ideally placed to represent SP’s customers in Northern England and Scotland.” Along with the recent appointment of Trevor Mulcahy, Sales Manager for Ireland, SP Services can now dedicate even more time and resources to making sure that each of its customers, countrywide, are getting the best products at the best price. SP has also embarked on another massive journey to new purpose built premises in Telford, which will enable even more products to be stocked ready to be shipped at a moments notice to its ever growing customer base.
www.met.police.uk
www.spservices.co.uk
Emergency Services Times November 2011
34 | CONTRACTS & PEOPLE
In brief . . . The Capita Group Plc has acquired Cedar HR Software Limited (‘Cedar’) for £15m on a debt free, cash free basis. Cedar, part of the Advanced Computer Software Group, is a leading provider of human resource management software to UK policing. Alongside Capita’s acquisition of SunGard Public Sector last year and Beat Systems Ltd earlier this year, the acquisition brings new market opportunities to Capita, particularly in the area of outsourced services to police authorities. Cedar already provides software to 30 of the UK’s 53 forces and its largest clients include Greater Manchester, North Yorkshire and Thames Valley police. Andy Parker, joint Chief Operating Officer of the Capita Group, said, “This acquisition adds both innovation and breadth to our solutions for police forces. Given the challenges the sector faces, we believe our offering will provide police forces with real opportunities to drive down costs, improve services to citizens and accelerate their transformational journey.” www.capita.co.uk
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and Tayside Fire and Rescue have both selected the services of IBM software. PSNI will be using IBM Business Analytics software to help officers quickly identify and respond to crime trends, reduce incidents and improve data sharing across its stations. The software helps to forecast crime ‘hotspots’ and allocate resources accordingly by identifying incident patterns. Tayside Fire and Rescue will improve the management of critical fire fighting and emergency response assets and check the entire life cycle of vital equipment with the implementation of IBM’s Maximo® Asset Management software. The software has already saved the time related to the processing of requests for repairs of PPE by 10 percent and the service anticipates that to rise to 30 percent once the system is fully in place. www.ibm.com/software/uk/data/cognos/
A London Ambulance Service clinical telephone advisor has been recognised for her hard work and commitment to patient care. Andrea Ray, who worked on the road treating patients for six years before joining the clinical telephone advice team in 2009, won the ‘Clinical Advisor of the Year’ award from Priority Solutions – the company that produces the computer support software. Andrea’s role involves giving medical advice over the phone to people who have called 999 but might not necessarily need an ambulance. www.londonambulance.nhs.uk
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Mersey Tunnels Police adopts APD TETRA solution APD Communications has announced that Mersey Tunnels Police has deployed a highly cost-effective TETRA communications platform based on the Cortex Software Integrated Communications Control System (SICCS). Mersey Tunnels Police now has access to group communications with neighbouring forces and services for the first time, at a fraction of the capital and operational cost of a typical Airwave system. APD has provided a direct integration between Mersey Tunnels Police’s existing CORTEX software platform and the Sepura SRG3500 Mobile Gateway, which acts as a TETRA base station suitable for the force’s small geographic footprint. The combination provides the small force with all of the required communications functionality: individual and group calling, text messaging and most importantly the ability to select and scan talk groups from British Transport Police, local forces and other emergency services. However it doesn’t require the purchase and maintenance of any CCI ports for direct access to the nationwide Airwave network. Anthony Tierney, Chief Inspector, Mersey Tunnels Police, said, “Our
remit and location mean that communication with the forces and services around us is vital, but a typical Airwave solution just wasn’t realistic for a force of our size. APD has really taken the need for forces to do more with less to heart and provided a powerful solution with minimal drain on our resources.” The Cortex SICCS system is designed for the needs of the modern emergency services, combining radio dispatch, call handling, video monitoring and web services; allowing
Lead role for Keith Bristow at the National Crime Agency Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police, Keith Bristow has been appointed to lead the National Crime Agency (NCA). Phil Robson, Chair of Warwickshire Police Authority, said, “We are delighted that our Chief Constable has been chosen to lead the NCA, which will play an important role alongside all police forces in protecting communities. Under Keith’s leadership, Warwickshire has reduced all crime by 27.6 percent since 2006. Offences of serious violence have reduced by 24 percent; burglary of homes is down 29 percent and robbery reduced by 39 percent in the same period. “Keith has been an outstanding leader and has already worked at national and international level to build relationships between police services and law enforcement agencies in many countries. We are delighted that he will continue to deliver important protection to local communities in Warwickshire by tackling serious and organised crime nationally and internationally.” Chief Constable Bristow said, “I shall be working closely with Chief
control room operators to conduct their duties effortlessly. APD’s experience with larger control room operations means the system is known for its ability to scale, but the experience of Mersey Tunnels Police shows that it is equally applicable in more tactical, cost-constrained environments. Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service are already using Cortex’s VoIP capabilities to share spare CCI ports freed up through pooling by their neighbour, Wiltshire Police. www.apdcomms.com
Amor improves FRS IT security in south west
Constables, leaders of other lawenforcement organisations, police authorities, Police and Crime Commissioners and the Government to ensure that the NCA delivers the maximum protection possible for communities with the resources it has available.” Former Deputy Andy Parker has taken over as Chief Constable at Warwickshire Police.
Amor Group is to help fire and rescue services in the south west improve data management and IT security ahead of a connection to the Public Sector Network (PSN). The aim of the programme is to improve community and firefighter safety through the timely and secure sharing of information between fire and rescue services and their external partners over the PSN. Alastair O’Brien, Public Sector Director for Amor Group, said, “Connecting to the PSN would offer a real boost to the emergency services in the south west. The improved communication between different ‘blue light’ services will cut costs and improve service. “It isn’t a simple case of plugging the system in though; linking to police, social services and NHS databases means there is a need to review security and the type of data which is being held or can be shared. The aim is to connect all five FRSs to the PSN by September 2012.”
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/nca/
www.amorgroup.com
Emergency Services Times November 2011
36 | EMERGENCY COMMAND VEHICLES
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The most advanced emergency command vehicles in the world – a user solutions guide In recent years the new generation of emergency command vehicles introduced by UK fire and rescue, ambulance and police services has helped support huge improvements in the way these services manage the different types of incidents with which they deal. In the past commanders and their support teams used old style incident command vehicles, usually little more than mobile (paper) map rooms with a few radios and whiteboards. Now services are in an era of improved communications across incident grounds and back to headquarters, using mobile satellite broadband and live wireless video, thereby delivering high speed data flows, real time situational awareness and a Common Operational Picture – within all levels of services and between services. This is important, because it means services are now able to perform much more effectively (and some of the mistakes of the past, highlighted by major incidents where lives have been lost unnecessarily, are less likely to happen). Driving development Supporting this pioneering collaborative work within the emergency sector, Excelerate Technology has helped drive the development of what are now considered to be some of the most advanced mobile emergency command vehicles in the world. There is now growing international interest in learning from highly innovative UK projects such as the HART (Hazardous Area Response Teams) programme, which is delivering a standardised, national approach for UK ambulance services dealing with incidents inside the ‘hot zone’, such as CBRN attacks, USAR incidents, chemical spills and releases, as well as other threats to life. Excelerate Technology has supported these initiatives by sourcing, developing and introducing many of the new technologies that emergency services have needed to implement their plans. Key among these technologies has been the use of mobile satellite broadband and wireless video to deliver data, voice and video to commanders. Ten years ago the company was quick to see the potential of these emerging technologies and to adapt them for specific emergency service use,
With their full use of satellite broadband, wireless video, interoperable communications and integrated management systems from Excelerate Technology, the UK is now considered to have some of the most advanced mobile incident command vehicles in the world.
DATA VIDEO VOICE INTERNET VIA SATELLITE &
working closely with customers, such as the national HART ambulance service project team, the fire and rescue services and police forces. Achieving maximum operational benefits Critical to the success of these developments has been the need to identify how emergency service communications requirements can be best
supported by the use of new technologies, followed by prototyping, systems integration within compact and ergonomically suitable work spaces, displays and control panels, thereby creating easy-to-use solutions. This has been complemented with testing, training and exercising to deliver maximum operational benefits for the investments made. These solutions are now being seen in increasing numbers of forward command vehicles and
Mobile satellite broadband and wireless data, video and voice solutions from Excelerate Technology are now being used by all three UK emergency services to improve public safety, interoperability and operational efficiency.
Emergency Services Times November 2011
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incident command units around the UK, vehicles which are changing command doctrine and the way emergency services work. While there are variations in the different types of command suites and technologies used within the various emergency command vehicles supported by Excelerate Technology, there is generally a core set of common systems, features and functionality. Some of these solutions are unique to Excelerate, having been developed by the company’s Research and Development (R&D) department. To help services identify which solutions are likely to be of most use to them, Excelerate has compiled a straightforward User’s Guide to Mobile Emergency Command Solutions.
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Mobile satellite broadband communications This is at the heart of Excelerate’s technology offering, providing commanders with a robust, easily accessible and high capacity capability. Roofmounted transportable satellite solutions provide resilient stand-alone broadband connections giving access to secure telephony, data, video, internet and e-mail facilities. Satellite broadband is highly robust, a key factor during major emergencies when other communications systems can be overloaded. Satellite communications enable command and control vehicles to receive and transmit data from all responders and emergency teams and achieve a
Common Operational Picture. Combined with wireless networks, personnel using PDAs, laptops mobile phone and data terminals can access tactical plans, live video streaming or information from strategic emergency planning software. The range can be extended using self-powered, rapidly deployable MESH wireless nodes. For maximum resilience, vehicles can communicate directly with each other as well as their appropriate HQs and other locations. Some HQs, such as the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, are now also using satellite broadband receivers at their command centre as well as on their mobile command vehicle. Continued on page 38
Digital Dashboard Management Interface (DDMI) The Digital Dashboard Management Interface (UK Patent Application 1116053.8) is a highly innovative solution, which enhances system performance, reliability and communications interoperability. The Digital Dashboard Management Interface gives users vital data at a glance. This new digital dashboard display system has been designed by Excelerate Technology’s R&D department specifically for the emergency services market to provide a clear, intuitive interface linked to the wide variety of command and support technologies found on the latest generation of incident command vehicles. The company has already received the Department of Health’s authorisation to begin implementing DDMI into all HART command vehicles. The simple-to-use interface enables operators to monitor and control the systems and technologies on board command and control units effectively and efficiently, enabling them to focus primarily on their operational roles and to get the best out of their technology and training investment.
The Communications Management Suite enables multiple communications devices to be patched together for single and conference calls.
DDMI is a modular solution that incorporates the following features and benefits to date: The Navigation Bar identifies each module within the interface and incorporates an alert system for each page. The alert system notifies the user of activity from within a specific function, enabling the operator to immediately monitor and control the area of interest. The Status page incorporates all relevant technology and systems on board command and control units. It uses a simple traffic light system to identify and determine the health of all on-board systems, inclusive of updates. This is crucial for determining any system error, whether it is that
Main DDMI interface provides intuitive controls for systems monitoring and management.
power has simply not been turned on or to identify major faults. It also acts as a permanent reminder as to the array of networks, solutions and applications that are at the operator’s disposal. The Excelerate Communications Management Suite (PBX) has been developed to enable multiple communications devices including radios, GSM, TETRA, mobile and VoIP phones and landlines, to be patched through to one another and to enable voice conference participation via a variety of different devices from multiple worldwide locations. The interface is an easy drag-and-drop one and can be operated and controlled within the DDMI solution on board the command and control unit. This feature helps overcome a major barrier to full interoperability between the different communications systems likely to be used across an incident. The Satellite Controls interface simplifies the management and monitoring of satellite communications with intuitive touch-screen controls, making this critical function a straightforward process capable of being handled by non-technical staff. By being fully integrated into the overall DDMI solution users are spared the extra work that would be required to go into a separate system for satellite management. Good controls are essential for checking satellite signal strength and ensuring robust, resilient communications and uninterrupted data flows. The system also overcomes doubts concerning line-of-sight issues.
Weather monitoring – weather is a key factor in the management of many incidents, from gas leakages to large-scale fires. Local weather conditions may be quite different from (and faster moving) than indicated by nationally provided forecasts. The weather function enables local weather conditions, such as wind direction, to be monitored continuously and emergency commanders notified of any significant changes. The Power Management function is an interface that interacts with all systems within the communications rack and ensures that the automatic start-up/shut down of all the systems is managed safely and securely at the touch of ‘one button’. This eliminates the need for each rackmounted system to be turned off manually or in isolation, thereby ensuring that the correct sequence is followed. Screen and Video Source selector – a simple drag and drop interface gives operators the ability to match any number of video sources to any or all required displays on board the unit and change what appears on them to suit specific incident requirements. Future proofing and further development – the support DDMI provides to emergency services will continue to grow as Excelerate’s R&D department develops new interfaces for delivering expanded and improved functionality.
Emergency Services Times November 2011
38 | EMERGENCY COMMAND VEHICLES
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to provide fast reaction video of incidents. In addition, Excelerate can install receivers to provide ‘heli-tele’ downlinks, allowing aerial images from police helicopters and UAVs to be viewed in the command vehicle. Independent GSM networks RapidNet is a Private Mobile Network system that enables an independent GSM network to be generated at the scene of an incident if public GSM networks are overloaded or compromised during major incidents. It is capable of delivering the reassurance of full telecoms and voice recording capabilities irrespective of the presence or capability of any incumbent national cellular network. Command displays Incident Command Units can also include multiagency briefing areas with wall-mounted electronic whiteboards and touchscreen displays that run Excelerate can supply a wide variety of COFDM cameras including the dual thermal camera shown above.
Satellite broadband connectivity prices now compare very favourably with other telecommunications offerings, and the application of the technology can be used for a huge variety of different emergency management purposes, including delivery of dynamic updates for mobile Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems, now being used operationally by Surrey Police after extensive testing.
Aerial platform with wireless camera capable of transmitting live imagery back to fire and rescue command vehicle.
Wired, wireless and rapidly deployable cameras for live video viewing Optical and dual-thermal cameras can be mounted on self-powered tripods, the Sherpa climbing camera platform, extendable, pneumatic masts and aerial platforms to transmit live video by COFDM into ICUs and control rooms for viewing by command staff operating at the scene of an incident. Video can also be streamed via secure servers to higher level command for online access in real-time by authorised personnel. Body-worn cameras, such as those worn by Gwent Police mobile officers at the Ryder Cup, can also be used
specialised command support and emergency planning applications, as well as being used for video-conferencing and the viewing of live video footage or television news channels. Large touchscreen displays can also be installed externally for outdoor briefing sessions. Excelerate Technology WiFi nodes To support the new trend for using wireless cameras and ruggedised laptops across incident grounds, portable, battery-operated WiFi extension nodes can be used to create complete wireless MESH networks. Such nodes can be in the form of rapidly deployable tripods (with hot-swappable batteries), body-worn nodes and vehicle-mounted nodes. www.excelerate.info
See Exelerate Technology on Stand 128 at ESS 2011 Author: Stephen Prendergast
The unique Sherpa climbing camera and communications platform Excelerate Technology, through its subsidiary Norton, is the owner and developer of Sherpa, the highly innovative ‘climbing camera’ CCTV and communications platform system that automatically climbs up poles and places cameras and other emergency response communications equipment in high temporary viewing positions, giving emergency management, prison service and security personnel improved coverage of incidents and potential problems. Camera imagery can be controlled and viewed using iPads, iPhones or mobile and in-vehicle systems. Sherpa has the potential to make a major contribution to the policing of public order and counter terror operations and is generating strong interest around the world. It is the only system in the world that can provide such a quickly deployed temporary CCTV infrastructure for use in giving continuous coverage of riots, public order events, major fires, prison ‘blind spots’, transport and border security checkpoints and other potential areas of interest. The system is already used in the UK, South Africa and Australia, and there is growing interest in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Straightforward solution Regardless of the countries into which the Sherpa system has been sold, users, such as Logan City Council in Brisbane, Australia, have seen how it delivers a straightforward solution to common problems, such as monitoring parks and public areas, keeping an eye on religious and community events and gathering evidence for prosecutions. Sherpa has even been found useful for customers assessing locations for permanent cameras without the cost and risk involved. By avoiding the necessity to install permanent CCTV camera systems, which are not always needed to address a temporary problem, the system delivers very positive benefits at a much lower cost. With Sherpa, within a very short period of an incident being responded to, when time is critical, a network of PTZ (Pan, Tilt, Zoom) video surveillance cameras can be installed and relaying
live incident imagery back to command vehicles. Imagery can then be combined with other incident information to create and share a Common Operational Picture with all relevant parties. The cost is substantially less than video obtained from helicopters, and can provide highresolution imagery for evidential purposes. Because of its versatility Sherpa can be used in a wide variety of different roles. By police forces, for example, it can be deployed quickly to monitor rioting and public order incidents. For fire and rescue services it can be used to provide high-level wireless camera video imagery of incidents from a stable platform over a prolonged period. www.excelerate.info
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Vehicle manufacturers invest in the future despite gloomy outlook for public sector fleets If there was an over-riding theme to this year’s NAPFM event, it was the dark cloud now hanging over all aspects of the police service. As a former police PR officer, I’m inured to the thin blue line analogy, but after seeing the results of swingeing cuts in my home town, Ormskirk, I have to concede that forces really are approaching breaking point in general, with fleet managers on the front line in the search for the last pound and penny savings. It’s without a hint of shadenfraude that I can report that there were more than a few serious faces at this year’s event. Then again, certain manufacturers that have been investing heavily in their product range seem to be more than up to the challenges ahead. Last year, it was very much a case of a new home and new feel to the NAPFM conference. And 12 months on, the majority of fleet managers and exhibitors I spoke to at what was the 38th national police fleet show think Peterborough should keep its place as the venue of choice for a show that’s put its unsettled past behind it. Three different venues since 2007 at Wroughton, Cheltenham and Peterborough has finally seen it make best use of its natural base for (hopefully) years to come. Challenges ahead Back in 2010, I noted that ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going.’ I can’t think of anything more apt to summarise the many challenges lying ahead for UK emergency service fleet managers in the light of the drastic cuts on their budgets that are already shaping the way 999 fleets are being run. Manufacturers and buyers alike concede that if there is a light at the end of the tunnel, it’s very dim and very distant. VAG – better known through its Audi, SEAT, and Skoda and VW brands – put on another ‘show of force’ this year.
“Budget restrictions have seen a much closer working relationship develop between all three of the 999 services not only to save money but also improve performance.” However, with challenges come new opportunities – the budget restrictions have seen a much closer working relationship develop between all three of the 999 services not only to save money but also improve performance. This saw members of the national Strategic Ambulance Fleet group hold a fleet and procurement seminar at this year’s NAPFM event, for example, which augurs well for the future. ‘Can do’ attitude This year’s show not only attracted another record number of exhibitors, including a few interesting
new names from abroad, notably China, but also highlighted the legendary ‘can do’ attitude from many on the fleet front line. So, the pressure is now definitely on to run cleaner, greener and more cost effective fleets; those eye watering 25 percent plus cutbacks will have an inevitable effect on all areas of fleet management and it’ll be interesting to see how the resilience, ingenuity and ‘thinking outside the box’ mentality is tested as fleet managers ensure that front line services are affected as little as possible. The ‘critical mass’ that’s been building slowly over the last few years is now gaining momentum as an increasing number of manufacturers devote more research and development budgets to finding practical workaday solutions to ensure petrol and diesel cars tick all the environmental and efficiency boxes. That’s seen the work of an increasing number of manufacturers coming to fruition; available now is a new generation of hybrids, including diesel hybrids; plug-in electric cars and groundbreaking developments with traditional petrol and diesel power. And with the new NPIA vehicle agreements now over a year old, replacing what many regarded as antiquated arrangements, there’s a much leaner supply line for customers and manufacturers, with savings running into £millions.
Pride of place BMW took pride of place in the atrium where numerous cars and bikes made for an impressive display. Highlighting its stand was a turnkey 5 tourer featuring kit that’s built in on the production line for UK forces in a similar way to its 999 bike range. Its concept ‘Interceptor’ 3 series is now serving at Avon and Somerset while its X series cars are now on the frontline in a variety of police, fire and paramedic roles. BMW plays a very important role now in many metropolitan forces; its 5 series diesel models the default choice for ARV and road policing duties. A new name for the UK market is DFSK. Its new Loadhopper mini van comes in a variety of guises with petrol and electric power while its Farr range of quads is a very reasonably priced alternative to Japanese rivals. Keen competition Ford had another large stand, but is rumoured to be losing ground in some markets where the Focus is not as popular thanks to keen competition from Vauxhall and Hyundai. Its most interesting models are in a niche market where the C max and Galaxy from Ford SVP have proved very popular in a variety of roles for front line policing and as covert vehicles. The evergreen Transit and Tourneo
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models were also on show – the former will soon be replaced by an all new 2012 model and be built aboard as Ford leaves Southampton after many years. Hybrid pioneer The Honda stand took a step back in time with an original hybrid, its quirky two-door Insight, on show. This was the original car the Wiltshire force trailed and then purchased back in the early 2000s as the company pioneered hybrids in the UK. The mid-sized CRV is still a popular choice with paramedic fleets while a small number of forces use Hondas in covert roles. Honda police bikes though are not as popular as they once were although the company has a massive range of alternative products for forces, including its quad bikes. Hard working With impressive growth in the last five years, it’s little wonder Hyundai has continued to earn its stripes with an increasing number of police forces. Proof positive of how its gaining a reputation as a hard working member of many fleets is the order by forces like Lancashire and Merseyside for the latest i30 range in hatch and estate form for a variety of roles. This follows its success in the Met where it has beaten off cars like the respected Astra. Hyundai, part of the same group as Kia, has been allowed to take the spotlight in the 999 market and had a good array of cars and soft roaders at the event. Expectations high The rise of Jaguar has been nothing short of spectacular since enterprising Indian businessman Ratan Tata bought Britain’s premier luxury car manufacturer from Ford. But it’s not faring as well as expected in the tough conditions prevalent now – although big things are expected of its new XF 2.2 D with the PSA sourced diesel engine. On display was a 3.0 XF D and armoured XJ LWB. The loss of the baby Jag, its X type, will soon be remedied as a new model is launched to take on rivals BMW, Audi and Mercedes in the premium saloon market. ‘Protection without compromise’ was the no nonsense claim of its specialist armoured vehicle brochure with the firm hoping to build on small but significant sales with its armoured XJ range.
Product led recovery Along with Jaguar, Land Rover has also seen a resurgence in the last two years with product led recovery very much a reason for its growth. The new Discovery has taken the mantle of the bigger and more expensive Range Rover, while the Defender – soon to be replaced in a groundbreaking move by Land Rover – is still flying the flag for the UK in a multiplicity of front line applications worldwide. Its Freelander2 eD4 has been re-invented for the modern world too, its ‘stop start’ diesel engines now available, which make them better suited for urban policing roles saving up to 20 percent in fuel costs. The Discovery 4 and Range Rover Sport add to the company’s current 999 portfolio. Reliable road policing Mercedes Benz has re-entered the UK police market with a selection of C and E class models aimed for covert road policing roles. Its decision to pull out of the market a few years ago when the German parent company refused to subsidize its prices any longer was lamented by many; MB make some of the most reliable police cars in the world and with fleets having to keep cars longer the time is right for investing in its models, it claims. Showcased at this year’s event was its electric Vito while a 224PS Vito 122 looks like a brilliant addition to any fleet as an ARV. Bespoke vehicle solutions Mitsubishi is by far the leading supplier of Japanese built vehicles for 999 fleets in the UK. Lexus, Mazda, Suzuki and Toyota all now eschew police sales and the firm’s going from strength to strength with vehicles like the Outlander and much ‘cleaner’ 2012 Shogun, which is still a popular choice with The Met and for HATO. There have been few takers though for its diminutive electric iMiEV – co-developed with the French PSA group for its Peugeot brand. Mitsubishi’s trump card is its one-stop shop in Cirencester where bespoke vehicle solutions can be talked through for a multiplicity of applications for each vehicle in its car and off road range. Exciting green developments Peugeot had a lot to live up to in 2011 with its car range featuring exciting green developments. Taking pride of place was its 3008 HYbrid4, its first
Peugeot’s 3008 HYbrid4 is the company’s first venture into the hybrid market with a diesel-powered twist.
venture into the hybrid market with a dieselpowered twist. It is unique in the marketplace and reflects Peugeot’s innovative thinking for the 999 market. Another interesting range on show was the 308 GPPV general-purpose patrol vehicles with both the hatch and estate versions offered with a range of efficient and economical HDi engines. Proton didn’t exhibit at NAPFM this year – for the first time in the event’s history. This is because behind the scenes there’s a lot going on with new models, new engines and a new look to the company’s cars – the new Exora will be out soon, a family MPV that would prove ideal for light policing duties as a capacious but well priced MPV. Electric car range A lifetime warranty for Vauxhall cars was the big talking point of the 2010 event. Big news this year was its range of electric cars, such as the new Ampera, the company’s first extended range vehicle that has been extensively trialled in the UK, Europe and the US. In addition, on show alongside Vauxhall’s car range were two new products – the Movano PSU and Combo with prisoner ‘cell’. Show of force VAG – better known through its Audi, SEAT, and Skoda and VW brands – put on another ‘show of force’ this year. It’s been a good year for each of the four brands; Audi’s still setting the pace thanks to its two primary USPs – the legendary Quattro drive train and array of fast but frugal diesel engines, which are available in its A6 and Q7 ranges. SEAT showed off a revised Exeo and new Alhambra, while Skoda had an array of its 2012 range, which will soon be joined by the innovative CitiGo model. The firm has now established itself as one of the leading players in the 999 market with its Octavia, Superb and Yeti models especially popular in a multiplicity of roles on the 999 front line. VW is going from strength to strength with its latest models and displayed a selection of Golf and Passat vehicles. Volvo is now under new Chinese ownership – not that you’d ever notice. It’s been in the 999 market now for over 40 years and its latest V70 – bigger, more comfortable and more dynamic, while just as safe – is still proving popular in a number of police and paramedic applications. www.napfmevent.org.uk
Along with Jaguar, Land Rover has also seen a resurgence in the last two years with product led recovery very much a reason for its growth.
Emergency Services Times November 2011
Author: Roger Blaxall, motoring correspondent.
44 | ADVERTORIAL
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wearer will remain dry if critical points, like the seams, are ignored. Gore has developed its own proprietary GORE-SEAM® tapes and seam sealing technology to ensure the durable integrity of the garment throughout its life. CROSSTECH® fabrics If your risk assessment has identified a specific risk from blood borne pathogens, then CROSSTECH® fabrics will deliver the solution, while keeping the firefighter dry and protected from heat and flame. CROSSTECH® fabrics far exceed competitive products in test laboratories and in the field. The CROSSTECH® family of products also includes CROSSTECH® garments with AIRLOCK® Spacer Technology, which is part of the Integrated Clothing Project solution and uses revolutionary AIRLOCK® Spacer Technology to create an insulating air cushion. The result is a garment that can be lighter, creating greater freedom of movement for the wearer. CROSSTECH® fabric is used in structural fire fighting ensembles and specialised urban search and rescue suits as well as boots and gloves. GORE-TEX® fabrics If your risk assessment has not identified blood borne pathogens as a specific risk for your firefighters then the range of GORE-TEX® fabrics will provide a durable, waterproof, breathable
solution that delivers protection far in excess of laboratory test standards. GORE-TEX® fabric is also available with AIRLOCK® Spacer Technology variant in structural fire fighting garments. www.gore.com
Emergency Services Times November 2011
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The future of fire and rescue service provision in Scotland Scotland’s fire and rescue service has a rich history and one of which the country can be justifiably proud. Its many achievements include establishing the world’s first municipal fire brigade, set up in Edinburgh in 1824 by James Braidwood. I myself spent several years as a senior officer in Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, which now includes Edinburgh, before I went on to become Chief Fire Officer of Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service. period and beyond and this includes being clear at all times about what a single service can realistically deliver.
I often wonder if James Braidwood would recognise the fire and rescue services we have in Scotland today. There is no doubt he would recognise the continued day-to-day dedication and courage displayed by the firefighters. But I doubt whether he would have envisaged the varied role the modern day services play in our local communities and how they contribute towards national resilience across Scotland, the UK and the world.
A new single service must be delivered on reduced costs but it is paramount that we continue to have a fire and rescue service to be proud of, one that delivers agreed outcomes and which is sustainable for years to come. We now have fire and rescue service personnel fighting wildfires in the highlands of Scotland; providing urban search and rescue services to assist in rescue efforts across the world; attending road traffic collisions to extricate people trapped in vehicles; and dealing with incidents involving hazardous materials. These are only a handful of the many and varied functions of modern-day fire and rescue provision, not to mention the plethora of community engagement and education events the services undertake to help prevent some of the incidents they attend. Evolution and improvement There is no way of knowing how James Braidwood would view the modern-day service. But there is no doubt that, in the last 187 years, the fire and rescue services in Scotland have evolved and improved. And while I am sure they would have continued this trend, the current financial pressures facing the public sector have encouraged a more rapid and radical reshaping of the Scottish fire and rescue services. Scottish Ministers announced to the Scottish Parliament on 8 September that they intend to reform the current eight fire and rescue services into a single service. On the same day a consultation on the delivery of a single service was launched, running until 2 November. The work to deliver the new service will be done in parallel with a similar process to create a single
Steven Torrie is Chief Inspector of Fire and Rescue Authorities and the Head of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Advisory Unit.
Scottish police force instead of the existing eightforce structure. In the short to medium term there will be some tough decisions to be made. A new single service must be delivered on reduced costs but it is paramount that we continue to have a fire and rescue service to be proud of, one that delivers agreed outcomes and which is sustainable for years to come. Extend, strengthen and formalise In many respects the eight services already work together through mutual assistance and information sharing. A single service will extend, strengthen and formalise these arrangements by developing nationally standardised operating procedures, which take local risk factors into account. Over time equipment will also be standardised to ensure a firefighter in Dumfries can turn up at a station in Aberdeen and have no problems using fire appliances, breathing apparatus, or other equipment. The current structure, where different services purchase equipment from different suppliers, can lead to variations in equipment and knock-on effects for staff working with a fire and rescue service other than their own. In my role as Chief Inspector of Fire and Rescue Authorities and Head of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Advisory Unit, I am working closely with colleagues in the unit, with staff across various Scottish Government divisions and with people in the fire and rescue services. We will all have key roles and responsibilities during this transitional
Period of change And throughout this period of change it is vitally important that we never lose sight of the reasons for having fire and rescue services. If anyone finds themselves in the unfortunate position of requiring fire and rescue services and dialling 999, they need the reassurance that they will still receive at least the same or even better levels of service that people have come to expect in Scotland in recent years. I believe the people who work for the fire and rescue services in Scotland are an extremely valuable asset. Through engagement with the Scottish Government, the Chief Fire Officers’ Association (Scotland) and other stakeholders, these people will help to map out the way forward for the new service. This will involve a great deal of collaborative working across the broad range of stakeholders to ensure a positive outcome to this work. A single service will also create other benefits for those working in the services, for example better personal and career development through the establishment of a clear recruitment, development and promotion path across Scotland. Throughout the transition process we must always be aware of the bigger picture. A large amount of operational guidance for the fire and rescue services has been generated and reviewed in England by the Department for Communities and Local Government. The UK Government is now taking a step back and promoting the ‘localism’ agenda and it is not yet clear who takes on this role and how it should be funded. As chairperson of the Scottish Operational Guidance Board (SOGB), I am watching this area with interest as the Scottish Government and the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service may need to take on more responsibility in this area in the future. Benefits and potential I wonder if James Braidwood would approve of the direction in which the fire and rescue service in Scotland is going. Without the aide of a good medium we will never know the answer to that. But I would like to think that as an innovative thinker in his time he would see the benefits and the potential that a single service can and will deliver to Scotland and its people. http://tinyurl.com/est-sfrau
Author: Steven Torrie is Chief Inspector of Fire and Rescue Authorities and the Head of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Advisory Unit.
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Nationalising the fire and rescue service must provide an ‘enhanced’ service for the people of Scotland In September, the Scottish Government announced that they would introduce legislation that will nationalise the fire and rescue service in Scotland, reducing from the current eight local government services to a single service responsible directly to central government. The decision followed a consultation period instigated by the Scottish Government with written responses provided by a number of stakeholders, including all eight fire and rescue services, to questions on the future structure of the fire and rescue service. Although the change away from a locally governed service is quite radical, the need for reform had gathered significant support. It has been acknowledged by many senior fire and rescue service officers, myself included, that reform was necessary in order to safeguard vital frontline services against a backdrop of significantly less financial resources available to the public sector. While the view of the Chief Fire Officers’ Association in Scotland (CFOAS) was that a regional model of three services could deliver the necessary savings it was clear that the Scottish Government believed there was compelling evidence to support a move towards one fire and rescue service. When the final decision came, it ended months of speculation. The general reaction was typical of those who work in the fire and rescue service – a desire to get on with the job and deliver.
“The challenge will be to maintain public and firefighter safety in the face of the demands that will no doubt come as we work together to reform and merge services.” No compulsory redundancies At Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service (LBFRS), we are committed to, and have worked hard at, keeping our people informed of the developing challenges that face us. At a time of significant cuts to budgets, there is a natural concern for many in our service on our ability to continue to deliver the high quality services that our communities have come to expect and deserve. In addition, there is major concern for everyone with regard to job security. Government are aware of these issues. Outlining the Government's plans at the time of the single service announcement, The First Minister, Alex Salmond, said that the move to create a single fire service and a single police force would save money without affecting frontline services. The Government has also stated that they
are committed to a policy of no compulsory redundancies. The Government believe that reform of fire and police will deliver estimated savings of £130 million a year and £1.7 billion over 15 years. It aims to achieve this by reducing duplication and overheads across the eight fire and rescue services, thereby freeing up resources for frontline activities. In terms of governance, there is a desire to continue the strong, formal relationship between each service and Scotland’s 32 local authorities, creating designated local officers who will work with councils and other partners to meet local priorities and needs.
Ministers have also guaranteed that the clear separation between themselves and the operational decisions and responsibilities of the services would continue. Over the coming months and years, we will see our service change as the current structures are replaced with a national Fire and Rescue Service for Scotland. What must not change to its detriment is the standard of service we currently provide to the people of Scotland. Indeed the Government has talked of an ‘enhanced’ service and that is what our aim must be. Stronger and safer We must also ensure that the best practice from across the country is used as a template to create a stronger and safer service for communities across the country where, for a range of reasons, you are twice as likely to die in a fire as in other parts of the UK. LBFRS has an excellent record and reputation for service delivery and we will ensure our expertise and specialist knowledge is used to influence,
inform and play an active part in the reform process. The people we serve in Edinburgh, The Lothians and The Scottish Borders will rightly continue to require the high level of service that they have come to expect from us. The challenge will be to maintain public and firefighter safety in the face of the demands that will no doubt come as we work together to reform and merge services. Our service has a long and proud tradition of making communities safer, reducing fire deaths and casualties in the home, using groundbreaking approaches to community safety from our home safety visit programme to youth initiatives and working with hard to reach groups. Our role has also been extended in previous years from the traditional expectation of emergency response fire fighting to attending at road traffic collisions, rescuing people from heights and water and providing specialist support in CBRN incidents. These vital, life-saving activities can never be compromised in the name of making financial cuts. The challenge will be to ensure that we build on the good work we currently do while delivering the necessary restructure required by Government. Engaging at all levels CFOAS has been working closely with the Government and key partners to identify programme leads to take forward the work to facilitate transition to a single service. It will look at a number of areas including powers and responsibilities vested in Fire Boards in the run up to transfer, relating to funding, asset ownership and other financial and legal obligations. The need to align with Scottish Government programme management structures and identify the priority projects, which need to be scoped out, is also of fundamental importance to the process. However, to succeed we must engage not just at Government level but also with our own workforce, fire and rescue services across the country, trade unions, the public and a wide range of partners and stakeholders to ensure that reform delivers the best and safest outcomes for the people of Scotland. www.lothian.fire-uk.org
Emergency Services Times November 2011
Author: CFO Jimmy Campbell, Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service.
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West Midlands Fire Service to Draeger demos demo new ICU’s capabilities – your chance to win an iPod Touch!
West Midlands Fire Service’s new Incident Command Unit is based on a 16-tonne Volvo chassis and incorporates some of the most advanced incident ground technology available. The unit has been designed to cope with the increasing demands of a dynamic incident and has therefore been split into three key operational areas.
The first is a dedicated control centre where operators receive, process and disseminate operational information, incoming to and from the incident ground. Contained within this control centre is a dedicated multi-agency position, which will facilitate third party organisations such as the police, ambulance or emergency planners and the like, enabling efficient and effective communications.
The second operational area is a conferencing facility complete with large touch screen monitors, which have the facility to relay live incident ground footage – using the latest in COFDM camera technology, view police heli-telly footage and log into and view premise CCTV. The conferencing area will also display critical incident information
via VEGA – West Midlands Fire Service’s exciting new incident command software. VEGA is a cutting edge, fully integrated incident command solution. Utilising open source software and advanced hardware it provides voice, video and data facilities and applications. Intuitive to use, highly functional and extremely cost effective it offers full integration with command and control and back office functions. The third operational area is a briefing area to the exterior of the vehicle complete with touch screen monitor to relay incident ground information, tactical plans and the like to the wider audience. Weather dependent, the Incident Commander has the use of an electric-powered awning or air-inflated structure to facilitate the briefings.
Increased firefighter safety Marc Hudson – Watch Commander, West Midlands Fire Service, said, “This is an excellent asset to the West Midlands Fire Service which will no doubt increase firefighter safety on the incident ground.” Paul Burnham – Group Commander (Emergency Response) and Project Manager, said, “The unit complete with satellite communications will provide us with the resilience required at a complex, multi-agency incident. The deployable COFDM cameras will bring huge benefit to the incident commander; providing superb operational intelligence which in turn will influence their tactical decision making and more effective incident resolution.” www.wmfs.net
West Midlands Fire Service will be demonstrating the new vehicle’s capabilities at The Emergency Services Show 2011 in Hall 1 on Stand 386.
Well known for compressed air breathing apparatus, Draeger will be demonstrating its Total Safety system solution, which incorporates a broad portfolio of integrated products and services for use in a wide range of different applications. Of particular interest to the fire and rescue and law enforcement sectors, these include ATEX-approved thermal imaging cameras and gas tight suits, new rescue helmets, ASDUs and gas detection monitors and tubes, as well as full service and maintenance, on and off-site bespoke training packages, and access to long and short term product hire. Visitors to Stand 165 in Hall 2 can see demonstrations of the latest in non-invasive saliva based drug testing alongside examples of Draeger’s extensive personal protection equipment such as facemasks and safety eyewear for use in situations such as forensic investigations.
In addition, visitors to Stand 426 in Hall 3 can win an iPod Touch in the interactive ‘Draeger Tube’ and receive a demonstration of ‘on-site training’ in Draeger’s Confined Space Entry mobile trailer. Providing flexible and improved access to safety solutions via newly opened Safety Centres across the UK, Draeger is keen to listen to its customers, be accessible on a local basis, and support customers’ safety needs. www.draeger.com
Draeger Safety is exhibiting on Stand 165 in Hall 2 and Stand 426 in Hall 3.
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Specialised scenarios at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue’s USAR training site Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue’s Waddington training site offers a training facility to meet a wide variety of needs. Based just south of Lincoln City, the site is owned by the MoD and is leased to Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue as a venue for specialist training. A former RAF weapons and ammunition store, the site has been developed by the Lincolnshire Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team to recreate a realistic disaster training centre. The site is one of the biggest of its kind in the UK and can facilitate a wide range of training, including: technical search and rescue (breaking and breaching, lifting and moving), shoring, large animal rescue, trench rescue, safe working at height/line rescue and canine search operations. These training exercises and disciplines are carried out on purpose-built rigs and areas.
“Not only is the site available for search and rescue training and exercises, it is also available for fire fighting training.” Featured on the site are a collapsed crane area, a simulated collapsed multi-storey car park, and an industrial zone with challenging tunnel systems suitable for live casualties and the practising of confined space rescues. There are also collapsed domestic and commercial properties, a specialist shoring area, concrete and live trenches, and a large animal rescue section, which includes stables and an undercover lecture area.
A portal frame facility is also available on site for undercover working at height and line rescue training. Four-legged team members can also make the most of the canine search areas and agility training areas. Additionally, the site offers welfare facilities and lecture rooms of various sizes to enable meetings, debriefs, training seminars and other activities. Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue’s next improvement for the site is a simulated collapsed school. This project is currently in the initial stages of development and is scheduled to be competed within the next few months.
The Waddington site has been designed and developed by the Lincolnshire USAR team led by Neil Woodmansey MBE. Neil and the team – who have been deployed on rescue missions in areas including Pakistan, Haiti and Japan – use their knowledge and experience of live disaster zones to create authentic training scenarios, thereby offering the best preparation and training for search and rescue deployments both at home in the UK and abroad. Exercise Vulcan The site is both unique and dynamic in that it is constantly being modified to meet the changing needs of a variety of organisations, including UK and international fire and rescue services and search and rescue teams. Most recently, the site has hosted experts from America, Spain and Germany when it accommodated the five-day Exercise Vulcan. During the exercise, teams of participants were required to demonstrate self-sufficiency by camping out on the site – just as would be necessary during a deployment to a real disaster zone. The teams rotated through a series of timed challenges, which aimed to ensure competency in tasks such as breaking and breaching and safe working at height, before participating in a live exercise with on-site command and control, which simulated response in an actual disaster. Fire fighting training Not only is the site available for search and rescue training and exercises, it is also available for fire fighting training. It boasts a high-spec fire training facility including a new fire station on site and a drill yard with drill tower. Additionally, the old RAF bunkers have been modified to simulate domestic dwellings, a shop, and a commercial garage. Hot fire units allow for general operational tactical and BA training.
These areas offer different scenarios for practising response to a variety of incidents and allow for factors such as chemical response, BA and fire behaviour to be included as instructors see necessary. Finally, the site features new and unique facilities for ship fire training. This multi-storey training unit mimics the levels of a ship, with a hot engine at the lowest level.
This new feature provides a comprehensive training site to practise with real smoke and fire, different levels and a complex building layout with the added shipping port aspects, and even allows for integration of a hydraulic platform in the training exercises. With the above assets, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue can tailor bespoke courses to suit all requirements and welcomes visitors to come and view the Waddington Training Site. For more information, please e-mail: contracts@lincoln.fire-uk.org. http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/LFR
See Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue on Stand 368 in Hall 1.
Emergency Services Times November 2011
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College gives electrical vehicle training for emergency services Gateshead College, one of the UK’s foremost Further Education colleges, has developed specialist training that is equipping the emergency services with the skills required to deal with accident damaged or broken down electric and hybrid vehicles. The Level 2 BTEC in Hazard Management of Vehicles with Electric Drive Systems – the first of its type in the UK – provides the expertise needed to recognise an electric or hybrid vehicle and assess it for damage before being able to make it safe to recover the passengers. Officers from Tyne & Wear, Northumberland and Cleveland fire and rescue services, as well as Northumbria Police, are among the first to complete the training at the college’s AutoSkills Centre on the Team Valley in Gateshead where they also learnt how to deal with dangerous battery and hazardous chemical spills caused by a vehicle smash or break down. The college has made the move following the growing number of electric vehicles on UK roads and the need to ensure front line emergency services are properly trained to deal with the potential hazards caused by electric drive systems. It is estimated that there will be 300,000 electric vehicles on Britain’s roads by 2014, according to a recent Gfk Automotive report, as consumers look for more ‘greener’ ways to travel. The Edexcel-accredited hazard management course is a further example of how the college is leading the way in specialised automotive training and development and other low carbon vehicle technologies.
Steve Wight and Andy Pogson, training officers from Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, were among those to complete the first course. They said, “We need to ensure our officers are properly trained to deal with electric and hybrid vehicle incidents, so a dedicated course like this is extremely beneficial. The skills we learnt will be invaluable in helping to improve officers’ abilities to deal quickly with road traffic accidents while ensuring they’re working smarter and safer.” The Hazard Management of Vehicles with
Electric Drive Systems is one of a range of electric and hybrid vehicle courses available at the AutoSkills Centre and covers vehicle identification, the component make-up of electric vehicles and hybrid systems, safe isolation of vehicles, and the safe storage and handling of batteries. It also teaches aspects of working with faulty or damaged vehicles, and how to deal with the different hazards these vehicles may present. www.gatesheadcollege.ac.uk/AutoSkillsCentre
Visit the AutoSkills Centre on Stand 496 in Hall 3.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue looks to bring unsafe driving to a skidding halt New to The Emergency Services Show this year will be Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue’s skid car demonstration – a unique asset, which the service uses to proactively inform and educate drivers, thereby reducing the likelihood of RTCs. The skid car is ideal for teaching drivers to recognise the potential for, recover from, and, most importantly, to prevent, an accident from happening. The vehicle is not fitted with a cradle, nor does it need to be driven on a wet pan, and can be used on any site, large or small, without the need for potentially environmentally harmful chemical treatments. Yet Lincolnshire’s skid car simulates driving on icy and slippery roads, and even aquaplaning, and allows the instructor to control the degree of slippage within the programme of the system. This unique system can be fitted to any vehicle type and is based on computer-controlled hydraulic front and rear steering using the vehicle’s own wheels.
In the hands of a trained instructor, the skid car is ideal for replicating all skid situations and their correct recoveries. It also effectively demonstrates locked wheels under braking, braking understeer, power understeer, oversteer, secondary oversteer, power oversteer and even combinations of these situations. Additionally, the car can train at any speed, from walking pace upward. And unlike other simulators, which use skidframes, Lincolnshire’s skid car does not produce excessive tyre noise. As an added bonus, the system used greatly reduces tyre wear due to the fact that tyres are steered rather than skidded. Reduced cost The skid car is used to offer three-hour courses to any driver over 17, with a reduced cost to charity organisations. Road Safety Manager Steve Screaton said it is also part of the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership’s three-step 2Fast2Soon campaign targeting younger – and less experienced – drivers.
He said, “Skidding causes loss of control – and this is a factor in one in four accidents. The aim of the course is to improve driving skills and reduce collisions, which is a goal of every road safety partnership and benefits all emergency services as well as the public.” For more information about the skid car, contact Steve Screaton at steve.screaton@lincoln.fire-uk.org – and make sure to have a look at the upcoming Emergency Services Show! http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/LFR
See Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue on Stand 368 in Hall 1.
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Survival on the hard shoulder: industry group strives to minimise risk at the roadside On average 250 people are killed or injured each year in incidents on motorway hard shoulders. Although fewer than in previous years, there is an industry group dedicated to reducing it further through sharing best practice and public awareness. impact on the safe operation of breakdown and recovery services on the road network, including conspicuity issues • Working Group 2 – Standards – To ensure that common standards/training and best working practices are introduced, maintained, updated and promoted within the breakdown/recovery industry • Working Group 3 – Communication – To ensure that effective communication takes places between the working groups, with other interested stakeholders and the public. The SURVIVE (Safe Use of Roadside Verges in Vehicular Emergencies) Group is a public/private sector partnership that was formed in 1998 following the deaths of six breakdown operators on motorway hard shoulders. Representatives from the breakdown industry initially established the group with the key purpose being to promote the safety of people stopping on or working on the motorway hard shoulder and high-speed dual carriageways. However the breakdown and recovery industry was not alone in wanting to ensure the safety of its workers and the general motoring public, so the group was expanded to include key organisations, including the Highways Agency, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and representatives of the highway maintenance industry. Development A work programme was initiated and the SURVIVE report was published in April 2000, which made 19 recommendations for action. To push these forward, three working groups were established, each reporting to the SURVIVE Group Executive, chaired by Allan Mowatt, a chartered engineer and former President of the Institution of Highways and Transportation. • Working Group 1 – Working Protocols and Best Practice – To review any changes that may
Making it safer One of the group’s biggest successes was the development of British Standards PAS 43 (fourth edition published June 2010), which forms the basis of safe working in the roadside recovery industry and is used as a benchmark by HSE. While PAS 43 continues to set the standard, comprehensive ‘Best Practice Guidelines’ were produced for the industry to ensure that all operators, whether large or small, exercise consistency in the way they are managed and operate to ensure safe working practices. They cover general procedures while attending vehicles and also guidance for specific scenarios, including disabled and vulnerable motorists; breakdowns in ‘free recovery’ areas, live running lanes and roadworks; working on bridges, viaducts and in tunnels; and how recovery technicians should work with Highways Agency traffic officers. The group has also researched and campaigned on the issue of conspicuity for recovery vehicles, calling for use of red flashing lights. However, research by TRL found no supporting evidence, making any change to the lighting regulations highly unlikely. In light of this, the group is now looking at a special LED light pattern instead.
Raising awareness One of the main channels for getting out safety messages and promoting the work of SURVIVE is its website (www.survivegroup.org). As well as its published work and a database of PAS 43accredited operators, it also contains general road safety advice. Other channels include an e-mail newsletter and a Twitter account (@survivegrouporg). This is supported by an ongoing PR campaign to raise awareness and promote driving safety, which includes attending exhibitions. Next steps The group aims to push forward on a number of fronts to continue raising the bar on standards and will push for changes to the law where these can contribute to safety. It is looking at how its standards and best practice can be widened to include high-speed all-purpose roads as well as motorways, and is also responding to requests for advice from a number of other countries. www.survivegroup.org @survivegrouporg
AA SORT will be exhibiting at The Emergency Services Show 2011 – Stand E31 in Hall 3.
British Red Cross to showcase communications vehicles In another step to improving communications between emergency response services, the British Red Cross is launching new vehicles at The Emergency Services Show 2011. Packed with cutting-edge communications technology, the vehicles are specially designed to enhance the charity's emergency response capability by allowing staff and volunteers to more efficiently coordinate resources on the ground, as well as maintaining communications with partner agencies. Simon Lewis, the British Red Cross Head of Emergency Response and Planning, said, “The launch of these new vehicles is the culmination of a long learning process and experiences from key events and incidents such as the UK floods in 2010, the 7/7 bombings and the Pitt Review. “These vehicles are going to be key to our communication capabilities for both pre-planned
and emergency response incidents locally, regionally and nationally. They offer a comprehensive and fully integrated communications suite including IT, radio, Airwave telephony and satellite communications systems and will support our interoperability with other responding agencies.” Key communications networks Based on a Renault van, with all network systems powered by a Honda generator, the vehicles’ key communications networks provide both online and offline capabilities. The innovative vehicles are also equipped with a range of the latest communications functions ranging from 3G connectivity and WiFi routing, mobile GSM, and Airwave terminals to complement traditional communication technology such as VHF and UHF radios.
Exhibitors and visitors to this year’s Emergency Services Show (ESS) at Stoneleigh Park in Coventry will be able to view and learn about the new Red Cross communications vehicles. “Visitors to ESS will be able to witness some demonstrations and see just how these vehicles are a first in the charity sector,” Simon explained. “With the London 2012 Olympics just around the corner, these vehicles will improve our flexibility and efficiency in emergency response. In designing and building these vehicles, we worked together with experts and communications technology engineers from organisations such as PageOne, Samsung and Bridgit among others, to make sure we got the best systems we possibly could.” www.redcross.org.uk @britishredcross
Visit the British Red Cross on Stand 404 in Hall 3.
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NPIA’s automotive specialists keen to share their knowledge at ESS2011 Like many public bodies, the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) has seen a dramatic transformation over the last year. As part of the NPIA’s transition programme, the Automotive and Equipment Section (AES) has been streamlined and no longer has a workshop at Carterton. Since rationalising our operations earlier this year, our dedicated engineers can now deliver an improved service focusing on the needs of our customers, the police and other emergency services. We’re here to share our extensive knowledge and experience, built up during the past decade. And we retain a mobile test and evaluation service for systems and vehicles in the field. A One Box enabled dash.
Value for money We will ensure our stakeholders and customers are well informed about matters relating to electromagnetic interference from radios, equipment compatibility and the need for correct installation practices. Identifying, managing and reducing the risk of safety-related failures and malfunctions to operational systems and vehicles will ensure safety for officers and the public. In addition, we endeavour to provide value for money for emergency services and other agencies. We achieve this in many ways: • Forces across the country can request an assessment of their vehicles for installation
quality, radio communication efficiency and to identify interference between electronic equipment • Liaison with suppliers to manage certification of equipment and ensure systems are suitable before installation • Facilitate nationwide online forums to obtain feedback from users regarding problematic equipment or vehicles, publicising issues, offer advice and disseminate approved equipment and vehicles • Work with procurement bodies and fleet managers to help draft criteria for framework
agreements, in order to minimise the risk of buying problematic equipment or vehicles • Support projects like the ACPO Single Vehicle Architecture (SVA), aimed at reducing the cost of equipment, installation and support, by effectively allowing the customer to ‘plug and play’ any vehicle fitted electronic equipment. Where in-the-field assessment is not applicable, we have agreed partnerships with test houses around the country who are familiar with our methodologies and specifications. These will accommodate ongoing assessment needs under our guidance, as the certification authority. With the emphasis on saving money, initiatives like the SVA project referred to above make it increasingly likely that forces will want to standardise their equipment and vehicles into this new model. Our assessment and certification is an integral part of this criterion and it would be beneficial for suppliers to approach us early. Any enquires can be directed to aes@npia.pnn.police.uk. www.npia.police.uk/aes
Visit the NPIA Automotive and Equipment Section (AES) on Stand 456 in Hall 3. Author: Paul Flack BEng MIET, Lead Engineer, Automotive & Equipment Section, Operations Directorate, National Policing Improvement Agency.
Cool dogs QinetiQ robot team achieves call out milestone travel with Lintran QinetiQ delivers technology-based solutions, services and advice to governments and public defence organisations all over the world, helping them manage risk, protect vital assets and save lives. QinetiQ’s Project GHOST delivers a 24/7managed service to UK emergency services. The team provides modified Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) at incidents that threaten transport infrastructure. Effective response Initially set up to respond to incidents involving gas cylinders, fire and rescue services have quickly recognised the value of deploying the team to deliver an effect on the fire ground, protect lives and the environment. The team has recently achieved the milestone of 50 call outs and is looking to expand its operations to deliver more support and save lives. The team responds to incidents over much of the central and southern UK using ROVs to access unsafe or
Lintran’s slogan for over 20 years comes to the front now with the new K9 alarm system. Dedicated to keeping dogs comfortable and safe in vehicles, Frank Hopkins and Kev Walsh have developed a new plug and play system, which does not need to be hard-wired into vehicles but can be moved from one to another. restrictive areas, provide imagery into command vehicles and deliver and direct charged fire hoses earlier than could otherwise be done safely. QinetiQ is now looking to expand the service to deploy ROV and operators in support of agencies facing hazards that put people and infrastructure at risk. Contact Bert Appleton by email (rsappleton@qinetiq.com) to discuss how the team could support you. www.qinetiq.com
Qinetiq’s ROVs will be on display on Stand OS9.
Comfortable in vehicles The new plug and play K9 alarm system can be used with multi user fleets. It is economical, compact and easy to use. Whatever it takes, the importance of keeping dogs safe and comfortable in vehicles cannot be overlooked. www.lintran.co.uk
Visit Lintran at The Emergency Services Show 2011 on Stand 390 in Hall 1.
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LED Lenser builds world’s largest torch! LED Lenser, as one of the world’s leading torch brands, is no stranger when it comes to winning awards for design, technology and performance. Over the years the company’s superb hand-held torches and headlamps have won numerous national and international awards. Now the company is proud to announce the latest…and biggest… addition to this ever expanding award collection – that for the world’s largest torch. On 25 September the company officially unveiled the world’s largest torch in front of an expectant crowd in the German City of Soligen at the Night of Lights Festival. The LED (Light Emitting Diode) torch, nearly 4m in length and weighing 216kg, incorporated 19 high-end LEDs that generated an impressive 100,000 lumens of light. On hand to witness and verify this extraordinary testament to LED Lenser’s world-class engineering skills was a representative from the Guinness Book of World Records. This record breaking torch was not only developed with size in mind, but also to highlight energy efficiency. Today’s LED lights are up to 13 times more efficient than conventional light bulbs, and last 1000 times as long. If a luminous flux of 100,000 lumens is supplied to the torch, it consumes 1000W of energy. In comparison, 250
conventional 40W light bulbs consume 10,000W of energy. The design of the world’s largest torch is based on the powerful and widely available LED Lenser X21, which features a dynamic switch, speed focus and the patented Advanced Focus System. Powered by just four standard D-cell batteries, the X21 emits a breathtaking 1000 lumens of light that has a range of around half a kilometre. www.ledlenser.co.uk
Ledco Ltd will be exhibiting on Stand 178 in Hall 2.
Laerdal launches a new generation of defibrillators
A smart helmet choice for the ambulance service
The HeartStart FR3 from Laerdal Medical is a new generation of defibrillator for the emergency medical services and will be launched at this year’s Emergency Services Show. The HeartStart FR3 employs a host of design innovations to help improve the survival rate of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest patients. Laerdal Medical Ltd (Laerdal) has been leading the way in the campaign to raise awareness of the importance of early defibrillation and increase the spread of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in locations where they can be quickly and efficiently used in case of sudden cardiac arrest. Combining an intuitive interface with the most advanced and trusted features of the HeartStart FR2, FRx and MRx, the new HeartStart FR3 delivers the fastest therapy, helps facilitate the delivery of high quality CPR and allows for flexible data management.
Since the Rosenbauer range of helmets has dominated the last three years of supply into the fire and rescue services with the supply of 28,000 helmets, now the HEROS-smart, a favourite among fire and rescue service extrication teams, is being touted as an ideal option of helmet for use in the ambulance sector when an EN443: 2008 standard is required. The HEROS-smart, now available in ‘ambulance service green’ from North Fire, is lightweight yet still offers maximum protection if the need ever arises, the anti-mist and anti-scratch visors (both in conformity to the EN14458: 2004) ensure the paramedic can maintain perfect vision while offering ultimate protection to his/her face and eyes.
Comprehensive product portfolio Also on display from Laerdal will be: SimMan Essential, a realistic, adult, full body, advanced, wireless patient simulator, offering comprehensive clinical functionality to teach the core skills of airway, breathing, cardiac and circulation management; MamaNatalie, a birthing simulator that provides realistic and affordable training in maternal and newborn care; plus Laerdal’s extensive range of familiar and reliable airway management and immobilisation equipment, including The BAG disposable resuscitator, the Stifneck collar, SpeedBlocks head immobiliser, the BaXstrap Spineboard and MediCool. www.laerdal.com
The HeartStart FR3 will on display in Stand 8 where visitors will also have an opportunity to enter a draw to win a Philips 19in Flat Screen TV!
www.north-fire.com
North Fire Plc is exhibiting on Stand 177 in Hall 1.
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Winsted’s new console has training role for Dyfed Powys Police
Leading control room furniture manufacturer Winsted Europe & Middle East will be demonstrating its flagship Sight-Line console at The Emergency Services Show. Sight-Line consoles are modular, reconfigurable and expandable, providing a range of ‘future-proof’ advantages for emergency services applications. Demonstrating this, a custom-built Sight-Line console has recently been supplied as part of a new training simulation system installed at Dyfed Powys Police headquarters in Carmarthen, Wales. The project enables officers from the force to gain on-the-job training in a real world environment that can be monitored in simulated conditions. The immersive training simulation system is based around a control room manned by operators
who follow the reactions of officers situated in a number of separate, but linked training rooms. The control room operators observe and record how the officers cope in managing a range of simulated emergency situations with which they’re presented. The operators can also adapt the environmental conditions in the training rooms from this central facility, as the officers demonstrate their real-time leadership and decision-making skills during critical incidents. Key factor Winsted’s Sight Line console system has proved a key factor in enabling this monitoring/recording function to operate effectively and was supplied for the project following the company’s success in
winning a competitive tender organised by IT and audio-visual systems integrator Tecknowledge (www.tecknowledge.co.uk), which has overseen the whole project. Three operators will normally operate the system, utilising equipment including two media wall banks of 14 monitors positioned around the console, in addition to a number of larger display screens and spot monitors. Winsted provided deskmounted frames to house these displays. Meanwhile, in a separate media suite, ‘green screen’ recording role-play can be carried out using video content displayed on two 42in LCD screens. Winsted’s wide ranging equipment includes its trademark ergonomic and ‘future-proof’ modular consoles, as well as its flexible and engineered products including monitor walls, workstations and digital desks. The company’s modular furniture offers construction advantages enabling their configuration to be tailored specifically to meet precise operating requirements. Winsted’s comprehensive range of products and related accessories can be supplied from stock or customised and the company’s R&D programme benefits from continual input based on customer feedback. www.winsted.co.uk
Visit Winsted on Stand 287 in Hall 1.
Instant shelter has community fire safety role Surf & Turf Instant Shelters has worked with experts within the emergency services to create a range of robust instant shelters that are quick and easy to erect while simple to transport and stow away – all shelters pack away neat and tidy into their own carry cases. Whether it is the scene of crime where speed is
essential to preserve the evidence or a mobile treatment room, Surf & Turf has a shelter to suit your demands. Having listened to emergency response vehicle operatives, who needed a shelter to pack down smaller than ever before; the company has designed a more compact shelter available in four sizes, which pack down to just 100cm.
All the shelters can be branded with simple text and logos or can be fully printed with the latest technology to give a full flood print. North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (NYFRS) recently chose this method. Working with Surf & Turf’s in-house design team the company created a mobile house that NYFRS took to schools to teach and inform children on the importance of fire safety. The service came to Surf & Turf Instant Shelters with the idea of having a 3m x 3m Pop Up Gazebo made to look like the inside of a bedroom. They wanted the scene to contain posters, windows, drawers etc in order to make the bedroom look as realistic as possible. Realistic interior Surf & Turf Instant Shelters graphic designers came up with the finished artwork and, once agreed, manufactured the sidewalls and printed canopy. The pop up gazebo had to be lightweight yet strong, so the company recommended the ProTex2 grade of shelters, giving the fire and rescue service a strong 40mm aluminium hexagonal leg frame. www.surfturf.co.uk
See Surf & Turf Instant Shelters at The Emergency Services Show 2011 on Stand 242 in Hall 1.
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Distributor deal for Thomas Jacks Thomas Jacks Ltd has been appointed exclusive UK distributor for Guide Infrared’s new range of hand-held, compact, lightweight, uncooled thermal imagers that allow detection of thermal targets even through physical obscurants such as haze, smoke, light rain or snow, both in daylight or total darkness. They allow detection of subjects that may not be possible with image intensified night vision solutions alone. Thermal imaging A new name to the UK market, Guide Infrared is the world’s fourth largest thermal imaging manufacturer. The company’s range is substantial, encompassing systems designed for industrial applications, fire fighting, vehicle navigation assistance, fixed location perimeter protection as well as hand-held security/surveillance devices.
Thomas Jacks Ltd has exclusivity on the product for the law enforcement/emergency services, search and rescue, security, marine security and land management markets. Major advantages over other cost-effective thermal imagers include a 50Hz image refresh rate that gives real time imaging. Other systems use a <9Hz system that means you will see latency or image lag in the image, especially when you are in motion (vehicle, boat etc) or you are tracking a moving object. Impressive spec All models, bar one, feature a 384x288 resolution that offers 30 percent more pixels than the nearest rival product. This translates to a clearer, wider angled view combined with a longer detection range. The facility to record still (JPEG) or video images (MPEG 4) at the touch of a button on to standard SD memory cards (up to 4Gb) is included as standard on all models. The IR518 uses 4 x AA batteries that are user-interchangeable in less than 40 seconds. A ¼in tripod socket is standard on all models. And, finally, you get an industry leading 24-month warranty with every unit. www.thomasjacks.co.uk
Visitors can see the Guide Infrared range ‘in the flesh’ on Stand 47 in Hall 2.
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Primetech ensures rowers are not all at sea
On 4 December 2011, two men will set off from Grand Canaria to row the Atlantic in aid of Parkinson’s UK. Facing the prospect of 2500 Nautical miles (around 2900 land miles) they should land in Antigua about three months later. Organised by WoodVale Challenges, this is without doubt one of the toughest rowing events in the world. Primetech is delighted to be sponsoring the two rowers, Chris and Tom Howard – the Oar Raisers, by providing the communications technology they require to ensure they can maintain contact with the outside world during their epic journey. Henry Walker, Director of Primetech, explains, “The charitable link with Parkinson’s UK was the initial driving factor that led to us getting involved with Chris and Tom. However, it is turning out to be a really exciting project of ingeniously adapting landbased technology for a completely different navigational and communication purpose.”
Reliable voice and data capability Primetech is supplying an Iridium 9500 satellite phone, complete with DATA kit. This provides a highly reliable voice and data capability in areas outside of cellular network coverage or limited landline services – such as the middle of the Atlantic – by linking directly with one of Iridium’s 66 satellites orbiting the earth. In addition, Primetech’s new multi-function DVR unit, Rhino MPCS (Multi-Purpose Computer System), will also be making its maiden voyage
aboard the boat. This compact unit includes cameras for simultaneous recordings, dual monitor, 3G and WiFi and an on board GPS tracker, which means the boat’s progress can be monitored on Google Maps – and all in a little box weighing just 4lbs (1.8kg). Resilient communication system ARL Communications, Primetech’s strategic partner, is providing the boat with a unique communication application, EARL (Emergency Area Radio Link), which will link the rowers to the 24-hour emergency receiver at WoodVale’s headquarters. This improves communications effectiveness by producing a resilient communication system over any bearer. It utilises quickly deployable, portable gateways, linking the system (used by the rowers) to the internet via satellite to WoodVale, providing video and recordable voice and text communications. EARL ensures networks operate as one when required and authorised, separate when not. For additional security, EARL is now housed within an ISO27001 accreditation site, with a massive bandwidth, part of BT’s 21st Century Network. Multi-agency interoperability Throughout the voyage Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) will be hosting a secondary EARL connection, both to support the rowers and to assess the technology. Using multiple bearer connectivity, mobile DVR and interoperable communications in a marine environment is of great interest to GFRS. The organisation has recently opened the first combined water rescue station in the UK, and is committed to multiagency interoperability and resilience. Henry continues, “We’re hoping that by creatively incorporating the latest communications technology into the boat, Chris and Tom might not feel quite so isolated when they are in the middle of the Atlantic. We look forward to talking to them regularly, tracking their progress on Google Maps and collectively wish them every success.” www.primetech.co.uk
To see a demonstration, visit Primetech on Stand 358 in Hall 1 at The Emergency Services Show 2011.
Thermal imaging and fire fighting telemetry for the emergency services
Eagle Attack thermal imaging camera
Scott Safety, a specialist in respiratory and personal protective equipment and safety devices for fire, rescue and other industrial sectors across the globe, will be exhibiting at this year’s The Emergency Services Show 2011. Visitors to Stand 100 will be able to view the latest technology for the emergency services, including the new Eagle Attack thermal imaging camera and Alert ATS telemetry system. Since the introduction of thermal imaging technology to the fire and rescue services, Scott Safety has been at the forefront of innovation providing advanced, fireground proven thermal cameras to first responders for use in search and rescue, overhaul operations and hot spot identification. The new Eagle Attack thermal imaging camera delivers all the performance, quality and durability that firefighters demand. Its high-resolution design provides users with great image quality and functionality not normally available in lightweight imagers. Developed for onthe-job reliability, durability and ease-of-use, the Eagle Attack imager is one of the lightest and most portable imagers in the industry. The ALERT ATS is the latest development in advanced fire fighting electronics and telemetry from Scott. Designed in consultation with fire and rescue services across Europe, the ALERT ATS marks a significant development in advanced fire fighting electronics and telemetry, offering fire and rescue services the opportunity to create a system that meets their exact requirements. www.scottsafety.com
For more information about Scott Safety and its range of products for the emergency services please visit the team on Stand 100 in Hall 2.
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Leading the way on HazMat response These are very interesting times in the often complicated world of HazMat response, with the imminent publication of our first consolidated national guidance, which will finally pull together hundreds if not thousands of pieces of legacy guidance from the past 60 years. I have been fortunate enough to be closely involved in the development of this guidance, supporting the Chief Fire and Rescue Advisor team. In particular my team at West Midlands Fire Service has taken a lead role in advancing our ability to deal with asbestos. This has led to the creation of an asbestos identification and evaluation capability, which supplements existing national Detection, Identification and Monitoring (DIM) assets by making use of high-powered microscopes at the scene of an incident. This has led to even quicker identification, which in turn improves firefighter safety and reduces the time and cost of returning to use potentially contaminated equipment, such as breathing apparatus (BA).
WMFS are looking into the use of the service’s Unmanned Arial System, ISIS, as a way to measure the level of toxicity within a smoke plume.
Specialist advice at incidents My own brigade has also significantly enhanced its retained scientific advisor capability as a result of the forthcoming guidance. This has proved to be a very cost effective method of providing specialist advice at incidents and we have been able to spread
the cost between regional partners. We make use of people whose skills in their ‘day job’ complement their response roles, such as field analysis professionals, environmental experts and transport classification specialists. Advisors form one part of a highly trained response team including well trained and experienced fire officers working closely with police, ambulance and other agency colleagues. We are even looking into the use of West Midlands Fire Service’s Unmanned Arial System, ISIS, as a way to measure the level of toxicity within a smoke plume. We are working closely with colleagues from the health sector and the Environment Agency and hope to be ‘piloting’ this capability early in the New Year.
New ways of working These new ways of working are necessary because the types of incidents we face are changing too. We are seeing a rapid increase in clandestine drug production, in particular the growing of cannabis, often in unusual and unexpected locations. Chemical suicides present a new threat to responders, and there is the ever present danger of terrorist activity. It is increasingly important that we are able to provide initial assessment in a rapid and low-key manner to ensure early categorisation and confirmation of substance with the minimum of disruption. All these developments have enabled West Midlands Fire Service, in partnership with our neighbours and particularly Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, to create a resource capable of meeting the needs of the region, and even to provide cover in Dorset during next year’s Olympics. Clearly at a time of great financial strain, maintaining world-class services such as these will become more difficult. However, I am confident that there is a strong consensus among senior practitioners that the rapid pace of development and improvement seen in recent years can and will be sustained. www.wmfs.net
Visit West Midlands Fire Service at The Emergency Services Show 2011 on Stand E71 in Hall 3. Author: ACFO Dave Walton, West Midlands Fire Service & CFOA HazMat Lead.
Portable floodlights, searchlights and flashlights NightSearcher Ltd is one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of portable floodlights, searchlights and flashlights. The company is a major supplier to the police, fire and rescue services, military, railway infrastructure industries, utility and industrial companies, among others, and its high quality professional products are designed to give many years of service.
NightSearcher’s products are also exported to many countries worldwide and are registered to ISO 9001:2008 standard, meaning many of the company’s products are NATO-coded. The Solaris range continues to lead the way in portable LED floodlighting. Taking the head as a starting point, 3500 lumens are now offered as standard, generated by 18 high powered CREE®
LEDs, each using a unique intelligent optic, enabling the perfect balance of flood and distance, while eliminating glare, giving a cool running shadow-free white light. With different configurations available, NightSearcher can now offer 24,000 lumens from a four-headed battery unit or 6000 lumens from a single head unit, weighing under 6kg, making it the most powerful portable LED unit in the world. Supplied and incorporated in a robust outdoor case, the Solaris range is truly a viable alternative to generator-powered halogen as they are fully portable, emit no noise or emissions and run cool, making them safe for confined spaces. An LED version of the company’s popular Panther searchlight has also been introduced. It has four light settings: high (five hours running time/1500 lumens/750m beam); and low (12 hours), strobe and flashing. The lightweight version of the Panther LED weighs only 1.6kg. The most powerful searchlight in the range is the Panther HID at 5200 lumens. www.nightsearcher.co.uk
Visit NightSearcher Ltd on Stand 122 in Hall 2.
Emergency Services Times November 2011
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The Maritime Volunteer Service: ‘keeping maritime skills alive’ The Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS), formed in 1994, is a unique national charity funded entirely by voluntary contributions, organised exclusively by volunteers being responsible for raising its own funds and having no direct financial assistance from the public purse. The service has units throughout the UK, mainly in coastal locations but there are some inland waterway units. One already well established inland unit is at Tewkesbury on the River Severn. It proved itself in assisting other responders during local flooding in the area a while ago. Wye Valley at Monmouth, Gwent, opened in June 2011 while other similar units are planned in the Thames Valley, on rivers and lakes and along the canal network. Scotland also has a growing membership on the west coast and is working on opening several new units shortly. There is only one unit in Northern Ireland at Bangor but the service hopes to see others there too in the future. Uniformed and disciplined The MVS is a uniformed and disciplined civilian service headed by the Chief Volunteer Officer (CVO), Don Downer, who is based in London. As a Registered Charity and company limited by guarantee it has a National Council comprising the Trustees, who also act as the Directors of the company. There is a small HQ team, which provides the essential administrative support and the CVO is supported by two Area Volunteer Officers plus Regional Volunteer Officers who manage and support the network of units. The MVS is recognised by the Royal Navy and Ministry of Defence and has a warrant to fly its unique defaced Red Ensign, which it does with pride. There are at present just over 400 members
in 30 units around the country and most of the units have their own training craft. MVS also has two larger training vessels, a 75ft ex RN Fleet Tender and a 55ft ex RN Harbour Launch that are both used for sea training. An MVS National Resilience Manager heads a Resilience Working Group with representation on Local Resilience Forms and Voluntary Sector Working Groups around the country and the service is also represented on the MCA Local Search and Rescue Committee of the Solent South Coast region. The MVS also exercises with the MCA and emergency services and other member organisations in the voluntary sector. Raising awareness Members of the service endeavour to raise public awareness of the vital roles of national organisations such as the RNLI, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the importance of both the Royal and Merchant Navy to our island nation. Many units put their training to good use to perform coastal, harbour and river safety roles assisting HM Coast Guard, local harbour authorities and the
Environment Agency using unit boats that range from launches to dories and RIBs and units are prepared to respond to issues that directly affect their local community.
MVS is a maritime training organisation and anyone over the age of 18 interested in learning afloat skills or wishing to be involved in ashore operations is encouraged to join. It trains people in seamanship, basic engineering and operational support skills but also welcomes people who can bring their life skills into the organisation in any of these disciplines and who is willing to pass on these skills to new and inexperienced trainees. Contact with the MVS can be made via a contact form on the service’s national website (www.mvs.org.uk) or more directly with the MVS National Resilience Manager by e-mail (david.dobson@mvs.org.uk). www.mvs.org.uk
See the MVS on Stand E35 in Hall 3.
RVG consistently exceeds expectations of high quality As a market leader in the supply of vehicle markings and applicators of vehicle graphics in the UK, RVG, based in Weston-Super-Mare, operates within the emergency services, Chapter 8 and commercial vehicle livery markets. Having been established for over 12 years, the company has developed its expertise and knowledge within all these operating sectors and fully understands the intricacies of each one. RVG is renowned for the provision of high quality products and a consistent high quality level of service delivery. It invests heavily and encourages its employees to innovate, wherever possible, to keep ahead of the market and provide solutions for existing and potential customers.
RVG works very closely with all the major vinyl suppliers to ensure it is aware of the latest industry technology and development. These relationships
ensure the company can approach all clients with a wealth of knowledge to help them decide with confidence that RVG is their preferred supplier. The company’s flexible approach to its clients’ needs enables RVG to offer a onestop shop service from design, supply and installation or the ability to pick one of these service elements. RVG is not restricted by location and its fitters operate throughout the UK. Whether it is design, manufacture, supply and fit or a fully integrated service RVG can assist so for further information or a quote please e-mail: signs@eurosignsgb.co.uk or Tel: 01934 421400. www.rvgonline.co.uk
Visit RVG on Stand 240 in Hall 1.
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72 | ADVERTORIAL
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The Professional Clothing Awards: rewarding excellence throughout the working garment supply train Entries are now open for the Professional Clothing Awards, which aspire to reward excellence throughout the working garment supply chain – including companies and individuals that make, sell or buy uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the emergency services. The entry process for the Professional Clothing Awards went live on 19 September 2011 at www.professionalclothingawards.com. If you haven’t yet entered then don’t miss the opportunity to gain worldwide recognition for your achievements. The event, which is organised by the Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show (www.workwearshow.com) in association with SATRA Technology Centre, is free to enter and contains something for everyone across the whole spectrum of the international working garment supply chain. So, whether you are involved in the procurement of items of clothing, a full uniform, or the manufacture of PPE components and materials, there will be at least one category relevant to you. Three categories The awards are split into three group categories. The first is the Business Manager Awards, and winners will be announced for ‘Best Uniform for PPE’, ‘Best Uniform for Workwear’, and ‘Best Uniform for Corporate Clothing’. The ‘Business Manager of the Year’ award will then be presented to the individual who has gone beyond the call of duty in their role. The industry’s buyers play a crucial part in driving innovation in this industry and, because their decisions have the power to greatly improve the comfort and safety of millions of workers all over the world; their efforts deserve to be celebrated. Yet the organisers of the Business Manager Awards also wanted to recognise the rest of the industry’s hard work and dedication. This is why a second group of categories has been called the Supplier Awards. These will recognise superior service, quality products and rigorous processes within a company. The categories range from ‘Best Stock Design for Corporate Clothing’ and ‘Best Stock Design for Workwear’ to ‘Best Catalogue’ and ‘Best Contribution to Environmental Sustainability’. The third and final group is the SATRA PPE Innovation Awards, which will look to identify the best in technical innovation, design and
development in personal protective equipment (PPE) across all segments and sectors. World leading Yvette Ashby, Managing Director of the Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show, says SATRA is the perfect partner for the awards. She says, “SATRA is a world leading technology centre specialising in the research, development and testing of a wide range of products including PPE, for which it is a Notified Body for the EU Directives. Its brand is recognised and respected in over 70 countries and we look forward to working with SATRA on these exciting new awards, which we are opening up to international businesses from all over the world.”
Independent judging A panel of independent industry experts will judge all entries. The winners will be announced and presented with handcrafted crystal trophies at the gala award dinner on 17 April at the E.ON Lounge at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. The overall winner of the SATRA PPE Innovation awards will also receive invaluable research, testing and product development opportunities from SATRA up to the value of £10,000! Tickets are now available for the award ceremony, which comprises an elegant Champagne reception, a mouth-watering three-course dinner, live music entertainment and a disco. The Professional Clothing Awards will provide a rare opportunity for people to come together to celebrate their achievements and to also reflect on the wider importance of working in an industry that has the power to fundamentally change the working lives of end users for the better. Don’t delay, enter today! So don’t delay in entering – you have until 28 November to apply online at www.professionalclothingawards.com or you can request a form to be posted to you by e-mailing: info@workwearshow.com To purchase your gala award dinner ticket call +44 (0) 870 870 4578 or for more information visit www.professionalclothingawards.com
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Humanitarian charity provides equipment and training overseas to improve fire fighting, first aid and rescue capabilities Operation Florian, established in 1995 (Reg No 1054657) is a UK fire and rescue service humanitarian charity working to promote the protection of life, among communities in need, worldwide, by the provision of equipment and training to improve fire fighting, first aid and rescue capabilities.
sustainable projects, communities receive thorough training and also learn how to maintain these vital pieces of equipment. Operation Florian is a self-funding charity and relies heavily on the support of the fire sector to help raise funds. Do you want to compete in the Great North Run, Manchester 10k or the very popular New York Marathon? Alternatively if you would like to raise funds, sponsor an appliance or
make a donation to the charity, please contact the charity to discuss this further (details below). Operation Florian helped countries from Paraguay to Bosnia and from Macedonia to Bulawayo and will continue to help save lives. For further information please contact Cathy Clark â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tel: 01304 617859/07508933294 or e-mail: fundraising.opflorian@hotmail.com. www.operationflorian.com
The charity was formed after Bosnia and Croatia were badly damaged by the war and much of their fire fighting equipment was destroyed. Following a visit from the town of Split to its twin, firefighters from Manston were asked to help identify and provide some resources to deal with fires. While visiting the area a serious fire developed on the Island of Brac, just off the Istrian Peninsular, adjacent to Split. It soon become evident that the people on the Island did not have the resources to prevent the fire spreading and destroying acres of forest and buildings. Firefighters from the Defence Fire Service decided that they wanted to assist further, hence the formation of Operation Florian â&#x20AC;&#x201C; named after the patron saint of firefighters.
Escalation in effort The first donation of a fire appliance and some equipment was to the Island of Brac and is still in service on the island some 17 years later. However, the success had a price, further aid was needed, which necessitated an escalation in effort. Since then the charity has assisted many deprived communities and has delivered thousands of pounds worth of equipment. By setting up
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National Resilience Extranet – Proven multi-agency collaboration across the UK The publication of the Rule 43 report from the 7 July 2005 London Bombings has yet again highlighted the importance of multi-agency interoperability among all members of the responder community. One of the factors that was deemed to have hampered the response was the lack of a common system through which all organisations planning for and responding to an incident, could share information quickly, securely and efficiently. By placing information on a single secure, resilient and accessible platform the National Resilience Extranet (NRE) can address these problems. elivered by BT and Ultra Electronics, the NRE infrastructure is currently the only secure and resilient platform that is available to all Category 1 and 2 responders and other organisations involved in planning for and responding to an emergency incident. By effectively using the Collaborative working tool hosted on the NRE, organisations can have 24/7 access to information that they require, and provided that the organisations involved have tried and tested business processes in place, the benefits of its use will be quickly realised.
“The need to share information quickly and securely across multiple agencies is critical in times of planning and response. The National Resilience Extranet is at the heart of providing this essential service to the responder community.” NRE utilisation The NRE is already proving to be an essential and strategic civil resilience tool, having been used to support a number of recent exercises and actual incidents. In August, as widespread public disorder erupted in major cities across the UK, the Cabinet Office utilised the NRE to quickly and securely disseminate the Top Lines Briefs (TLBs) to all members of the UK resilience community with access to the NRE. As well as using ‘Events’ and ‘Briefings’ on the NRE to log the updates, the ‘Mail’ functionality was used to notify users of updates. Communities and Local Government also uploaded consolidated SitReps to allow localised information to be shared at a national level. This allowed the agencies involved to see not just how the situation was developing, but how the criminal justice system was coping in its aftermath.
Although the NRE has been exercised at all levels and used for live local level incidents, this was the first time that it had been used to share information for an actual national level incident. Earlier this year, the NRE was used during Exercise Watermark to coordinate localised responses, as well as to monitor national updates. In addition to these examples, exercises in Lancashire, Cumbria, Devon & Cornwall and other parts of the UK have demonstrated the service’s worth. A key benefit of the NRE system is that all the information related to an event/incident is collated in one place so that everyone involved has access to the same information wherever located.
National footprint Just over a year since the NRE service entered into full operating capability, the number of organisations subscribing is growing steadily; over 660 organisations are already registered which represents approximately 60 percent of the resilience community in the UK. We are pleased to have such a widespread take up of the NRE across the various LRFs/SCGs. Cumbria, Dumfries & Galloway, Lancashire, Northumbria, and Devon & Cornwall are just some areas who have integrated, or are in the process of integrating, the NRE into their business processes and have demonstrated the service’s benefits in supporting emergency planning and response. These organisations have identified the associated benefits of training, exercising and regular day-to-day utilisation that the NRE brings.
At the end of September 2011 the Cabinet Office exercised its option for a two-year extension to the existing NRE contract; as such the NRE can continue to be developed to ensure it meets the needs of its end users.
“For a low cost outlay, organisations can get set up on the service and significantly enhance their civil emergency planning, response and recovery capabilities producing significant savings in the long term.” For more information If you are interested in subscribing to the NRE or require further details, these can be found at www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/nre or by contacting the Cabinet Office NRE Project team by emailing NREenquiries@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk or Ultra Electronics directly at NRE.marketing@ultra-ccs.com or Tel: 01772 907600. www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/nre
Emergency Services Times November 2011
Author: John Harrison, NRE Project Manager, Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat.
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Are you ready for winter? ‘Get Ready for Winter’ is a project to join up Government messages to individuals and communities on getting ready for winter. The purpose of the project is to: raise awareness for the need for winter planning; highlight some very simple and straight forward advice – ie five top tips for travelling; and to give one point of entry – Direct.gov – to access a range of advice, ie for more health, homes, travel and communities. This initiative follows the severe winter of 2010/11, which affected many individuals and communities, and highlighted the need to ensure that there was good advice and guidance easily available. During last winter there were many preventable deaths, the majority occurring among older people, most of which were due to increased disease, strokes and respiratory problems, not hypothermia. Many of these deaths were preventable. Last winter insurance companies received over 100,000 claims for burst pipes, which resulted in hundreds of millions of pounds worth of physical damage. What these insurance figures don’t describe is the misery of having your home flooded, of losing precious items and the possible
inconvenience and isolation of having to live in temporary accommodation away from your family, friends and work.
promotion, such as Anne Milton from Health speaking at the Voluntary Sector Forum Conference and a press briefing hosted by Water UK and led by Anne McIntosh, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Water, the main impact will be at grass roots, with lots of really excellent work being done locally. The site will stay live throughout the winter and can be accessed from the following link: www.direct.gov.uk/getreadyforwinter. Partners and government will continue to promote and signpost to the site throughout winter.
Top tips A number of government departments, industry bodies and voluntary sector partners worked to set up a site on Direct.gov to give individuals and www.direct.gov.uk/getreadyforwinter communities top tips on keeping themselves and their families warm, healthy and safe through the cold weather, with links to more and detailed information. There was a focused promotion of the site during the week of 24-30 October, to coincide with the week that the clocks go back encouraging people to use the extra hour to think about what preparations they may need to make. Partner bodies and other organisations (local authorities, charities, voluntary bodies) have all been encouraged to promote this site. While there is some national Firefighters clear snow to maintain emergency response at Doncaster fire station.
London prepares for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games With under a year to go until the start of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, London Fire Brigade (LFB) is picking up the pace of the work it is doing to help ensure the Games is safe for competitors, spectators and visitors. There will be an estimated 500,000 extra people visiting London each day during Olympic Gamestime, while 15,000 competitors will be in action at 22 venues. This presents a range of challenges. From community safety messaging to ensuring that effective fire safety solutions have been included within the building infrastructure used in the Olympic Village, the brigade is working in many different areas to support the safety of the Games and provide a lasting legacy for the capital. LFB has an Olympics Project Team, which manages the Olympic and Paralympics work across the organisation, coordinates the planning of the UK fire and rescue service and ensures that the fire sector is working effectively with key external organisations. Greater awareness Currently, there are LFB officers embedded in key roles within a number of the other Olympic partner organisations, which helps the fire and rescue service understand what other agencies are planning. It also means LFB can develop a greater
awareness of how the fire and rescue service can support the planning for the Games. Two senior officers are currently embedded within the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) working with them on the integration into the venue operational planning, the design and development of the venues, including the licensing requirements; this is supplemented by two officers working with the Joint Local Authority Building Control and a senior officer working with the Olympic Policing Coordination Team. Two more officers work full-time at the Olympic Park, liaising with contractors to reduce the risk of fires and other emergencies occurring during the lead up to the Games. They also organise visits to ensure local fire crews are familiar with the Park. Operational plans are regularly updated to reflect the changing nature of the Park’s development. Temporary deployment bases Throughout the 64-day Games period the LFB will have three temporary deployment bases in operation (24/7) covering the whole of the Olympic Park site. One of these will be in the main Olympic Park, another in the Athletes’ Village and one will be in the Main Media Centre. These stations will provide a rapid operational response as part of a staged response to incidents.
Other competition venues outside of the main Olympic Park will have either fire appliances ‘standing by’ in the venue or ‘reserved’ for the event at the nearest fire station. Multi-agency coordination A multi-agency National Olympic Coordination Centre (NOCC) will also be established for the duration of the Games. This will provide a focal point for the coordination of all the safety and security partners. To complement the NOCC there will be a range of local and national command and control structures that link together police, fire and rescue, ambulance, health and local authorities and other security and safety partners. As the months before Games time unfold and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games get nearer, the brigade will be further stepping up its work to ensure that it is ready for the challenges associated with staging ‘the greatest show on earth’. However, it also important to acknowledge that London Fire Brigade has a responsibility to maintain its ‘business as usual’ activities and this has been factored in to the brigade’s plans to ensure that the rest of the capital continues to receive the world-class fire and rescue service and the excellent response times it deserves. www.london-fire.gov.uk
Emergency Services Times November 2011
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RUD ROTOGRIP Light Truck - traction in a compact space saving design. For light-duty vehicles with or without an on-board air system.
Optional: Air compressor assembly available for vehicles without an air supply. • Chain system in compact, weight saving design. • Chain wheel with 8 replaceable case hardened stainless steel chain strand ensure ideal traction. • Chain wheel s flexible spreader ring gives low speed performace and uniform distribution of the chain strands. • Chain Strand are fully effective at speeds from approximately 3mph in both forward and reverse.
Rud Chains Ltd Units 10-14 John Wilson Business Park, Thanet Way, Whitstable, Kent CT5 3QT
Tel 01227 276611 Fax 01227 276586 www.rud.co.uk
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UK Rescue Challenge success for London Fire Brigade With nearly a year of preparations, hundreds of firefighters and literally tonnes of heavy-duty specialist equipment, from 23-24 September London Fire Brigade hosted the country’s largest and most prestigious firefighter event – UK Rescue Challenge London 2011. The event, hosted by the brigade on behalf of UK Rescue Organisation (UKRO) at the awardwinning Excel Centre, saw teams compete in four complex rescue disciplines: Trauma, USAR (Urban Search and Rescue), Rope Rescue and Extrication. Based on reconstructions of real incidents, firefighters used their skills and specialist equipment to cut trapped casualties out of crashed cars, rescue people from cranes and collapsed buildings as well as provide emergency medical care until the paramedics’ arrival. Hosted in the capital for the first time in the competition’s nine-year history, the UK Rescue Challenge attracted teams from 36 fire and rescue services across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Four international teams from the Republic of Ireland, Germany and Spain also took part in the event. Fire Brigade have put on a fantastic challenge that has provided an opportunity for firefighters to test their skills and enhance their learning within the extremely challenging environment that they face when attending real incidents. This year’s event
was a success and we look forward to the next year’s challenge in Lincolnshire”. For a full round up of results, visit the London Fire Brigade website. www.london-fire.gov.uk/UKRescueChallenge2011.asp
Community safety showcase USAR success London’s own team came first in the USAR discipline, with the brigade’s Trauma and Rope Rescue crews making it into the top three. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Mark Andrews said, “Firefighters from across the country and Europe used the challenge as an opportunity to test and hone their skills, trial new equipment and try new ways of rescuing people. Different brigades took the opportunity to learn from each other, which will ultimately help improve how we rescue casualties at real incidents.
“Our own teams did exceptionally well, particularly the rope rescue and USAR crews, as this was the first time they participated in the competition. Well done to all the participating teams and a huge thank you to everyone who supported us.” Chair of UK Rescue Organisation (UKRO) Steve Apter said, “UKRO working with London
In addition to the competing challenges, London Fire Brigade also ran a Community Safety Village to showcase the work the UK’s biggest fire and rescue service carries out in local communities. On the first day of the two-day event, nearly a thousand schoolchildren from local primary schools across Newham visited the village. They were treated to a variety of demonstrations, including a schools’ team workshop, a ‘sniffer’ demonstration by the brigade’s fire investigation dogs, the ever-popular hot fat fire exercise and a Hot fat fryer demonstration. specially tailored outreach competition. The brigade also created a Hazard House, outfitted by IKEA, to help children learn about potential fire hazards in the home. During the second day, firefighter families and friends from across the UK as well as the general public came along to learn about fire safety and various community initiatives run by the brigade. Newham Borough Commander Wayne Browne, assisted by his local firefighter crew, also delivered a number of presentations outlining the fire and rescue service provision in Newham and discussing the impact of the proposed Olympic travel routes, which will have a huge impact on traffic levels in the borough. A cooking challenge took place on both days, with firefighters from East Ham and Silvertown competing to win the honours in the breakfast, lunch and dinner cook-offs. They were helped by catering students from Newham College, preparing meals from ingredients provided by the Co-op. The audience was asked to judge the competition, with Silvertown’s firefighters emerging as overall winners. While the cooking was underway, the audience was told about the common causes of kitchen fires and how easy it is to prevent a cooking-related fire from happening in the first place. Kathryn Bloomfield, London Fire Brigade’s Community Safety Partnerships Manager, said, “The Community Safety Village was a huge success. We were very pleased with the feedback from both, members of the public and the visiting schools, and are now looking forward to starting community safety preparations for next year’s World Rescue Competition, to be hosted by the brigade.” www.london-fire.gov.uk
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MFC Survival Rescue Day showcases equipment and training The recent MFC Survival Rescue Day was a great success with perfect weather conditions to match. Held at and in conjunction with the Cardiff International White Water (CIWW) centre, the event attracted attendees from emergency services around the UK. CIWW is a recognised centre of excellence by several bodies including Canoe Wales and the BCU and is frequently used as a training venue by Europe’s rescue services. The day started with a brief introduction from Frances Hunt of MFC Survival and then it was on to practical demonstrations of the MFC Survival equipment and CIWW training in the water. The demonstrations included casualty recovery using an MFC Survival Rescue Sled RS5 and rope rescue technique by CIWW’s instructors; the second demonstration showed a casualty being rescued by the South Wales Police diving team using an MFC Survival 5m Airtrack, an inflatable rescue walkway for rescues on water, mud, ice and unstable terrain. The Airtrack is constructed in a catamaran type shape providing exceptional stability on water, especially during casualty recovery, and clearance on ice, mud flats and unstable terrain. The unique footprint also prevents suction on to mud and soft surfaces. The sunken vehicle rescue demonstrated by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service provided a realistic training scenario for rescuing casualties from a submerged car.
ships’ lifeboats. Its primary function is to recover casualties from the water and is very quick and simple to use, and can be operated by one crew member. In addition, the Fibrelight Cradle can be used as a scramble net or boarding ladder to climb into the boat or disembark safely in an emergency, with very low maintenance necessary this is an extremely versatile product. Service capabilities As well as being involved in the water rescue day with equipment in the water, MFC Survival displayed its service capabilities through its service company Prime Serve and used an inflatable shelter as a display tent to showcase such products
as the company’s low pressure and high pressure airbags and the RS10T Rescue Sled with transom.
To complete the day, CIWW opened up the course for everyone to take a plunge into the rapids and experience for themselves the thrill and skill of white water rafting. For further information please visit the website or visit Stand 46 in Hall 2 at The Emergency Services Show 2011. www.mfcsurvival.com
Multi-agency attendance The attendees included the fire, police and search and rescue service teams who came along to see practical water rescue demonstrations with MFC Survival equipment and the CIWW training capability, together with the opportunity to participate and try out some of the MFC Survival equipment themselves on the white water rafting course. Also in attendance and demonstrating their water rescue skills were the Newfoundland Water Rescue Dogs and their owner Pete Lewin. These dogs are used as an aid to rescue by trained water rescue technicians and love to be in the water. After lunch there was an opportunity for the teams to get into the water and try out some products including the Fibrelight Cradle, a versatile man overboard recovery system designed primarily for use by small rescue craft, rigid inflatables and
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National Cycle Response Group: delivering emergency services cycling standards The purpose of the National CRU Group is to standardise UK practices of cycle response and patrol units to reduce risk, protect staff and their wellbeing, to provide a sustainable nationwide programme and to ensure the best possible service to the public. Cycle Response Units are deployed to emergencies or patrol in areas to assist in public safety by sending a fast first response in a small geographical area. The CRU has a range of benefits: CRU may be the first appropriate response, which has many cost and environmental savings; plus the ability to free up frontline services by providing alternative pathways to assist public safety and to provide the communities they serve with a high profile public face of the emergency or patrol services. Established training standards NCRUG recognises the established emergency services training standards of the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) and the UK affiliate of Public Safety Cycling (PSC), plus the importance of bicycle maintenance and fleet management. Some of these standards have been accepted already into guidance of the police cycle patrol policy by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), the NHS Ambulance Service (National Directors of Operations Group (NDOG)/Association Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE)), St John Ambulance Service, Department for Transport (DfT), and British Cycling (BC). On agreement of emergency services cycling standards others will be able to deliver a safe, uniformed and sustainable programme for the future. The group is led by key people within the NHS ambulance services that have operational cycle response units, with much of the correspondence being completed online. They will develop a guideline and a policy (for organisations), which will cover these topics: 1. NCRUG Instructor Training – PSC Instructor Training and Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Sector (PTLLS) 2. Overview of all required documents, training and deployment, which are: daily checklist at start of shift; service schedule: weekly – monthly – yearly; log (history of the bicycle completed and updated by staff and mechanic); Cycle Certification Test (CCT) (annual safety test); mechanic stock list/Coshh statement; medical itinerary; uniform; PDP annual cycle assessment; risk assessment; equality impact assessment; Assessment Centre (example below); sustainable travel; data analysis; trial proposals; guideline of operation and deployment; specialist cycle training; blue light procedures/legislation and training; and bicycle and equipment specification. Assessment Centre The Assessment Centre provides clear and objective cycle specific guidelines for the recruitment process, highlighting the professional approach of the scheme. It also highlights the effective targeting of recruitment and self-selection
of candidates and means the recruitment process is more robust and decisions are defendable about who is and is not accepted. The process also provides management information about candidates, which is used as part of the overall decision-making process. The information highlights the strengths and weaknesses of employees and proves useful in determining potential training and development.
Details of the tests are shown below: The Aerobic test provides: guidelines for safe ‘patrolling’ heart rate to enable sustained, low level cycling during the day; promotion of end of duty strategies to prevent long-term problems occurring; and creates a motivated environment. The Anaerobic test provides: guidelines for a safe ‘speed’ pace to enable a disciplined approach to cycling; evidence of progression made through traffic; and creates a feeling of purpose as a part of a new cycle workforce. The Cycle Assessments provide: demonstration that the candidate can ride a bicycle; has a basic knowledge of the components of the bicycle; and underpins knowledge of cycle safety. The Cycle Dexterity (ABC Quick Check) Test provides: a demonstration of a basic knowledge of the components of the bicycle; identification of
common causes of failure; and an example of the candidate’s ability to complete repairs within an acceptable time. Further Cycle Training If successful at the assessment centre candidates will be eligible to undertake further cycle training with the accredited emergency services cycling instructor team, ensuring the recognised standard is reached. The second part of the physical requirement is completed within this training over the course of two days. It is based on ability to maintain an average cycle speed and work performance output over this period. This is called the ‘Workforce stamina fit test’. Recertification of fitness is carried out annually at the assessment centre. The course has one day of pre-read material in the candidate’s own time. This will be followed with a written test and, after training, a cycle safety certification test. The course covers: Bike fit and safety check; nutrition and fitness; slow speed skills; group ride to national standards; patrol skills – staff safety; legislation; endurance of a cyclist ‘workforce stamina fit test’; cycle safety test; and a written test. Other services welcomed The group will welcome other emergency services representatives on completion of the standardisation work planned. It is hoped that the group will then be able to oversee cycle response as an advisory group and appoint a training provider. Author: Tom Lynch MBE For more information on the National Cycle Response Group please e-mail Tom at: tom.lynch@lond-amb.nhs.uk
Emergency Services Times November 2011
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Exercise Watermark provides hard lessons on communications and information management In early March 2011, over 11,000 players from more than 350 organisations in the UK resilience community were actively involved in Exercise Watermark, the largest civil protection exercise ever held in England and Wales. Managed by Defra, supported by the Welsh Government and delivered through the Environment Agency, Exercise Watermark set out to test new arrangements for dealing with a severe flood scenario – including surface water, fluvial, reservoir and coastal flooding. These included the National Flood Rescue Arrangements (NFRA), Multi-Agency Flood Plans (MAFP), new flood warning codes and the Flood Forecast Centre (FFC) as part of a range of initiatives implemented since 2007. The core scenario involved ministers at the Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBR), the Welsh Government, more than 10 government departments, 14 Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) and over 100 playing locations while locally delivered exercises involved a further 34 groups. Subject matter expertise was provided during both the planning and delivery stages by Capita Symonds (flood planning and modelling) and VectorCommand (exercise planning and delivery). The latter’s Training & Exercising System software was used to run the exercise and delivered tens of thousands of injects during the four-day exercise, many hundreds of which were hand-written in real time. Setting new standards Exercise Watermark successfully met its aim and is recognised as having set new standards for national and international exercising, and in particular for the comprehensive assessment of UK capability it generated. One of the key areas, which has been looked at in some detail, is that of communications and the sharing of information within and between the various stakeholders. Some of the most important findings (extracted directly from the Interim Report) are outlined below: Extensive, but ineffective, use of information management systems: COBR had access to internal e-mail across government and external email across responder agencies, as well as access to NRE Collaborate. In all cases, however, reporting was in the form of text-based documents, which took so long to generate, collate and précis that the resulting Commonly Recognised Information Picture (CRIP) was generally several hours out of date when published. Further, due to the format (version) of the CRIP, many agencies were unable to open the electronic document. Top Line Briefings (TLB): Some Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) felt that TLBs and other information that was critical for them were not being communicated quickly enough and in some cases were not received at all. Previously distributed by Regional Resilience Teams, LRFs fed back that more detailed information on the wider picture was needed from COBR, CCS and the Lead Government Department (LGD) to enable them to brief the Gold Commanders. Technology at command and control locations: There was a significant difference in the technology available, with notables differences between areas that use a purpose built facility compared to those
working within current facilities that limit the type of set up they can support. Issues such as IT incompatibility, interoperability and poor connectivity caused issues at Strategic Coordination Centres (SCC) and Emergency Operation Centres at all levels. This slowed activity and limited information sharing.
Better-informed decision making can be achieved by ensuring that accurate and up to date information is available to all decision makers. National Resilience Extranet (NRE): The NRE did not improve the speed of communications between responders or up and down tiers of resilience, and even with a very limited number of users key functionality failed. Many of the exercise participants were not registered NRE users, and many that were did not use the NRE during response. The few participants who did attempt to use the NRE during the exercise ranked it during the debrief process as the least efficient and effective means of communication and sharing information – below even fax. Key Recommendation: Introduce a common information platform. A number of differing structures, processes, technology and formats were used for reporting and these national and local variations meant that vital information could not be
shared freely or in a timely manner. Multiple systems used to distribute situation information included the National Resilience Extranet (NRE) and the CLIO police system. Multiple methods of reporting can lead to inconsistency in messages and/or duplication of reporting. There were also concerns raised regarding the speed at which CRIPs and SitReps were fed up from tactical level to strategic level to COBR. Reports took a long time to write and information was often out of date by the time it was received by COBR. Comment Better-informed decision making can be achieved by ensuring that accurate and up to date information is available to all decision makers. Simply uploading a lengthy, detailed document onto the NRE does not constitute the sharing of relevant information – Gold Commanders need to base their decisions on a dynamic view of the combined picture across their areas of responsibility. What is important is that any system must have the functionality to aggregate information for the appropriate recipients. www.emergencycommandsystem.com
Author: Rod Stafford, Director of Command development for VectorCommand, was a member of the Management Team for Watermark and acted as Chief of Staff at Exercise Control and drafted the Assessment of UK Flood Response against National Objectives. Exercise Watermark is on the agenda at The Emergency Services Show Conference 2011 on 23 November. For more details visit www.emergencyuk.com/conference
Emergency Services Times November 2011
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Avon Fire and Rescue Service hosts UN disaster management training The United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) On Site Operations and Coordination Centre (OSOCC) training course is aimed at disaster managers and urban search and rescue team members to teach the intricacies of working in an OSOCC at a future major disaster within the world. Avon Fire and Rescue Service, in partnership with Search and Rescue Assistance in Disasters (SARAID) hosted an OSOCC course at its training centre from 19-22 September, a first for the UK fire and rescue. OSOCC is a coordination centre that manages the potential huge levels of international teams mobilising following a call for international assistance after a major disaster. It provides support to the affected country and assists with resource and information management. As part of this process a Reception and Departure Centre (RDC) is also established at the receiving airport to welcome and assist with the journey logistics of the mobilising international community. Members of OCHA delivered the Avon/SARAID OSOCC course to a delegation of disaster managers from numerous organisations from around the globe, including members of SARAID, a UK nongovernmental organisation (NGO).
Benefits of early coordination SARAID has witnessed first hand the benefits of early coordination at major crisis including the Sri Lanka tsunami, Pakistan and Haiti earthquakes. It was during the Haiti earthquake that SARAID set up and managed the RDC in Santa Domingo airport, Dominican Republic before handing over to later arriving UN officers. Haiti was a unique disaster as this was the largest mobilisation of international search and rescue assets from around the globe. It was disappointing to note that a couple of UN classified heavy urban search and rescue teams failed to set this centre up as they passed through this airport, leaving SARAID to manage and organise the RDC when they arrived. As recognised UN International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) members these teams should have known their responsibility to the INSARAG guidelines and the need to set up the RDC as the first USAR teams through this airport!
The need to provide this early coordination is essential to the overall management of the major disaster that has occurred. The requirement at major disasters is to provide early coordination prior to being able to assist people trapped and hurt within the major disaster, obviously both these activities can be done simultaneously but with an element of control. It must also be remembered that these disasters are the responsibility of the host country and the Local Emergency Management Agencies (LEMA) play the key command and control role, with the support of the international community in a coordination role. This requires certain skills within the OSOCC and RDC that requires elements of sensitivity and political awareness. Efficient and effective information management An OSOCC that is well managed relies on efficient and effective information management. As per the OSOCC course and methodology information management is a continuous process where all stages must be taken in to consideration. The process can be divided into three stages: 1. Input: Information and data may come by sector of humanitarian activity or reported by geographical area. It may come in various formats including meeting minutes, briefings, reports, report forms, ICT tools, etc 2. Throughput: The information has to be processed by the OSOCC through collation and analysis before it is presented in various formats. Processed information provides a good tool for managerial decisions and the OSOCC has to
establish internal processes for comparisons and verification of the information before it is distributed. 3. Output: Various stakeholders will need differing forms of information. High level decision makers need processed and analysed information from a more strategic level while actors on the ground may need displayed, structured and specific information to plan their activities. The OSOCC should have systems for issuing summarised situation reports, but also determine ways of displaying the detailed information on which the reporting is founded. Key roles within the OSOCC include: OSOCC management, including Team Leader; operations; logistics; media; administration; support; information management; liaison; and safety and security. The OSOCC course within the UK allowed the delegates to practise these key roles within a simulated disaster and allow the candidate to manage the vast amounts of information to provide a robust input, throughput and output. Avon Fire and Rescue in partnership with UN OCHA have entered into early communications to run another course next year. www.avonfire.gov.uk www.saraid.co.uk
Emergency Services Times November 2011
Author: Rob Davis, Area Manager and Head of Operational Response for Avon Fire and Rescue Service & Operational Director for Search and Rescue Assistance in Disasters (SARAID).
88 | PRODUCT INFORMATION
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Samalite pushes the boundaries of lightweight area lighting solutions UK manufacturer SMP Electronics, the maker of Samalite products since 1994, has launched a new range of rechargeable head torches and area lighting units using the latest environmentally friendly LED and lithium ion battery technologies. Already established within rail infrastructure, utilities, MoD, heavy industry and the emergency services, SMP is proud to adopt manufacturing techniques and products that minimise the impact on the environment and is able to identify with customer needs to design and manufacture some of the most versatile, unique and powerful lightweight products available today. The new lightweight Samalite area lighting units consist of maintenance free LED and lithium ion batteries, incorporating a high-powered 600m searchlight and a hands-free detachable telescopic floodlight, compacted into a very small and lightweight package, made from high impact resistant polyurethane casings and shatterproof
polycarbonate lenses, ideal for tight spaces. The floodlight gives a true 180° anti-glare shadowfree wall of light at 3200 lumens between six and 10 hours run time at full burn depending on which model is chosen, and can be used simultaneously with its searchlight if required, eliminating the need for noisy generators and hazardous trailing cables. The Samalite area lighting unit weighs in at just 1.75kg making it ideal for rapid response units and helicopter rescue teams where weight is crucial and for floodlighting roadside accidents, scenes of crime, search and rescue and any emergency situation. The units are all rated IP65 and have three light settings to choose from, reducing the brightness and extending the run times if required; the products can also be purchased either black or yellow in colour for visibility, which also glows non-stop in the dark so can be seen when not in use.
There are a number of accessories also available, including storage charging case, canvas holdalls, lightweight telescopic tripods, vehicle brackets etc to enhance the usability of the products. Head torches SMP has also launched its new range of unique lightweight high-powered LED head torches, including the Samalite HL1300W-DL, which gives a true 180° anti-glare shadow-free wall of light at 1300 lumens for up to five hours at full burn using the dual lithium battery packs. This gives the user total visibility and all round vision making this one of the safest head torches to be used over rough terrain and ideal for lighting areas in which to work. Each product also has three light settings to choose from, reducing the brightness and extending the run times if required. www.samalite.com
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Emergency Services Times November 2011
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Digital radio console
Zetron’s DCS-5020 digital console now includes an interface to Motorola MOTOTRBO™ digital mobile radio systems, giving operators control over a rich set of radio features. The new capability provides a quick, costeffective way to add radio despatch consoles to existing MOTOTRBO networks, either at fixed locations or in mobile command facilities, without requiring costly infrastructure connectivity. It also delivers the possibility to interconnect MOTOTRBO radios with TETRA, MPT and conventional radios as well as telephony networks. The features enabled by the new Zetron interface include call ID decode and alias display, call alert, channel select, private and group calls, channel scanning, radio check, emergency calls, text messaging and radio stun and revive. The new interface connects DCS-5020 wirelessly to MOTOTRBO digital mobile radio systems. It supports combinations of up to 30 resources including up to 16 screen-based operator consoles. Distributed processing gives the DCS5020 flexibility, scalability and robustness, delivering the high degree of resilience required for missioncritical 24/7 applications. DCS-5020 digital consoles already in service can be retrofitted with the MOTOTRBO interface.
information for public use, as well as commercially sensitive material in protected limited access areas for customers, the new site offers a more comprehensive one-stop source of information. The site has been carefully colour coded to provide easy navigation throughout the different product areas, which now incorporate, within a single site, fire, ambulance and police products and services. Product sections have links to more comprehensive information in the form of brochure PDFs. www.bristoluniforms.com
Gas detection reference guide
The system features a wireless send button PTT-13WL and the IFB receiver, which enriches a standard wireless phone headset with a ‘push to talk’ (PTT) function. The improved IFBREVARIO allows parallel operation of several systems without interferences, which reduces operating costs significantly. Furthermore, lighteight rechargeable Li-ion batteries reduce the weight of the wireless PTT and increase the operation time. A charging station is also included. Another important addition is the range control function: in case the user is about to step out of range or the communication has already been cut off, the headset produces a continuing beep as a warning tone, until the user steps back into range. www.imtradex.com
Expandable area lighting systems Knowing the dangers of toxic and combustible gases, Scott Safety has produced its own detailed Gas Detection Reference Guide to help others understand and identify the properties and hazards of the gases that can enter the workspace and how best to protect themselves. The guide includes specific information on the different types of technology used in gas detection, the benefits and limitations of the different sensor types and how they can be best utilised to provide the safest protection. It is an essential tool for those with a responsibility for managing safe working environments in industries where conditions may be compromised by toxic and combustible gases.
www.zetron.com
www.scottsafety.com/gasdetectionguide
New website
Control room comms
Bristol has a new website that has been designed and built to provide for the needs of both its UK customers and overseas markets. The company’s expansion into the broader emergency services market has been recognised by the inclusion of more information on the technical PPE products and managed services available for ambulance and police users. Providing more corporate, product and technical
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The new IFB-REVARIO system from Imtradex, a specialist in hear/talk accessories, is an innovative communication solution for control centres.
Address datasets
The AddressBase range of products, the definitive source of spatial address and property information for England and Wales, is available from Ordnance Survey. The new datasets are expected to provide efficiency gains, improve service delivery and encourage partnership working among private, public and third sector organisations. AddressBase is produced by GeoPlace, a joint venture between Ordnance Survey and the Local Government Group. All three products are maintained from local authority provided data, which is brought together with Ordnance Survey and Royal Mail data by GeoPlace. It combines the best parts of local government’s National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG), Ordnance Survey’s OS MasterMap Address Layer 2 products and the Royal Mail Postcode Address File (PAF). www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk
Hydration packs The first Peli area safety light with an ATEX approval is now available. The 9435 is the latest in a successful and expanding range of area lighting systems from Peli. The new 9435 features 18 LEDs, which output a brilliant 1500 lumens (high setting) to illuminate a work area. This rechargeable Peli area light is certified for use in hazardous areas (ATEX Zone 2). Weighing less than 8kg, the Peli 9435 unit is easy to carry on site. It is highly versatile, the mast extends to almost one metre and swivels 360° while the head can be tilted to angle the light where required. The 9435 is silent running and has a dual power mode, with a light duration of approximately 10 hours (economy mode). Ideal for fire and emergency service use, Peli area lighting systems are rugged units offering a safe, economic and convenient alternative to generator powered lighting. www.peliproducts.co.uk
Emergency Services Times November 2011
Performance hydration packs from Geigerrig offer an innovative and hygienic pressurised water dispensing system. Solely distributed in the UK by Whitby & Co, patent-pending Geigerrig pressurised hydration packs utilise a specially engineered hydration bladder and pressure bulb to spray water into the user’s mouth, providing a continuous and sanitary delivery of water. There are seven different Geigerrig hydration packs incorporating the hydration engines, which
92 | PRODUCT INFORMATION have two and three-litre capacities. Each Geigerrig pack is ergonomically fitted with adjustable shoulder straps and a removable waist strap and integrated slider chest strap, a waterproof MP3 player/mobile phone compartment and separate internal organiser compartments. The hydration bladders – or Geigerrig Hydration Engines – also have a unique easy care system, keeping them free from mildew or mineral build-up. The Hydration Engines have a wide opening slide seal that allows the whole pack to be turned inside out and washed in a dishwasher – unlike sucking hydration packs that have a small screw top. www.whitbyandco.co.uk
‘Climbing camera’
tems from across key departments within the fire and rescue service, including community fire safety, technical fire safety, fire investigation and operations. Steve Ainsworth, CEO at ACTIVE Solutions, said, “ACTIVE has a wealth of experience within the public safety sector and CONNECT™ has been developed in response to our customers’ needs. Taking our knowledge and combining it with Microsoft technology we have created a single solution that is guaranteed to always use the latest technology to help fire and rescue services save money and, most importantly, save lives.” Invited by Microsoft to be one of its 12 high potential ISVs, ACTIVE Solutions Europe Ltd has now developed the first cloud-based solution dedicated solely to dynamically managing information within the UK fire and rescue service www.activesol.co.uk
WiFi dome camera
Sherpa, the automatic lamp postclimbing camera system from Excelerate Technology, has been enabled to take existing rapid deploy COFDM cameras, widely used by emergency services as part of their standard suite of wireless camera solutions. This improvement will enable users to derive even greater benefit and maximise value and capability from their existing camera investments, by extending their use and range with a fast and simple transfer from tripod and high-reach platform to Sherpa units. www.excelerate.info
Information management
Using Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 as its platform, CONNECT™ from ACTIVE Solutions Europe Ltd becomes a single source of information replacing multiple databases and sys-
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Slide and tilt system
www.icomuk.co.uk
Accuride has used its vast experience in automotive design and accreditation to TS16949 to design and build a new lightweight aluminium slide and tilt system for access to drawers installed at, or above, shoulder height. The system is easy to fit and fully adjustable, even with the drawer in place. The installer can also vary the tilt of the system depending on the height of the drawer. Side rollers, which act as buffers for the drawer, can be adjusted via cams at the front, even with the drawer in place. This is a muchimproved feature that will help installers fit the drawer neatly. Side dampers soften the drop and the distinctive red rollers guide the drawer open and closed. A range of heavy duty and corrosion resistant slides and locking handles can be tested on Accuride’s stand (257) at The Emergency Services Show in Stoneleigh Park, 23-24 November 2011. www.accuride-europe.com
Transportable repeater Rapid Vision Systems, a leading developer of redeployable CCTV solutions, has released NOMAD, a new camera that features the latest WiFi and 3G video transmission technologies. NOMAD can be deployed in less than five minutes to provide an immediate and cost effective deterrent in a wide range of applications including street crime, theft, graffiti, fly-tipping, crowd control and antisocial behaviour. NOMAD delivers high quality video evidence around the clock and is equipped with the latest noise reduction circuitry that delivers enhanced night vision. The Wi-Fi link also enables the high-speed download of video images from the built-in DVR, which stores up to two months of unattended recordings on a 500GB SATA drive. Considerable time savings can be achieved compared to competitive systems as up to one hour of video evidence can be downloaded in as little as 10 minutes. www.rapidvisionsystems.co.uk
The repeater measures only 56(w) x 26(h) x 58(d) cm and weighs only 20kg, so it can literally be picked up and deployed anywhere, anytime. Two 25W versions are available now in the UK called the TRP-U11 (UHF) and TRP-V11 (VHF); 50W versions are also available for export.
Icom’s new TRP dual digital/analogue transportable repeater provides temporary repeater coverage between the company’s mobile and portable radio equipment in both analogue and IDAS digital mode. The unit is simple to operate and quick to set up. It is supplied in a robust ABS portable carry case and is fully self contained with duplexer, mains power supply and battery backup facility.
Emergency Services Times November 2011
Surrey Police launches mobile phone app
A mobile phone application enabling users to engage with their local neighbourhood teams has been launched by Surrey Police. The interactive smartphone app, Surrey Police Beat, allows people to see where their Safer Neighbourhood officers are and what they are working on as well as giving them the opportunity to vote on their policing priorities. Among a whole host of other features, users will also be able to find details about their local neighbourhood officers and how to contact them along with information about local events. Following a successful trial by police staff and officers in Runnymede, the app is now available for free public download from the Apple iPhone App Store and will soon be available for the Google Android market and BlackBerry. It can currently only be used in the pilot area but it is hoped to eventually have a countywide rollout. Multizone Limited, an independent UK-based social and mobile software specialist, developed the application for Surrey Police. Support has also come from the private sector, with Vodafone and a leading global technology company, Huawei, providing mobile phones for the trial. www.surrey.police.uk
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VEHICLE MOUNTED BOILING WATER SYSTEM
MAKE IT EASY WITH
HOT PACK™ 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.
www.emergencyuk.com
Self-Heating Nutritious Meals
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Choose from seven great tasting, ready to eat recipes: Chicken Casserole, Lancashire Hot Pot, Chicken Dopiaza Curry, Sausages and Beans, Spicy Vegetable Rigatoni, Meatballs & Pasta and Vegetable Curry. Make it easy. Enjoy a HOT PACK™ meal – anywhere! Contact Canland UK Ltd, Wellington House, Lower Icknield Way, Longwick, Bucks HP27 9RZ Tel/Fax: 01844 344474 E.mail: info@hotpackmeals.co.uk Web site: www.hotpackmeals.co.uk
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Emergency services worked together to save lives following Oslo bombing I am very grateful for what I have learned during almost 34 years in the Norwegian Police Service. It put me in a position to act rationally when faced with the devastation caused by the terrorist attack in Oslo on Regjeringskvartalet, the executive government quarter of Norway on 22 July 2011. surgeon who came and offered his help. He took care of casualties including some who had significant injuries from flying glass.
I arrived at the scene minutes after the car bomb was detonated, at 15.26, outside the office of Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg (H Block) and other government buildings. The first thing I saw was a government quarter full of debris and smoke. I saw dead and injured casualties, and people who were rolling around in shock. I thought what I always think when I’m at an incident and must lead an emergency response: how can we save lives – while protecting the security of our own personnel? Hectic initial phase In the initial phase of the response we were unsure as to where the bomb was detonated as we received conflicting reports from injured people in and around the scene of the explosion.
The first police units at the scene came from City Police with the first patrols to arrive reporting that they had received information from the public that there were dead and injured people inside the government buildings. I parked in Akersgaten as access was restricted due to the amount of debris that lay in the square in front of H-block. Immediately, I gave a situation report to the Incident Room, identifying the bombing as a terrorist act – I wanted the crews on their way to the site to know what could await them and prepare themselves appropriately, as the perpetrators could still have been operating in the area. I also requested that the emergency squad should attend. A lone firefighter at the site The ambulance service responded in their usual, efficient way, some running with their stretchers to the wounded lying on the road. Police officers also worked with life-saving first aid equipment to assist the injured, with several of them later showing signs of their response – they had blood on their hands, arms and up over their shirts. I saw one firefighter at the site, Emergency Manager Bjørn Arnesen, who had gone up from the main fire station because all of their vehicles were trapped – pressure from the bomb had blown debris in front of the vehicle bay doors. Indeed, the main fire station was also badly damaged and it is a wonder that no firefighters were injured when the
blast from the bomb hit the building. Arnesen quickly requisitioned fire trucks from other stations to assist in the response. Notification of two unexploded bombs At approximately 15.46 there was a message on the radio that there were two unexploded bombs at the site. I tried several times to establish the source of this information and to establish whether this was indeed accurate, for an evacuation of aid crews would have delayed the rescue work at the site. Despite repeated requests I was unable to establish this with any certainty and I was therefore obliged to implement the evacuation of the rescue crews from the site. Approximately five minutes later, the Incident Room contacted the police patrol that had reported the message and, having considered the contents of the message, I established that the information was inconclusive. I therefore ordered all relief workers back in to the area to continue their vital rescue work.
Oslo Police Department’s own Bomb Squad arrived quickly and checked R4 (the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy) so that firefighters could start extinguishing work on the floors on which fire had taken hold and check out reports of a person stuck in one of the building’s lifts. Work at the scene was quick and efficient – it was always about saving lives and ensuring that those who were injured were taken to safety. In the initial phase many civilians also attended to assist the injured, who were taken to Youngstorget, a nearby square. I also received notification of an American
Extensive damage Of the government buildings affected, H-block and R4 suffered the greatest damage, but S, Y, and G-block also suffered major external damage. The buildings were searched with great caution because of the increasing amount of glass and other debris. Some people still remained in H-block after the explosion, with some requiring assistance to get out. The bomb squad, with the assistance of crews from the emergency squad, searched the most dangerous and vulnerable areas. Attack on the summer camp When news of the shooting on the island of Utøya reached us, I quickly realised how serious this new emergency was but we could not have comprehended the unimaginable drama that was developing in Tyrifjorden.
It was interesting to see how all the responding agencies stood together in the rescue effort and it demonstrated how crucial it is to have both a good set of emergency plans and to train hard with your colleagues to positively influence the outcome when it matters most. The explosion from the car bomb killed eight people and wounded several others, with more than 10 people critically injured. The second attack occurred less than two hours later at a summer camp on the island of Utøya in Tyrifjorden, Buskerud. A gunman dressed in an authentic looking police uniform gained access to the island and subsequently opened fire at the participants, killing 69 attendees. The Norwegian Police Service arrested Anders Behring Breivik, a 32-year-old Norwegian and subsequently charged him with both attacks.
Emergency Services Times November 2011
Author: Police Superintendent Thor Langli from the Oslo Police Department was in charge of the operation following the terrorist attack on government buildings in July.