September 2021 saw ForFleets attend the Emergency Services Show in the NEC, Birmingham. It is the biggest event of its kind in the UK and showcases the latest in Emergency Services technology, and the leading names in the industry come together. ForFleets is at the forefront in developing fleet maintenance software for emergency fleets; we simply couldn’t miss out.
The latest in Emergency Vehicles
The Emergency Services Show 2021 was a fantastic opportunity to get up close and personal with the latest innovations in Emergency vehicle fleets. Highlights for us included the new authority specification SUV that Metropolitan Police have tested in their specific brake test. Featuring an uprated chassis and payload, larger brakes, bespoke trim levels and wheels, The example on display looked gorgeous in its gleaming Ambulance service livery, a real beauty that just oozes power, a perfect balance between form and function.
Also on display were various Transit applications under 3.5T for Emergency Service fleets, while a vintage Bedford Ambulance gave us perspective on just how far Emergency fleets have come over the decades.
As to be expected, much emphasis was on emergency fleet fuel sources going forward. A particularly striking example of emergency EV technology was a prototype SIX-wheel (yes, you read that right) ambulance from International Ambulance — quite an eye-catching beast.
Another showstopper on the sustainable emergency fleet front was the world’s first electric fire engine, which was developed in Scotland. The E1 EVO uses battery power for not only its main engine, but its water pumps as well.
A particularly interesting display in the arena of emergency fleet developments was the new hoist system for ambulances. This new hoist system completely transforms and improves patient handling in the ambulance service; we are confident that we will see more of this across ambulance fleets in the near future.
With all these developments, it’s definitely an exciting time to be in the Emergency fleet world!
Inspiring insights from across the UK Emergency Services
There were plenty of interesting insights to be had from Emergency Experts from across the UK. A highlight for many was undoubtedly a virtual reality training session from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Watch Manager Paul Speight, using VR-360 technology.
Plenty more exciting and thought-provoking insights came from Hayley Aley, Wellbeing Chair of the Police Federation of England & Wales. Hayley discussed the importance of preemptively supporting officer well being, commenting that “support is growing for when things are broken, and that is great, but now we have got to start putting out those messages around prevention.”
Also getting plenty of attention was the West Midlands Fire Service with their immersive ‘Trauma Challenge’. Here you could view first responders as they reacted to realistic trauma situations — eye gripping stuff and giving us plenty to think about.
Perhaps the most memorable personality to meet at the Emergency Services Show was a wonderful dog called George. This gentle giant of a Newfoundland is more than just a pretty face, he actually rescues people from water! Some doggo for one doggo!
We are looking forward to meeting him again next year; every emergency fleet should have a George.
Meeting workers from across the UK’s Emergency Services and listening to their insights about the challenges they face was an interesting and oft-humbling experience. It’s certainly given us much to think about. It was also enjoyable to rub shoulders with other solution suppliers to the Emergency Services and see how they’ve harnessed technology to help make life in this sector that little bit easier. A great experience, we are already looking forward to the Emergency Services Show 2022. Who knows, perhaps we’ll see some of you there.