Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA

The Engineered Solutions division of Dräger, an international pioneer in the fields of medical and safety technology, has provided Capita’s Fire Service College (FSC) with a highly intuitive training tool to enhance the theoretical and tactical training required to tackle wildfires.   In the first four months of 2025, a staggering 286 wildfires were recorded, with the BBC reporting that the area of the UK burnt by wildfire so far this year is already higher than the total for any year in more than a decade. The National Fire Chief Council is warning there is currently a heightened risk of wildfires that is resulting in increased investment in wildfire training and a greater need to develop firefighters' skill.   Software-based display The intelligent design of Dräger Wildland-Fire Sandbox (WFS 1000) uses a software-based display allowing for multiple scenarios of fire propagation to be realistically demonstrated, based on internationally recognized wildfire calculation models (Campbell Predictions System and Rothermel Fire Spread Model). Comprising multiple components including a depth camera, projector and sandbox, the integrated software is used to accurately predict fire propagation against numerous simulation parameters, taking into consideration weather conditions, terrain and tactics employed to extinguish the fire.     The WFS 1000 training tool is now part of Capita FSC’s new three tier wildfire curriculum, which develops the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviors for all levels of fire service personnel, from new recruits to strategic incident commanders.  Real maps and satellite images The WFS 1000’s use of real maps and satellite images means that the College can deliver realistic training in a safe space enabling the trainees to transfer the skills they’ve developed into the real world.  Pippa Steele Head of Teaching, Learning and Digital at Capita FSC says the WFS 1000 will provide firefighters with the skills they require: “Training is all about making sure firefighters are prepared and equipped with vital experience as soon as we see new threats emerging. That is why Capita is committed to harnessing cutting-edge technology to strengthen safety and resilience.”  “An important quality of the training tool is that it is intuitive and easy for trainers and learners to use to allow full immersion in the learning experience. Dräger’s technology provides these requirements and more. As a result, we have been able to develop a course that brings theory to life and delivers interactive training to firefighters that is transferable to real-world experiences.”   Rising incidences of wildfires Thomas Pearson, Marketing Manager (Industry) Breathing Systems & Engineered Solutions at Dräger says its engineering experts have been able to deliver a training tool unlike any other in the UK: “Rising incidences of wildfires has accelerated the need for more firefighters to be trained, and our solution will enhance the authentic training of firefighters by bringing wildfire incidents to life without putting any firefighters at risk.  “At Dräger, we pride ourselves on designing technology for life, and are committed to protecting, supporting, and saving lives through our designs.”  

Dräger, an international leader in the fields of medical and safety technology, has designed a custom-built smoke extraction system for Kent Fire and Rescue’s (KFRS) new five-storey, live training facility, helping to ensure the service can deliver realistic training while minimizing the polluting impact on the environment.   The Ashford-based training facility is replacing the 30-year-old Live Fire Training building which was nearing the end of its operational life. The redevelopment at Ashford includes a live fire training building that accommodates lessons, including scenarios developed from the challenges faced by firefighters during the 2017 Grenfell tragedy, and other ‘tall building’ fire incidents. The facility will open in 2026. Dräger’s unique design   The design features three burn floors, with eight carbonaceous burn rooms, and a further two floors dedicated to training using synthetic smoke. The various internal layouts provide commercial, residential, and industrial settings, offering a variety of training scenarios.  Dräger’s unique design comprises a specialist extraction system that collects and filters smoke from the building and then emits cleaned air into the atmosphere via a chimney. In the event of an emergency during training, fire personnel can activate the emergency system which then extracts at a rate which will provide total visibility within 90 seconds, enabling a timely intervention or extrication.   Dräger collaborated with KFRS The system provides a vital function in supporting the health of firefighters, other KFRS employees on site and those in the immediate vicinity during training. It will also support KFRS in its commitment to provide a betterment, and helping to meet its target of carbon neutrality by 2030.   Dräger has also collaborated with KFRS in designing bespoke fire cribs that house materials for live burns, and which have been adapted to suit the size and requirements of the new facility. Dräger-designed smoke extraction system Jon Quinn, Director of Protection, Prevention and Customer Engagement at KFRS, said: “This new training facility represents a major step forward for Kent Fire and Rescue Service, and the Dräger-designed smoke extraction system is a fundamental part of that. This is about preparing for the most complex emergencies, in a cutting-edge environment that reflects the modern challenges of firefighting." "Crucially, this will allow us to create realistic fire scenarios while also significantly reducing the environmental impact, in-turn protecting the health of our crews and our communities.”  Training of firefighters Liz Millward, Marketing Manager, Emergency and Rescue Services at Dräger Safety UK, says it is a vast facility that required specific engineering expertise: “We’re excited to be involved in such an important, ambitious project in the county of Kent. This project will deliver a multi-functional facility offering a vast array of training exercises that will enhance the training of firefighters and support their safety out in the field."  “At Dräger, we pride ourselves on designing technology for life, and are committed to protecting, supporting, and saving lives through our designs.” 

Dräger, an international pioneer in the fields of medical and safety technology, will showcase a range of sophisticated capabilities to further the safety, health, and well-being of defense and security personnel at DSEI 2025.   Pioneering Dräger’s lineup is the Breathguard 2500, a carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide gas detection device designed for continuous air monitoring when crews are within confined environments, such as military defense vehicles.  Important feature of Dräger’s stand Breathguard is customizable with different alarm levels and is designed to withstand extreme conditions The Breathguard is customizable with different alarm levels and is designed to withstand extreme conditions such as shock, vibration, and high or low temperatures with electromagnetic compatibility.   Dräger’s pilot-mounted, in mask gas and pressure monitoring system, AviAir, will also be an important feature of Dräger’s stand. Developed to help explain ‘Unexplained Physiological Events’ (UPEs) during flight, the AviAir is designed to monitor pilots at the point of ‘most environmental challenge’, not only monitoring the pilot, but also the physical environment, including aircraft maneuvers. New generation of gas measurement devices The aircrew-worn data collection and monitoring device utilizes Dräger core gas sensors from Dräger medical devices for Oxygen (PIA) and Carbon Dioxide measurement (ILCA2), in use globally within the medical industry today. Benefits include visualized respiration, identification of trends, and learning from cause and effect.    Providing long-duration critical gas detection capability in austere environments is Dräger’s X-GEM. Visitors to the event will see how this intelligent gas detection module has the potential to form the basis for a new generation of gas measurement devices. It can evaluate Dräger's electrochemical sensors to provide a digital and easy-to-read total measured value. It has stripped back all the features of a gas detector to purely focus on the measurement functionality, which will allow the device to rapidly integrate into third-party systems or bespoke capabilities for Defense & Security. Effective protection against threats Attendees will also be able to view ColPro, a Dräger Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) respiratory protection system that safeguards military personnel against CBRN threats.  Dräger tailors the system to the specific application for either stationary or mobile use ColPro is designed to produce a positive pressure inside the protected cell, ensuring that contaminated air can’t reach the interior.  The device offers effective protection against threats such as respirable dusts, contaminated particles, aerosols, bacteria, viruses, toxins, chemical warfare agents, and toxic industrial chemicals (TICs). Dräger tailors the system to the specific application for either stationary or mobile use.  Important opportunity to exhibit its capabilities Tom Pearson, Marketing Manager, Engineered Solutions and Government Agencies at Dräger, says Dräger is looking forward to an important opportunity to exhibit its capabilities at the pivotal event for the global defense industry: "Our established expertise in medical and safety technology means we have solutions to a vast range of threats and hazards." He adds, "At Dräger, our openness to new and innovative approaches drives us to apply the latest technology to our devices and leverage a deep understanding of our customers’ needs. DSEI is an important event to share details on our lifesaving technology."  DSEI UK 2025 takes place on 9-13th September, 2025, at Excel London, in London, UK. Dräger’s stand number is N2-105.