EST October 2014 Preview

October 2014 www.emergencyservicestimes.com Volume 15 | 5

www.emergencyservicest imes.com Emergency Services Times October 2014

ESTCONTENTS | 1

IN EVERY ISSUE Comment 3News 4Events 13Company Profiles 14 | 37 | 54 | 85 | 114People 16Profiles 21 | 38 Products 116Last Words 120

IN THIS ISSUERESILIENCE 18Chris Felton from the Cabinet Office highlights the challenges ofsevere space weather and how the UK is preparing for andplans to lessen the impact of such events

MASS FATALITIES 23Advice for emergency planners from Dr Lucy Easthope, Senior lecturer in Forensic Science at the University of Lincoln,on the task of preparing a ‘mass fatalities framework’

INTEROPERABILITY 25What next for the Joint Emergency Services InteroperabilityProgramme (JESIP)? How the JESIP approach has beenembraced by Staffordshire’s blue light services and thesuccessful multi-agency work of Yorkshire’s emergencyservices in preparation for and during this year’s Tour de France

WATER RESCUE 43CFOA National Resilience identifies the lessons learned fromthe National Flood Events of 2013/14, a special guide to thecare and maintenance of search and rescue drysuits and howMREW’s national ‘Water Strategy’ hopes to guide water rescuecapability within mountain rescue

ESS2014: ERZ FOCUS 61The Emergency Response Zone (ERZ) at The EmergencyServices Show 2014 features over 80 frontline responseorganisations, government departments and voluntary sectorpartners, exhibiting at the event to network with blue lightcolleagues and better understand each other’s capabilities –find out more from page 61.

ESS2014: EXHIBITOR FOCUS 87Over 400 exhibitors will be displaying products and services at The Emergency Services Show 2014 – discover more aboutthese suppliers, including Primetech, Serco Fire Services,Emergency Planning College, DS Medical, PageOne, PGI Training, Dräger, TenCate, Scott Safety, Bollé Safety and SP Services, to name but a select few.

Registration for The Emergency Services Show 2014, whichtakes place from 24-25 September, will remain open up to andthroughout the show – visit www.emergencyuk.com and clickon ‘Register Now’ to sign up for free admission to the UK’sleading multi-agency emergency services event.

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14 | ESTCOMPANY PROFILE

It is no surprise that Rosenbauer is the world’sbiggest supplier and manufacturer of fire andrescue service appliances with arguably the mosttechnologically advanced trucks integrated with themost attractive bodywork on the global market.Added to this, the crew comfort and working spaceis almost unrivalled – incorporating more safety forthe crew than ever before. Rosenbauer’s appliancesalso make impossible stowage tasks possibleensuring every cubic inch of stowage space is usedeffectively, meaning either more equipment can becarried or smaller, more manoeuvrable chassis canbe used for the same job.

UK specific vehicle rangeSince the aforementioned April merge, investing

heavily into their UK operations, Rosenbauer hasdemonstrated its desire and willingness tocompletely concentrate on its UK specificappliance range, albeit stemming from thecompany’s world class ‘standard’ range technologyand styling. “We’re fully aware of the requirementsand pre-requisites for what a British applianceneeds to achieve in terms of manual handling andtruck dimensions,” said Oliver North, ManagingDirector, Rosenbauer UK plc. “But what we willachieve is a more efficient, refined and aestheticallystunning appliance from our current ‘standard’here in the UK. I genuinely think we have the mostprofessional brigades throughout Europe in termsof firefighters and their skill levels but my personalopinion is that many parts of Europe are verymuch ahead of us in terms of quality of front lineappliances and I’m confident we can start tochange that with our UK specific range.”

Rosenbauer fire appliances are no strangers toUK shores, with the already established range ofMetz Aerials both on the run and in build at thepresent time, with forecasts showing continuedgrowth into the near and distant future.Rosenbauer’s ‘marquee’ appliances are also anextremely common sight at the majority of majorUK airports too with the excellent Panther – ofwhich there are over 60 of throughout the UK and Ireland.

Range of equipmentAs most fire and rescue service personnel are

aware, Rosenbauer is almost a standard brand at afire station in one way or another already, with theexcellent range of equipment supplied to fire andrescue services, UK-wide, over many years.

The Rosenbauer HEROS-xtreme fire helmet is amarket leader in Britain and the Rosenbauer OtterLPP has been a ‘firefighter favourite’ for over a

decade. Now the company’s presence in the PPEmarket looks set to grow firmly with the excellentTwister lace-up fire boot winning various trialsalready throughout brigades since its launch. TheRosenbauer Fanergy-Pro turbo fan is also gainingpositive momentum throughout brigades,testament that Rosenbauer really does specialise asa ‘full liner’ for brigade requirements.

“Visitors to ESS2014 willbe able to demonstrate

any of the marketleading ranges on theRosenbauer stand.”

In conjunction with Rosenbauer’s manufacturedproducts, the company incorporates another strongEnglish connection into its portfolio with thesuperb, British-made Argus range of thermalimaging cameras. The highlight of the UK fire andrescue service thermal imaging market over thepast two years has been the excellent Mi-TIC,which is now comfortably a market leader withover 25 brigades using the device operationally. TheARGUS Mi-TIC encompasses the latest thermalimaging technology and provides the firefighterwith what many say is the most ergonomic designon the market, with a weight of only 740g.Simplicity of operation and impeccable robustnessalso add together resulting in the most loved handheld thermal imaging unit in the UK, as well asaround the world.

Rosenbauer UK looks to impresswith maiden ESS appearanceSince Rosenbauer’s merge with Yorkshire based North Fire plc in April of this year, much attention and anticipation hasbeen aimed towards the world’s biggest manufacturer of fire and rescue appliances and exactly how its world class fleetofferings can integrate into the British fire and rescue service fleets.

Twister lace-up fire boot.

The Otter pump from Rosenbauer.


ESTCOMPANY PROFILE | 15

The Emergency Services Show 2014:highlights

Rosenbauer 12-tonne Compact Line pumpingappliance: Rosenbauer’s Compact Line range is the natural choice for UK fire and rescue services due to its compact design; the appliance is designed for maximum manoeuvrability andoperation around ever congested and narrow roadsand streets.

The Compact Line has proven time after timethat due to sophisticated stowage technology it can,on most occasions, carry as much as if not morethan a more standard 18-tonne UK B-typepumping appliance.

While achieving its light weight and smallerdimensions, the Compact Line still offers morecrew cab space and comfort, ensuring workingconditions are improved for the front linefirefighter.

Metz L32A-XS turntable ladder:Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s soon-to-be commissioned Metz XS will be the aerialhighlight of The Emergency Services Show 2014,displaying what is arguably the most efficientladder set on the European market today.

The XS boasts a bigger outreach, and just asimportantly, the smallest in-reach over and aboveits nearest rival with an expertly engineered ladderset, while the ‘Metz design’ bodywork providesextremely functional yet an aesthetically stunninglook, providing aerial crews with maximum abilityand confidence to carry out the most demandingaerial challenges (you can watch the Metz XS videoin full at www.rosenbauer.co.uk).

Metz B32 ALP: for many UK fire and rescueservices, the Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP) is theonly choice of aerial appliance due to itsoutstanding water delivery capability.

The Metz B32 ALP is among the best on the planet with its relative speed, superb outreach,low noise and enviable body styling. The B32 has continued to impress brigades throughout theUK in 2014 as more and more brigades look toMetz aerials to increase their aerial efficiency and capability.

Rosenbauer FANERGY-Pro: The newRosenbauer Turbo Fan FANERGY-Pro, makes itsfirst public appearance in the UK with a fulldemonstration available from any of Rosenbauer’stechnical representatives on the Rosenbauer standat The Emergency Services Show.

The FANERGY-Pro raises the bar of quality andair flow with a completely unrivalled, robust, andergonomic design, chosen time and time again byfirefighters throughout the UK during recent trialsas their fan of choice.

ARGUS Mi-TIC and security thermal imagingcameras: The market leading ARGUS Mi-TIC will be available for demonstration at ESS2014 with senior management staff in attendance frome2v’s thermal imaging division – ARGUS.

For years, ARGUS has continued to setbenchmarks and raise the bar of quality forspecialist emergency services thermal imagingrequirements with both fire and rescue services and police forces throughout the UK opting for

the latest technology of British manufactured TICs, distributed and serviced exclusively byRosenbauer UK.

Personal Protective Equipment: Rosenbauer’sexcellent PPE range will be available to try out atthis year’s Emergency Services Show, in particularthe market leading HEROS-xtreme fire helmet andthe magnificent TWISTER fire boot. Make themost of the fitting station on Rosenbauer’s stand tosee for yourself just why Rosenbauer’s PPEcontinues to dominate brigade trials nationwide.

Pumps: the excellent range of Rosenbauerpumps will be shown and demonstrated at theNEC, highlighting the Otter, Beaver and Foxportable pumps with the excellent RosenbauerUHPS also available to view. Rosenbauer will alsoproudly exhibit the excellent NH-series pump viathe Compact Line pumping appliance.

www.rosenbauer.co.uk

The new Rosenbauer Turbo Fan FANERGY-Pro, makes its first public appearancein the UK.

The ARGUS Mi-TIC will be available for demonstration at ESS2014.

The Metz L32A-XS turntable ladder.

The SAFE GRIP 3 protective firefighter glove.

The NAUTILUS is the first submersible pump from Rosenbauer with an electricdrive.

The HEROS-xtreme fire helmet.


ESTINTEROPERABILITY | 25

Commanders from the three blue light emergencyservices will, I am sure, have adhered to theinteroperability principles, used the mnemonicMETHANE and religiously worked togetherthrough the JDM (Joint Decision Model) tomanage the major incident effectively andefficiently.

Over 800 people will have been involved in theexercise, including representatives of other

organisations such as the Armed Forces, the localauthority and British Transport Police.

This issue of Emergency Services Times wouldhave been put to bed by the exercise date – 18 September – but it is firmly anticipated that, watched by various VIPs and ‘real’ media, the exercise will have demonstrated the overarching aim of JESIP – Working Together –Saving Lives.

Exercise Joint Endeavour will represent theculmination of the two-year life of JESIP – theJoint Emergency Services InteroperabilityProgramme. Sponsored by Governmentdepartments and driven forward by the three bluelight emergency services, the most extensive andambitious joint training programme has beendesigned and executed.

Some 10,000 priority emergency servicespersonnel will have attended a JESIP trainingcourse. They will have absorbed information aboutthe JESIP principles and tools; they will havediscussed, debated and discovered how to achievethe main aim – improving interoperability andjoint working in the early stages of a majorincident.

The importance of good, clear, face-to-facecommunication, an understanding of different rolesand responsibilities and the need for effective jointdecision making – and much more – will havebeen reinforced and embraced.

“Although the two-yearprogramme is ending, JESIP

will continue – to coin aphrase, it is just the end of

the beginning.”

Team effort on a national scaleOver 20 live validation exercises designed to test

all aspects of the JESIP learning have been held,with Joint Endeavour being by far the largest.

Creating the ingredients required to make thiswhole programme work has been the responsibilityof a small, dedicated central team, drawn from theemergency services and Government. But ensuringthat momentum is maintained and the training isdelivered has involved many colleagues from the105 emergency services and other organisations.

The skill, professionalism and sheer effort ofJESIP licensed trainers, the delivery leads, strategicleads and others in organising and running 700courses has been magnificent.

It has been a massive team effort on a nationalscale.

Training materialA library of JESIP training products, including

PowerPoint presentations and e-learning materialhas been produced, enabling the crucial messagesaround joint working to be spread to manythousands of other emergency services personnel.

Also, while the initial focus was on theambulance, police and fire and rescue services,Category 1 and 2 Responders, including

JESIP enters new phaseBy the time The Emergency Services Show 2014 opens its doors, Joint Endeavour – the major exercise in responding todisaster – will have been held on Merseyside. Much noise, simulated crashes, bloodstained ‘victims’ and ‘pretend’ mediawill have featured in highlighting and testing elements of the two-year JESIP programme.Words: David Jervis, JESIP senior communications advisor.

The JESIP principles and tools outlined in the Joint Doctrine, the Aide Memoire (shown here) and on the training courses are now being appliedregularly at many incidents.

HM Coastguard, British Transport Police, CivilNuclear Constabulary, and others from the widerresilience community have been involved – some inthe actual training but many in exposure to JESIPproducts.

Although the two-year programme is ending,JESIP will continue – to coin a phrase, it is just theend of the beginning.

The story so far…Before looking at the new phase in JESIP’s life,

let us reflect on what has gone before, especially forthe benefit of those who may have missed theJESIP story so far.

The need for better joint working was identifiedby the emergency services and JESIP was createdas a two-year programme, sponsored by the HomeOffice and supported by other Governmentdepartments – Cabinet Office, Department forCommunities and Local Government andDepartment of Health.

The outcomes of inquiries following a number ofmajor incidents, including the London bombingsin July 2005, showed clearly that joint workingbetween the emergency services neededimprovement.

A review by Dr Kevin Pollock into the findings ofinquiries following 32 major incidents over the past30 years revealed that lessons were not beinglearned – for example, communication between theemergency services was not good enough; there waspoor joint working practices and planning; andinadequate joint training.

A survey by Skills for Justice of emergency service personnel, which was commissioned in the early stages of JESIP, more than underlined the real need for joint training by the blue light services to improve joint working and understanding.

A consultation process involving many keystakeholders resulted in the ‘Joint Doctrine: TheInteroperability Framework’ which is the bedrockof this huge programme.

The Doctrine, the Pollock Report and the Skillsfor Justice survey are all available on the websitewww.jesip.org.uk.

Designed, trained, deliveredThe training products were produced mostly in

partnership with the College of Policing, NationalAmbulance Resilience Unit (NARU), Chief FireOfficers’ Association (CFOA) and Fire ServiceCollege. Courses were designed, trainers from thethree services were trained together and, inpartnership, they delivered the tri-service courses atvenues across England and Wales.

JESIP has been welcomed across the board andfeedback from those attending training courses hasbeen overwhelmingly positive.

The JESIP principles and tools outlined in theJoint Doctrine, the Aide Memoire and, of course,on the training courses are now being appliedregularly at many incidents and used at set pieceevents like the Glastonbury Festival and the F1Grand Prix at Silverstone.

So JESIP has travelled a long way and willcontinue that journey into a new phase fromOctober.

What is JESIP Phase Two?A transition period managed by a reduced central

JESIP team (from 16 to seven) – still based in theHome Office – will spend six months building onthe considerable work already done in preparationfor the full legacy arrangements to kick in at thebeginning of April 2015.

On the ground much will continue as before – forexample, there are over 2000 control roompersonnel to receive their newly designed JESIPtraining. But in driving JESIP forwards there willbe a change of impetus away from the centre. Thebaton needs to change hands as the emergencyservices and other responder organisations fullyembrace JESIP, embed it in their day-to-daybusiness and take over responsibility for itsmaintenance and development.

Four main work areasFocus will be on four main work areas during the

transition period and into legacy:

1. Joint Organisational Learning (JOL) – thiswill be at the absolute core of JESIP movingforward. The programme was created becauselessons identified in the past were not beingapplied. A resilient process is being developedto ensure that this does not happen in the future

2. Training – this will continue apace as newrecruits arrive and promotions take place.There will always be personnel who willbenefit from joint training

3. Testing and exercising – doing this regularlywill contribute to embedding JESIP andcontribute to JOL

4. Joint Doctrine – this will continue to be thebedrock of interoperability and will be updatedwhen necessary.

More information about the JESIP legacyarrangements will almost certainly feature in futureeditions of this magazine and on the JESIP website.Examples of how the JESIP principles and toolsare being applied throughout the country andbeyond will, I am sure, increase in number.

Long life aheadIt has been said that JESIP’s true long-lasting

success will be seen only when its principles andproducts have touched all operational staff in theemergency services and other responderorganisations. That is a huge number of people soit is clear that JESIP has a long and busy life aheadas it continues to pursue its overarching aim of‘Working Together – Saving Lives.’

www.jesip.org.uk


26 | ESTINTEROPERABILITY

JESIP turned up at the world’s most famous music festival tohelp look after a quarter of a million people. While Elbowwere throwing their curtains wide; Dolly was working Nine toFive and Metallica roared Seek and Destroy, emergencyservice commanders were employing JESIP principles to helpmanage the massive operation that is Glastonbury.

First some facts:• Glastonbury attracts 200,000 visitors and 50,000 staff• It has a larger population than Bath or Exeter• It runs over five days and is based on a Somerset

farm, displacing (temporarily) 400 cows

South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust(SWASFT), Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service andSomerset Police cover the festival. Together with FestivalMedical, 3000 patients were treated this year; 60 went tohospital and two sadly died.

Tabletop exercisesPrior to the event, two big tabletop exercises were held toembed JESIP principles into the event and to explore howthey would be used to respond to incidents.All emergency services had agreed to use JESIP principles asan integral part of how the event would be managed and itwas also agreed that, where possible, all commanders at theevent had to be JESIP trained. In 2015 this will becomemandatory through a Memorandum of Understanding.

It was also helpful that many of the commanders at theevent had relationships that began at JESIP courses. In fact,there was even a meeting of delivery leads held on site atone point. During the festival, the three emergency servicescontrol rooms were co-located in Event Control with otherservices, eg security.

Pete Brown, Resilience Officer (special projects) for SWASFT,described the event control area as an incredible facility. “Itis fantastic and a great example to anyone responsible formanaging planned or unplanned events,” he said.

During the event:• The Joint Decision Model (JDM) was the tool used for

all decision making• All crews were trained in the use of METHANE so all

sitreps used that format• Airwave interoperability talkgroups were in use• Commanders met regularly face-to-face

Pete said that working at the festival was a really positiveexperience. He said, “It is a very well managed event, stillless formal than some other events and very good natured.Using JESIP actually allowed us to provide an evidence basefor doing things, which in previous years might not havebeen possible.”

www.jesip.org.uk

JESIP rocks up at Glastonbury

Joint Doctrine: The Interoperability Framework is the bedrock of thishuge programme.


ESTWATER RESCUE & FLOOD RESPONSE | 43

During the winter of 2013-14, Britain faced one ofthe most extreme series of weather events everexperienced. The tidal surge affecting the east coastof England in early December 2013 was the largestin 60 years, and in some cases even higher than inthe tragedy of 1953.

The storms over the Christmas and New Yearperiod were unprecedented, and were subsequentlyfollowed by the wettest January in the south ofEngland since records began.

Rainfall for December 2013 to February 2014 wasmeasured at 500mm, the highest recorded for 100years. Groundwater levels became exceptionallyhigh and as a result compounded the overall effectsof flooding. The groundwater levels remainedparticularly high and posed a prolonged risk offurther flooding for several weeks after the mainflooding events had receded.

At the beginning of February 2014, the highestwaves ever measured in Britain were recorded asimpacting against the south west coast of England.

As a result of all of the above factors, seriouswide-area and coastal flooding occurred in manydifferent parts of the south of England and parts of Wales.

Largest simultaneous operationaldeployment

From a fire and rescue service (FRS) perspective,the unprecedented scale of mobilisation in supportof a number of affected FRSs during the winterperiod is considered to have been the largestsimultaneous operational deployment of emergency personnel and equipment since theSecond World War.

The arrangements outlined within the NationalCoordination and Advisory Framework (NCAF)were implemented in full. The arrangements areconsidered to have worked extremely well inproviding strategic oversight and support across allincident locations.

National Incidents

December 2013: East Coast Tidal Surge4 December:

The Met Office identified a significant area of lowpressure massing in the Atlantic Ocean.

6 December: A combination of high tides, large waves and

gale-force winds led to a significant tidal surgealong the East coast of England. Areas includingNorfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Humberside, Lincolnshire,Kent and North Yorkshire were inundated withcalls throughout this period, and requested

assistance with the provision of national assetsunder mutual aid arrangements:

• NCAF arrangements were established, with the Department for Communities and LocalGovernment (DCLG) Operations Room set up

• 24 High Volume Pumps (HVPs) formed partof the pre-emptive deployment to the affectedFRS areas. The deployment utilised just lessthan 50 percent of the total HVP assetsusually available in England and Wales

• 39 Flood Rescue teams available from theNational Register of Assets within Englandand Wales were mobilised from several FRSsand non-governmental organisations to assistin the affected areas

• Four specialist FRS Enhanced LogisticsSupport (ELS) teams were mobilised andestablished in order to support the effectiveand timely deployment of assisting assets intothe areas affected by or at risk from tidalflooding

• 16 specialist Tactical Advisers (10 x FloodResponse and 6 x HVP) were mobilised insupport of both the HVP and Flood Responsecapabilities in order to provide expert tacticaladvice to incident commanders regarding theutilisation of supporting specialist assets.

The greatest test: lessons learnedfrom the National Flood Events of2013-14Last winter’s severe weather of widespread flooding, huge coastal storms and tidal surge posed a significant risk to theUnited Kingdom, and resulted in the largest mobilisation of National Resilience High Volume Pump assets to date. Here we examine what lessons have been learned from the National Flood Events of 2013-14.

Words: Steve Ray, CFOA National Resilience HVP Capability Lead & Richard Gordon, CFOA National Resilience Flood Response Capability Lead.

The map shows the scale of flood-affected regions at the height of thesevere weather.

Photo: Carl Haslam

A Strategic Holding Area was set up at Taunton Deane Services fromwhere the National Resilience assets were mobilised.Photo: Dave Benson


44 | ESTWATER RESCUE & FLOOD RESPONSE

Following both a reduction in the severity of theweather and tidal conditions, along withcomprehensive risk reviews being conducted withinthe affected areas, the majority of specialist assetswere stood down during the course of the day andreturned to their home locations.

“The unprecedented scaleof mobilisation in

support of a number ofaffected FRSs during the winter period was thelargest simultaneous

operational deploymentof emergency personnel

and equipment since the Second World War.”

January 2014 – Somerset LevelsThe various large-scale deployments to mitigate

flooding in early 2014 commenced with theresponse initiated following a statement given bythe Prime Minister to the House of Commons on29 January regarding the ongoing floodingsituation across the Somerset Levels, whichinvolved approximately 65 square kilometres ofinundated land.

As part of a multi-agency response, HVP, FloodResponse and ELS capabilities were mobilised inresponse. After 29 days, and against the backdropof improving weather and receding flood waterlevels, FRS operations began to scale down towardsthe end of February.

February 2014: Thames ValleyConstant rain throughout February, coupled with

already saturated groundwater levels, led tothousands of properties becoming flooded andurban communities requiring assistance.

National Resilience assets from all nine of theCFOA regions within England, supported by assetsfrom Welsh FRSs in the form of HVPs, FloodRescue Teams and ELS, provided assistance to theaffected communities within the Thames Valleyarea.

• At one point at the height of the emergency response phase within all of the affected regions, all National HVP assets within England and Wales were eitheractively deployed or engaged in strategiccover moves

• The National Resilience Assurance Team(NRAT) enacted its operational role asdefined within NCAF, providing support toall incident locations

• HVP Tactical Advisers were deployedextensively in support of the ongoing FRSoperations across Somerset, Cornwall,Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Londonand Surrey

• Additionally, significant numbers ofnationally declared Flood Rescue Teams andFlood Rescue Tactical Advisers were deployedthroughout the winter period of severeweather.

Lessons learned1. One particular innovation realised at an early

stage during the National Flood Events sawan NRAT Operations Support Cellestablished at the National Resilience Centre,Fire Service College. The cell provided a focalpoint for the central coordination ofinformation and support to the DCLGOperations Cell, the Chief Fire and RescueAdviser (CFRA), the NRAT and the NRATDuty Officer

2. Following the initial basic development of aweb-based National Resilience asset statustool for the December 2013 East Coast TidalSurge, the opportunity was realised to further‘dynamically’ develop the status tool insupport of the emergency response during thenational flooding event. This allowed theeffective sharing and updating of critical assetstatus information between all NCAFlocations and the NR Operations SupportCell in support of the CFRA and NationalStrategic Advisory Team (NSAT) Officers’strategic objectives

3. The deployment of a HVP Tactical Adviser into a multi-agency Gold cell proved to be an innovative solution toensuring timely and effective liaison andcoordination of the operations of several HVP Tactical Advisers working acrossmultiple locations within affected FRS in the Thames Valley area

4. A national flood debrief process led by theChief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA), was held for multi-agency stakeholders at theFire Service College in April. Subsequently,an operational debrief report was publishedby CFOA in July. The report identifies anumber of opportunities from lessons learned that may enhance the existingeffectiveness of the FRS response to majorwide-area flood events affecting the UnitedKingdom in the future.

The National Flood Events of 2014 have broughtinto sharper focus the work already being

undertaken within the CFOA National ResilienceAssurance Team (NRAT) to explore the identifiedsynergies between the management and use ofHVP assets and Flood Response assets at majorincidents.

This has both informed and further stimulatedthe ongoing work to explore the potential for amodular mobilising concept for HVP and FloodRescue assets in response to major floodingincidents within the UK. This concept would allowan affected FRS the option to request nationalmutual aid on the basis of the desired effect to beachieved in order to successfully resolve theincident, rather than requesting the perceivednumber of flood response assets required.

Furthermore, the concept will be underpinned bycapability-specific advice delivered by TacticalAdvisers to ensure a suitable and proportionateresponse to any request for that assistance.

“The National Flood Events

have been the greatest test of

National Resiliencearrangements since

their inception.”

Future enhancementsThe National Flood Events of 2013-14 have

prompted the consideration and investigation of arange of potential HVP capability enhancementsfor the future. This may ultimately enable an evenstronger position in HVP capability readiness,flexibility and resilience nationally for when anevent of similar (or even greater magnitude) is onceagain encountered due to the effects of severeweather.

The National Flood Events have been thegreatest test of National Resilience arrangementssince their inception, and FRSs, along with partneragencies, can be rightfully proud of the highlyprofessional operational response, which wasprovided in extremely demanding circumstances.

Members of the National Resilience AssuranceTeam will be on hand to explain their work at TheEmergency Services Show 2014, on Stand Z248.

www.fireresilience.org.uk

Completely surrounded by flooded farmland, the tiny community ofMuchelney on the Somerset Levels was accessible only by boat forsome time. Photo: Devon and Somerset FRS

Homes under water meant misery for many. Photo: Carl Haslam


64 | ESTESS2014: ERZ FOCUS

The FRS Reporting Tool was originally developedby CFOA National Resilience in support of theLondon 2012 Olympics to provide a means tomonitor significant incidents across Englandduring the games period. It operates on a basictraffic light system, and was monitored from theDepartment for Communities and LocalGovernment (DCLG) operations cell in Londonthroughout the Olympic Torch Relay and theduration of the Olympic Games.

The success of the system was acknowledged and,following the relevant CFOA approvals, theoriginal system is now being further developed bythe CFOA Command and Control capabilityunder the guidance of CFO Simon Pilling.

• The UK map is divided into FRS boundariesfor England and Wales, with somedevelopment work also being undertaken for Scotland

• The system is required to meet the needs of anumber of stakeholders including: The ChiefFire and Rescue Adviser (CFRA); DCLG;and the Resilience and EmergenciesDirectorate (RED)

• The web-based system allows all FRSs toprovide information about incidents directlyinto the FRS Reporting Tool as they occur,consequently turning their status from‘steady’ (green) to ‘affected’ (red) or ‘assisting’(amber) on the national map.

The system allows any affected fire and rescueservice to be easily visually identified. Specificinformation relating to any incident that hasoccurred is available to view by clicking onto therelevant FRS. Individual control rooms may onlyview incident details for their own FRS.

The CFRA (or his duty officer) will be able tomake an assessment on the impacts that anincident may have to national coverage, and then inconsultation with the relevant CFOA CapabilityLead Officer, will be able to agree any requiredadditional moves based on information andintelligence from other agencies.

Database of capabilitiesThe database that is held contains all of the

National Resilience (NR) resources that have beendeclared within the country, both the vehicles (IRU,DIM, USAR, HVP, ELS and Flood Rescue) andpersonnel (Tactical Advisers). This list of nationallydeclared capabilities may increase in the future asother capabilities are developed and agreed throughthe CFOA structure.

These systems have been developed to meet theneeds of all stakeholders, and input will come fromvarious locations should a major incident occur,with the outputs providing up-to-date informationto the National Coordination & AdvisoryFramework (NCAF).

Information on specific incidents is providedthrough the FRS Control Room personnel and issubmitted through the web portal to which theyhave access. This allows all FRSs to have a directlink into a central Monitoring and MobilisingCentre (MMC) from where the CFRA will operateshould there be any major incidents.

“The system is able toprovide the central

management team with bothincident and resource details

across the country.”

The CFRA will contact FRS Chief Fire Officersfor specific information on incidents as requiredand, together with other national information, theCFRA will brief the Minister or COBR asnecessary. In the absence of the CFRA, there is acadre of CFOs who make up the National StrategicAdvisory Team (NSAT) who may stand asrequired.

Resources from each of the nationally declaredcapabilities are held on the central database and areable to show current availability in both list and

Game-changer!With its genesis as a tool devised to monitor any national security incidents surrounding the London Olympics, the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) Reporting Tool has developed into an invaluable visual aid to record asset availability andcurrent deployment status. Used to great effect during the winter floods, it was most recently utilised by the FRS Support Room at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.Words: John Fairweather, CFOA National Resilience Command and Control Capability Adviser.

2 August 2014: From the London Olympics to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, we have been mesmerised by the outstanding performances ofJamaican athlete Usain Bolt, here powering home to win the 4 x 100m relay. PHOTO: Robert Perry/REX


ESTESS2014: ERZ FOCUS | 65

map format. This is extremely useful when makingoperation decisions during spate conditions such asthose experienced during the floods last February.

Overcoming hurdlesAt first the outline specification that was required

for the system did not appear too complex, but itsoon became apparent that this was not the case.Once the ‘what if’ scenarios were looked into andthe issues and recommendations that wererecorded from some of the CFOA debriefs werealso taken into consideration, it was clear that thiswas going to be quite a challenge.

Consider this hypothetical example:

• An HVP from Manchester goes to a StrategicHolding Area (SHA) in Royal Berkshirewhere the prime mover vehicle drops off thesled with the HVP and 1km of hose

• The HVP is taken for use within RoyalBerkshire, but the 1km of hose is taken toanother SHA in Surrey on the back of adifferent HVP sled and prime mover vehicle

• The original prime mover is then taken out ofservice for a day for routine safety checks.

Many such examples have been consideredduring the development of the system to enable itto meet the needs of all of the stakeholders for theduration of the incidents. This has also includedthe Prime Contractor (Babcock International) andhow it would support the recovery, decontaminationand repatriation requirements following the incident.

The electronic system in England will provide thefacility to support the Prime Contractor (BabcockInternational) with up-to-date information onvehicle and module locations, which is especiallyuseful when assets are on long-durationdeployments and away from their normal hostlocation, as was experienced during the winterfloods 2013/14.

Developments on trackA significant amount of work has been put into

the scoping of the command and control (C&C)project to enable the system to be developed andcope with the extremely large number of variants.This will provide the flexibility required in therecording of assets by the Enhanced LogisticsSupport teams who manage the assets when a SHAis set up.

The end result is that the system is able toprovide the central management team with bothincident and resource details across the country.

The CFOA C&C capability has been updatedwith progress as the project has developed, withCFO Simon Pilling reporting into the NationalOperation Committee (Chair, CFO Roy Wilsher)and the National Resilience Board (Chair, CFODan Stephens).

Future developments may be directed fromCentral Government, the CFRA, the CFOANational Operations Committee or the CFOANational Resilience Board in order to meet each oftheir needs, with any changes and developments tothe system agreed and managed through the C&Ccapability.

“Support to the Scottish Fireand Rescue Service for theGlasgow Commonwealth

Games was provided throughan adapted version of the

FRS Reporting Tool.”

Within England, as the system has developed toaddress each of the stakeholders’ needs, additionalfunctions have been integrated into the originaldatabases in order that it may be used in support ofother events or issues with a potential nationalimpact, such as staff shortage.

Where specific information is required centrally,bespoke pages may be developed and utilised forthe individual FRS to submit their information.This flexibility will allow the Reporting Tool to bedeveloped as directed by the CFRA, DCLG andCFOA.

www.fireresilience.org.uk

Visit CFOA (National Resilience) Ltd on Stands Z248 & OS445.

Passing the baton...

Support to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service forthe Glasgow Commonwealth Games was providedthrough an adapted version of the FRS ReportingTool. Based on a system similar to the Englandversion, but without their individual assetsfeatured, it provided the Games Support Room,based in Johnston, with the ability to monitor alleight of the mobilising areas from one central point,which was being used as the FRS support link intothe multi-agency centre.

The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives(AACE) is playing a key role in the ongoingUrgent and Emergency Care Review by NHSMedical Director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh.

The review – aimed at providing better and moreappropriate health services for the public – isdrawing on the experience of patients and allprofessionals in the NHS and across social care,which is why it is vital that the ambulance service’sviews are represented at the highest level.

Much of the input has revolved aroundexplaining the huge number of initiatives thatambulance services across the country are involvedin to help patients avoid unnecessary trips tohospital and provide faster, better care whichalleviates pressure across the whole NHS.

Constant challengeGone are the days when the ambulance service

was seen as simply a mechanism for conveyingpatients to hospital. Today, with demand forambulance services at its highest ever, and showingno signs of abating, the 10 NHS services acrossEngland are engaged in a constant challenge tofind new and better ways to care for patients while meeting the most stringentresponse targets of any ambulance service in the world.

Martin Flaherty, Managing Director of AACE,says, “AACE is showing what the modernambulance service is doing to help the whole NHShealthcare system. Some people still perceive us asjust a blue light service but we are working hard todemonstrate that we are strategically positioned tohelp alleviate system pressures in both hospitalsand primary care, and to highlight the giantadvances the NHS ambulance service and theparamedic profession have made in the past decadein terms of their abilities and confidence.

“Our underlying message is that we want peopleto understand the absolutely crucial part theambulance service plays in the whole NHS picture,we want to show the excellent results we are gettingwith limited resources and we want to make peoplerealise what could be achieved with more funding.”

www.aace.org.uk

Visit Association of Ambulance Chief Executiveson Stand Z131.

AACE:championingthe modernambulanceservice


96 | ESTESS2014: EXHIBITOR FOCUS

Paging still remains at the forefront of criticalcommunications technology. Hence why themajority of UK hospitals and a large proportion offire and rescue services continue to rely on pagingto communicate with frontline employees. Thisspecialisation towards critical applications has alsoseen further advances in this technology, gearedtowards speeding up an emergency response.

For example, Dorset FRS (DFRS) has recentlyinvested in PageOne’s Trio lone worker device toensure the safety and security of field-basedHydrant Officers. These employees carry out theinspection, test and repair of 14,500 defective

hydrants, which tend to be positioned in remote orhazardous locations. Accurately monitoring theirwellbeing is integral to DFRS while meeting theirduty of care and also adhering to health and safetyregulations.

Cloud based messaging solutionThe Trio device integrates seamlessly with

Connect, PageOne’s cloud-based messagingsolution, allowing control room staff to easily viewthe last known location of each employee via asecure web dashboard. The device also incorporatesa manual SOS alarm and periodic welfare checkthat prompts employees to check-in at pre-definedintervals so location information is always accurateand up to date. The recent location information isthen tagged on every alert, minimising thepotential for delay should help be required. Withtilt and motion sensors that can detect impacts,falls or periods of inactivity, which thenautomatically triggers an alert in the control room,the Trio device provides a sophisticated solution toaddress health and safety concerns and providespeace of mind to lone working staff.

“We have a duty of careto safeguard all

vulnerable individuals,particularly those who

spend significantamounts of time workingalone or in more remote

or hazardousenvironments.”

Operational messaging and alertingOutside of lone worker management the device

also functions as a two-way pager,offering real-time acknowledgedmessaging and the opportunity forthe user to send back a cannedmessage response. It can thereforebe incorporated into normal day-to-day operational messaging andalerting, providing added resilienceto communications while alsoacting hi-tech lone workermonitoring device.

Ian Crabb, Water and FoamOfficer at DFRS, explained how ithas been incorporated into the service’s

incident response processes. He said, “SOS alertsare auto-forwarded to a pre-defined list of contactsso the right people are notified and kept in theloop. When an alert message is received, there is alink to Google Maps which shows the last knownlocation, along with a date and time stampmeaning we can quickly and easily find and assiststaff in distress.”

In the course of their day-to-day roles theemergency services frequently put themselves insituations of potential risk. And when somethingunfortunate occurs the ability of the control roomto quickly establish an accurate location, potentialhazards and the nearest vehicle access points canmake all the difference. We have a duty of care tosafeguard all vulnerable individuals, particularlythose who spend significant amounts of timeworking alone or in more remote or hazardousenvironments.

www.pageone.co.uk

Visit PageOne Communications Ltd on Stand E3.

Location, location, locationNew paging and location technology is helping to safeguard emergency services personnel who work alone in potentiallyhazardous environments.Words: Nigel Gray, Director at PageOne.

Connect is PageOne’s cloud-based messaging solution.

Nigel Gray, Director at PageOne.


ESTESS2014: EXHIBITOR FOCUS | 105

The Bristol Uniforms stand will be particularlybusy this year with a number of new products onshow along with a dedicated area looking at thecurrent ICP Technology Refresh programme.

The ICP Technology Refresh programme iscurrently underway with completion due in 2015.A series of exhibits will focus on the ICP’s successover the last seven years, the extensive programmeof garment and wearer trials now underway, andlooks ahead to next spring when the newICP/CPCC (Central PPE and Clothing Contract)range will be unveiled. It will provide an idealopportunity for non-ICP user fire and rescueservices to appraise its operational and financialadvantages. New users joining from 2015 couldreap the benefits over the coming seven years.

Fire gloves firstIn a further extension of its own-manufacture

product strategy, Bristol has designed a range ofthree structural fire fighting gloves to meetEN659:2008 and which have focused on providingclass leading protection and manual dexterity.

The new gloves, which have been designed byBristol’s in-house design team as part of Bristol’sNew Product Development Programme(BNPDP), have been fully tested by UKfirefighters before going into production and willbe available in three different fabric combinations.

The first product will be available from theautumn of 2014, which is an all-black, soft,flexible leather design incorporating a GoreCROSSTECH® membrane with a Kevlar lining.Special features include silicone finger and palmgrips and a knitted Nomex® cuff.

Two other gloves in the range, which will beavailable in 2015, will incorporate HainsworthTITAN® fabrics – the former using TITAN® PBI1260 and the latter a TITAN® 1220 in red. Incommon with the leather glove, these bothinclude a Gore CROSSTECH® membrane with aKevlar lining. Identifying features include siliconepalms, reflective piping, knuckle protectors andknitted NOMEX® cuffs.

All three gloves in the range will be available ina wide range of sizes from 6-12 and XXS-XXL.

Commenting on the planned autumn launch,Roger Startin, Bristol’s Joint Managing Director,said, “This new fire glove range is furtherevidence of our long term plan to use our in-house design experience and capability to bringmore own-manufactured firefighter PPE products

to market beyond our traditional ranges ofspecialist coats and trousers. Previously theBNPDP has seen the introduction of fire hoodsand a firefighter motorcycle suit in 2012 followedby our new EN469:2005 Level 1 firefightermotorcycle suit earlier this year. We’re lookingforward to showing our new gloves at TheEmergency Services Show in September.”

Bristol’s latest USAR kit, RescueFlex™, HARTtechnical rescue garments for the ambulanceservice and protective rescue garments for airambulance aircrews will also be on show.

www.bristoluniforms.com

Visit Bristol Uniforms Ltd on Stand J3.

Autumn launch for Bristol’s new glove range

Bristol’s all-black, soft, flexible leather glove incorporates a GoreCROSSTECH® membrane with a Kevlar lining.

Bristol glove using TITAN® 1220 fabric in red.

EP Barrus Ltd is working in partnership with R3 Safety and Rescue Ltd, which is set to becomeone of the UK’s leading water and technicalrescue training providers.

R3 courses carry international certification fromRescue 3, one of the world’s largest technicalrescue training organisations. Rescue 3 courses arecompliant with relevant competencies andstandards for rescue agencies and technicians aslaid down by organisations such as the UK ChiefFire Officers’ Association (CFOA)/Defra FloodRescue National Enhancement Project and theNational Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Thecourses have been carefully designed to meet thetraining and development needs of the safety andtechnical rescue sectors, focusing primarily onwater, rope and inland boat rescue.

Swift water capabilitiesBarrus recently took part in R3’s National

Resilience Assurance Team (NRAT) Flood SMAEvent where over 20 fire and rescue servicesundertook swift water demonstrations at Tees

Barrage International Whitewater Centre, nearMiddlesbrough. This purpose-built facilitycomplements the natural river venues of NorthWales and guarantees swift water conditions at alltimes. Barrus supplied a Zodiac FC 470 inflatableboat fitted with a Mariner 50hp outboard engineand a Mariner 30hp, which R3 fitted to anArancia boat.

Paul O’Sullivan, Managing Director, R3 Safety& Rescue Ltd, said, “The engines were great and I

think we were able to highlight the effectivenessof the FC 470/Mariner 50/prop guard and theArancia/Mariner 30/prop guard combinations.

“We operated both boats for two days doingmore runs up and down the course than anyoneelse, including night runs. The only boat able tomake it up the channel carrying six people onboard was the FC 470/Mariner 50/ prop guard set up,” Paul concluded.

Barrus has demonstrated and supplied anumber of engines in the past but the companywill be sponsoring a Mariner 30hp and a Mariner50hp outboard engine for R3’s two demonstrationboats.

Barrus is now working with over 45 fire andrescue services around the UK supplying Mariner two-stroke outboard engines from 25-40hp and other equipment, including waterrescue pumps.

www.barrus.co.uk

Visit EP Barrus Ltd on Stand A7.

Mariner outboards chosen for water and flood rescue training

Barrus recently took part in R3’s National Resilience Assurance Team(NRAT) Flood SMA Event.


108 | ESTESS2014: EXHIBITOR FOCUS

RAE Systems’ new QRAE 3 is a versatile, rugged,one-to-four-sensor gas monitor that providescontinuous exposure monitoring of Oxygen (O2),combustibles, and toxic gases, including Hydrogensulfide (H2S), Carbon Monoxide (CO), SulphurDioxide (SO2) and Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN).

The QRAE 3 is certified for use in hazardousenvironments, and is designed for use across abroad array of industries where exposure to toxicgas is a constant safety threat. These industriesinclude a broad range of industrial, oil and gas,environmental, first responder and national defence applications.

Real-time dataWhen a situation arises, safety officers must make

critical, split-second decisions about how and whereto deploy resources.

They need access to real-time threat data, whichQRAE 3 can provide, to help make faster, moreinformed decisions to protect lives and property.

“With the QRAE 3,emergency responders

now have wireless access to Toxic Twin

gas information, whichcan help protect their long-term

health and safety.”

The QRAE 3’s wireless communication capabilityenables access to real-time, remote instrument

readings and alarm status – including aninnovative ‘Man-Down’ alarm – from anylocation, for better visibility and fasterresponse. Real-time hazard readings canalso be communicated to the ProRAEGuardian Safety System and theEchoView Host Closed-Loop WirelessSystem for safety-enhancing wireless

monitoring outside the hot zone, from aplant safety office or from a remote,

enterprise location. This can help facilitatefaster, data-driven decision making to alertresponders, save lives and protect assets.

“RAE Systems has been the industryleader in advancing wireless gas detection

technologies that help save lives and assetsfor more than a decade,” said Thomas Negre,Vice President of Products and Marketing forRAE Systems. “With the addition of theQRAE 3, RAE Systems now offers the mostextensive line of area, survey and portablewireless gas detectors making affordable,cutting edge toxic gas detection solutionsavailable to more customers across abroader range of applications. Our wirelessmonitors include single-gas, four-gas,multi-gas with gamma (radiationdetector), transportable multi-gas withgamma and semi-fixed with gamma forenhanced organisational safety.”

Toxic Twin gas information“The toxic vapours present in fire smoke,

particularly Hydrogen Cyanide and Carbon

Monoxide, the ‘Toxic Twins’, are increasinglyrecognised as the most dangerous and deadly partof any fireground operation. As such, it is essentialfor incident commanders to have access to critical,real-time threat data to help protect personnel fromdangerous exposure levels,” said Jason Krusen,Chief of Special Operations at Columbia, SC, FireDepartment and President of the FireSmokeCoalition. “With the QRAE 3, emergencyresponders now have wireless access to Toxic Twingas information, which can help protect their long-term health and safety.”

Breakthrough technologyThe QRAE 3 offers breakthrough gas detection

features and capabilities, including:• Advanced wireless functionality – first

and only solution that is rapidly deployablein both closed-loop and global, 24/7Internet-based systems

• Enhanced organisational safety andcompliance – organisations can leveragepolicy enforcement features (RAE SystemsAutoRAE 2 bump and calibration stations)to ensure users follow calibration andbump test procedures and that theirinstruments are working properly

• Protection against the ‘Toxic Twins’ – theQRAE 3 provides a wireless fire smokeconfiguration to detect for the ‘Toxic Twins’(CO and HCN)

• Advanced User Interface – the QRAE 3features large graphical display, icon-drivenuser interface through intuitive, two-buttonoperation. The QRAE 3 also includes a‘Man Down’ alarm and automatic flipscreen. All ToxiRAE Pro, MultiRAE andQRAE 3 monitors now feature a similarmenu, navigation and icons

• Available in multiple, user-configurablemonitors – all configurations are availablepumped or diffusion, and wireless or non-wireless, and with various sensorconfigurations. The QRAE 3 includes athree-year warranty on standard sensor

• Compatible with RAE Systems wirelesssafety systems – QRAE 3 real-time threatdata can be monitored on mobile devicesvia the ProRAE Guardian Wireless SafetySystem, 24/7, through a secure Internetconnection, or via the EchoView HostClosed-Loop Wireless System.

www.raesystems.comwww.honeywell.com

Visit BW Technologies by Honeywell on Stand P58.

Wireless gas monitor improves first responder safetyRAE Systems Inc, a leader in wirelessly connected gas and radiation detection solutions, has launched the industry’sfirst wireless, portable, four-gas pumped and diffusion gas monitor that will significantly enhance worker safety inindustrial environments and better protect first responders.


ESTVEHICLES | 115

Two cars – conversions based on the NissanPathfinder – currently fulfil this 4x4 role forEMAS. However, one of the vehicles has limitedpatient carrying capacity due to head space so itcan only be used to move the patient to the waitingambulance for transport to hospital. This is clearlynot ideal as it results in delays in the patient’sarrival time. The need to provide better facilitiesled EMAS’ fleet services department to considerthe options available.

The choice was narrowed down to two basevehicles – the Land Rover Defender and the VW Amarok. Unfortunately, the Land Rover is dueto be discontinued in 2015 and it was felt thismight cause problems in future years so this leftthe Amarok 4x4 as the vehicle of choice. TheAmarok has a proven pedigree and has been testedunder the most demanding conditions, forexample, as the official support vehicle for theDakar rally in 2010.

Having decided on the most suitable vehicle,EMAS began work on developing a specification,which met their needs. The base vehicle is astretched version of the VW Amarok (VW LONO)with a modular-structured ambulance body. 132kWof engine power, eight-speed automatictransmission and four-wheel drive ensures agileperformance on tarmac and off road. Work on thechassis extension and body were completed byEuropean specialist partners of VCS, namelyVETH and Tamlans, and VCS in West Yorkshirecompleted the internal conversion and electricalinterface to EMAS’ specific requirements.

Safety was a very important factor. Tamlanscarried out load simulations and practical safetytests in its numerous research facilities. TheAmarok body can withstand heavy point loads andretains its shape even if the vehicle was to roll over.The structure of the body is both durable and light– it was subjected to 20G dynamic loads, doublethe requirement of CEN compliancy.

MaintenanceReplacing parts and other maintenance tasks

have been made as simple as possible. The designof the ambulance provides unobstructed access tomaintenance points and adequate space for alltasks. All electronic systems have been placed inone location on the cockpit’s wall. The composite

ambulance body is rustproof and, in case ofdamage to the cockpit, the body can be reused on anew platform.

Design and useEMAS’ Head of Fleet Services, Steve Farnsworth,

asked staff that would be using the vehicle for theirinput in designing the internal layout as they werethe best qualified people to know what would berequired and, equally as important, what would not.

VCS in Huddersfield was commissioned toconvert the basic shell and, through the guidance of VCS Sales Engineer Mark Sockett and Sales and Operations Director Mark Kerrigan, was ableto produce a working vehicle so the design teamcould get a feel for the finished product. The onlythings that were fixed were the Stryker stretcherand the doors.

“The positioning of medical instruments and

equipment always requiressome compromises but the

design team’s goal was neverto veer away from making thevehicle as ergonomic and safefor paramedics as possible.”

This ‘blank sheet’ approach to the design processwith input from engineers and medics resulted inwhat EMAS feels to be the best possible layout ofthe vehicle interior. Around 90 percent of thecontents of a full size ambulance were slotted intosome unusual places! There were many evolutionsin the ‘mock up’ stage, which avoided costlymistakes/changes later. The positioning of medical

instruments and equipment always requires somecompromises but the design team’s goal was neverto veer away from making the vehicle as ergonomicand safe for paramedics as possible. Every piece ofmedical and patient immobilisation equipment hasits own place, providing easy access for quick use.The joint input from EMAS’ design team, VCSengineers and production technicians has resultedin the best possible finished product.

Improved patient experienceThe Amarok 4x4 vehicle will help EMAS staff

perform their duties more efficiently and effectivelyunder what can often be extreme circumstances.The Amarok 4x4 is capable of going off road toretrieve a fallen walker or cyclist, get to snow boundvillages and farms to pick up the patient and thentravel to hospital without the need to transfer thepatient to another vehicle thus reducing hospitaladmission times by at least 30 minutes andproviding a much improved patient experience.

Whatever the challenges posed by terrain orweather conditions (or both) EMAS no longer hasto compromise. Its staff will able to offer treatmentat the point of injury or illness and then takepatients direct to hospital saving vital time, whichwill be a huge benefit in the most critical cases.

www.emas.nhs.uk

Efficient and effective in the extremeThe East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) faces many diverse challenges on a daily basis, one of which is the terrainin the High Peak of Derbyshire. The organisation is committed to providing staff with the right tools for the job andhaving 4x4 vehicle capability was identified as crucial to enable crews to retrieve patients from remote areas and farms.


120 | ESTLAST WORDS

The recent outbreaks of Ebola virus in West Africaand the public fear surrounding the possibility ofglobal transmission has put the risks from highlycommunicable and non-treatable diseases firmly in the spotlight. Keeping ahead of deadly bacterialand viral pathogens is an uphill struggle andemergency services need to be prepared for the worst.

However, without deriding the natural anxiety inthe UK over Ebola, the level of public fear isperhaps a little unwarranted given that should this particular disease be detected in the UK it will probably be relatively easy to contain. Unlike some other untreatable diseases, Ebola isnot especially contagious and, although highlyvirulent, its symptoms manifest themselves quickly, which allows for the rapid isolation ofthose infected.

Risk is very realNonetheless, in an age of two billion air

passengers every year and increasingly porousnational borders the risk of deadly and difficult tocontrol diseases arriving on these shores is very realand growing. And it is a threat that sits alongsidethe problem of more familiar homegrown diseasesthat are fast becoming resistant to modernantibiotics. According to a recent BBC report it isestimated that drug-resistant strains of bacteria arealready responsible for 5000 deaths a year in theUK and 25,000 deaths a year in Europe.

What is a bio-hazard?A biological hazard – ‘bio-hazard’ – is any

biological micro-organism or agent that poses athreat to humans, animals or the environment. Inthe vast majority of cases, micro-organisms areeither beneficial or completely harmless to man.However, a small proportion are highly dangerous,sometimes deadly, and with their tenacity, ease oftransmission, ease of replication, tendency tomutate, complete invisibility and unremittinglyinvasive behaviour, can present a unique challengewhen it comes to their suppression and eradication.According to the World Health Organisationdangerous pathogens such as bacteria, viruses andparasites are responsible for over 16 percent of theannual deaths worldwide.

Bio-hazards can present themselves in numerousways and their very omnipresence can make themvery difficult to manage and control. Bio-hazardsmay be bacterial, viral, parasitic or fungal and anysource materials, such as contaminated body fluids,tainted packaging and dirty work surfaces arepotential bio-risks. Causal origins of biologicalhazards range from decaying foodstuffs and faecalbacteria to highly virulent medical wastes and germwarfare agents. All of these bio-hazards and manyothers relate to the presence of infectious biologicalagents and biologically-derived toxins or

contaminated materials, including organic dustsand mould spores.

Bio-hazards also have widely varying transfermechanisms. Some infectious diseases, influenzafor example, can be contracted directly by touch orby inhaling respiratory droplets while others, suchas tuberculosis, are mainly spread by airbornetransmission. Malaria, on the other hand istransmitted by mosquitoes, while Ebola and AIDSgenerally require the direct transfer of infectedbody fluids.

Protective procedures and barriersIn practice, things are never so clear cut. Ebola,

for example, can survive and remain infectious for48 or more hours outside the human body so it canbe contracted simply by contact with acontaminated surface. And this means thatstretchers, ambulances, medical equipment andPPE need to be rigorously decontaminated in theevent of any possible exposure. Keeping these areasclean to the standard necessary to contain highlyvirulent pathogens such as Ebola is a challenge initself and requires money, education andcommitment. Such measures would no doubt putthe emergency services under considerable strainshould Ebola or a similar disease gain a foothold inthe UK.

“Stretchers, ambulances,medical equipment and PPE

need to be rigorouslydecontaminated in the event of

any possible exposure.”

As can be seen from the recent Ebola outbreaks,exposure to biological contaminants can have veryserious and rapidly escalating health consequences,which means there is little room for complacencyor delay when it comes to putting the correctprotective procedures in place. The vast number ofpotentially dangerous micro-organisms and thehuge range of possible biological risk conditionsmeans that the selection of personal protectionequipment (PPE) for personnel faced with lifethreatening pathogens can be a very complexexercise indeed. Cases of paramedics and firstresponders contracting infectious diseases frompatients and then passing them on are notunknown.

In addition to effective protection againstnaturally spreading infections and diseases, there isa need for personal protection in emergencyresponse scenarios whenever biological agents arebeing manufactured, handled, distributed, studied,administered, neutered, removed or disposed of.The types of sites where these activities can occur

include hospital facilities, defence and militaryestablishments, medical and biological researchlaboratories and biotechnology production facilities.Bio-hazard precautions are also necessary in a widerange of crisis scenarios from flood managementoperations to trauma scene cleaning to bio-terrorism responses.

Seeking guidanceIn all cases of biological hazard exposure a

dedicated risk assessment must be carried out onall PPE, ideally with reference to the performanceclasses described in European Standard EN 14126.Biological agents are classified into four categoriesand, due to the extremely wide compass of riskinvolved with infective agents, it is absolutelyessential that expert guidance is sought when selectingappropriate PPE for the different levels of hazard.

Safety for emergency responders isn’t just abouthaving the right protective gear. The correcttraining is every bit as important. It is a fact thatmany cases of biological hazard exposure havebeen due to lapses of attention or procedure; thingsthat can easily happen in the stressful conditions ofan emergency response situation. Armand Sprecher,the medical adviser to Doctors Without Borders forhaemorrhagic fevers, affirmed this in a recentinterview for NPR in the United States. He said,“Where we see health care worker infections whenthe PPE is in place, [the worker] did something tooverride the PPE: they didn't wear it appropriatelyor contaminated their hands in the process ofgetting [the suit] off.”

SummaryIn many people’s view it is only a matter of time

before a major national or international medicalemergency occurs involving an incurable or verydifficult to treat disease. The risks are hard toquantify; the difference between an isolated caseand a global pandemic might be a single infectedtraveller stepping undetected off a plane. But if andwhen such a disaster strikes it will be theemergency services that put themselves on the lineto protect, serve and support the public. We need tobe preparing now to ensure this is a battle we donot lose.

www.dupont.com

Keeping superbugs at bayThe Ebola crisis and the escalating fight against untreatable bacterial and viral diseases show no signs of abating andpoint towards a new level of risk for paramedics and other emergency responders.

Words: Ian Samson, Training Manager, DuPont Protection Technologies.

EU Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO).

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