Rosenbauer FIRE HOSE REELS

When a trade fair decides on a lead theme, that is just the beginning. It is then up to exhibitors to take the next steps by breathing life into the lead theme – by featuring it at their stands, providing hands-on demos and sparking dialogue. "We are absolutely delighted at the early, strong commitment of our exhibiting partners and companies at INTERSCHUTZ 2020," says Martin Folkerts, Global Director of INTERSCHUTZ at the Deutsche Messe group of companies. "Our exhibitors are in the process of developing an abundance of great ideas and concepts which they will be showcasing at the fair, highlighting the opportunities that digitization and connectivity will provide for fire brigades, rescue services, civil protection and security." The following details some of these. Sharing International Experience Digitization, automation and connectivity are more than just modern buzzwords for us" "Digitization, automation and connectivity are more than just modern buzzwords for us," says Dirk Aschenbrenner, President of the German Fire Protection Association (vfdb). "The application of digital technologies is a prerequisite for speed and effectiveness. The use of robotics in danger prevention, for example, is no longer merely a utopia, but, in many areas, has already become a part of everyday life. Let me simply mention the use of firefighting robots or drones to explore emergency deployment sites." In Hannover in 2020, the vfdb association will present the current state of research in the field. "INTERSCHUTZ 2020 offers the best opportunities for sharing international experience among developers, manufacturers and users," says Aschenbrenner. The German Fire Service Association (DFV) is taking the connectivity lead theme literally and planning a showcase whose visualizations are all interconnected by an overarching network/web. Securing Livelihoods At a number of different levels, the web will symbolize the importance of connectivity for the further development of fire protection. "Under the keyword of 'Fire Brigade 4.0', there are already visible opportunities and capabilities to improve, accelerate and change the tasks of the emergency services – even if this might seem a long way off," says Frank Hachemer, Vice President of the German Fire Service Association. "But these opportunities are also associated with challenges that need to be mastered, such as data protection, training and budgets." In addition to technological and tactical connectivity, there is also connectivity between people. "Political and social connectivity will become increasingly important and intensive for mastering problems, for securing livelihoods, for the further development and daily work of the fire brigades," says Hachemer. Digitized Production Different conditions apply to the area of fire prevention and civil protection" "Connectivity is therefore the keyword, not least for the fire brigade associations and – as their umbrella – the German Fire Service Association, which we, as the central element, are placing at the core of our activities – and not just at INTERSCHUTZ." The keyword 'Fire Brigade 4.0' is derived from the oft-cited term 'Industry 4.0', which refers to digitized production and a high degree of connectivity between industrial enterprises. The two terms however cannot be equated. "Different conditions apply to the area of fire prevention and civil protection," says Dr. Rainer Koch, from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Paderborn. "High-connectivity solutions are possible for areas like preventive fire protection and resource planning. And 3D simulation systems for managers and staff training are already available in the training sector." Smart Home Technologies But the conditions for emergency services are different, he maintains. "For information systems to support us in this area, they need to offer a maximum of robustness, user friendliness and speed," says Koch. "In addition to providing already prepared information, these systems would then also be able to interact with building systems – and initial projects for the use of smart home technologies have already been launched. Digitization and automation can definitely facilitate the work of the emergency services here." When it comes to game-changing digital technology, industry is called upon to gear up, and by that I particularly mean industrial manufacturers and automotive makers. "Especially in an age of rapid technical change, INTERSCHUTZ is a definite must for everyone on the lookout for innovations," remarks VDMA Managing Director Dr. Bernd Scherer. Digital Assistance Systems The central prerequisite consists of reliable, manufacturer-independent standards" "Real-time communication over ultra-fast 5G networks, networked deployment processes, digital assistance systems and electric drives are high on the industry's innovations agenda." But digitization must not be an end in itself, as Scherer also makes clear: "Manufacturers of chassis, superstructures and equipment who are members in VDMA rely on reliable, robust and intelligent technology, true to the motto that what is sensible is also that which is useful for the purpose at hand." According to VDMA, the advantages of digital technologies include the promise of transparent and sustainable processes, effective coordination and a significant increase in operational reliability. These promises are not, however, a guarantee. "The central prerequisite consists of reliable, manufacturer-independent standards," says Scherer. "This is the only way for interfaces to function smoothly – regardless of whether they are mechanical, hydraulic, electric or digital in nature." Partnership-Based Networking Rosenbauer is one example of a vehicle manufacturer that has been relying on its own developments and innovations in the field of telematics systems and IT-supported deployment management for over ten years. "These systems are now being massively further developed, with the focus on customer benefit," says Michael Friedmann, Head of Group Strategy, Innovation and Marketing at Rosenbauer International AG. "This is not only about digital solutions for vehicles, but connectivity now also includes new technological options, with the keyword here being drones or smart wearables." Friedmann is convinced that a trade fair is also the right place for this, even in the digital age: "We want direct communication on site, because as the innovations, technology and world market leader at INTERSCHUTZ, we act as a platform for partnership-based networking on the megatrends of our time and on approaches for joint solutions." Optimization Of Processes Digitization, communication and overarching forms and systems of cooperation play an obvious role in this" The fields of rescue services and civil protection are also positioning themselves in relation to the lead theme. Johanniter Unfall Hilfe, for example, focuses on connecting people and technology for the benefit of people. "In the rescue service and in civil protection, everything revolves around the optimization of processes and procedures in order to serve the ultimate goal of saving human lives," points out Hannes Wendler, State Director of Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe (German Order of St. John) in Lower Saxony and Bremen. "Digitization, communication and overarching forms and systems of cooperation play an obvious role in this.” The challenge lies in enabling rescuers and helpers – equipped with specialist skills and all the available technical aids – to consistently act in a targeted and manner based on the situation at hand. Advancing Urbanization "We see ourselves as networkers for people – including our staff members and volunteer helpers," he says. "In addition to progressive HR development, this also includes space for innovative projects and services like telemedicine in offshore rescue and VR rescue simulations." As the flood of data grows, so does the complexity of the decision-making process Stefan Truthän, Managing Partner of hhpberlin Ingenieure für Brandschutz GmbH, focuses on civil security. His company deals intensively with the digital answers to new challenges, such as advancing urbanization, growing infrastructures and the increasing strength and frequency of natural phenomena. At the same time, digitization itself presents people with new challenges: As the flood of data grows, so does the complexity of the decision-making process. Concrete Connectivity Scenarios This leads Truthän to demand: "If civil security wants to take its mission seriously, data and thought silos need to be cracked open and the growing volume of data intelligently connected," he says. At INTERSCHUTZ 2020, hhpberlin will display a series of showcases highlighting the potential of digitization for civil security and fire protection. "Together with RXSK GmbH and selected partners from the digital industry, we will be using concrete connectivity scenarios to demonstrate the possibilities of new, non-redundant and latency-free collaboration," says Truthän. "Only if all actors interact more intensively and transparently than in the past, can cities become safer in the long run."

The lead theme of AFAC18, ‘Changing lives in a changing world’, proved to be well chosen, with nearly 3,000 visitors from 25 countries attending AFAC18 powered by INTERSCHUTZ in early September. A keen audience of professionals seized the opportunity to discuss the current challenges facing emergency management and public safety, as well as to discover the latest products in this area. Deutsche Messe, working in partnership with the AFAC, has brought its extensive expertise in tradeshow management to the event. The AFAC thus also serves as an international offshoot of the global trade fair, INTERSCHUTZ staged in Hannover, Germany. AFAC18 Powered by INTERSCHUTZ A total of 170 companies used the opportunity to showcase their products and services to interested professionals Australia's renowned exhibition and conference for emergency management and public safety returned to Western Australia's capital city, Perth, for the first time in six years. A total of 170 companies used the opportunity to showcase their products and services to interested professionals. Several of the 44 exhibiting companies from outside the host nation were from Germany or Austria. For the first time ever, there was a German Pavilion at the AFAC, sponsored by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and organised by the German Fire Prevention Association (vfdb). The companies that took part in the pavilion commented favorably on the joint display and reported numerous promising business talks. Participating companies were Alro Engineering, askö, the GFPA (German Fire Protection Association), Haix, Jakob Eschbach, protectismundi, Luitpold Schott, VTI Ventil Technik, the Wagner Group and Zapp Zimmermann. The German companies present with their own stands were Rosenbauer, Bauer Kompressoren, Dräger Safety, ESKA, the LHD Group and Mercedes Benz. Explosion-Proof Robots And Robot Technology AFAC18 powered by INTERSCHUTZ was positively received by the professional visitors The Perth event also featured a high-caliber conference program organized by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Research Forum. For the first time the AFAC Conference was staged together with the Australian Disaster Resilience Conference. In the parallel exhibition, participating companies not only showcased their latest solutions in emergency management, but also offered live demonstrations. Highlights included simulated accidents and emergency incidents as well as the use of robot technology – for example, explosion-proof robots for firefighting applications. AFAC18 powered by INTERSCHUTZ was positively received by the professional visitors. At the close of the event as many as 84 percent said they would recommend it to others. In fact, this response was even higher among conference participants, as 97 percent stated that they would recommend it to their colleagues. The exhibitors were also satisfied: 88 percent rated the whole event as ‘very good’. One factor that may have influenced the positive response of the exhibitors was the high proportion of decision-makers (70 percent among the visiting public). The next AFAC – AFAC19 powered by INTERSCHUTZ – will take place from 27 to 30 August 2019 in Melbourne.

The UK’s largest event for the emergency services, The Emergency Services Show (#ESS2018), has reported record growth in attendance for 2018. The free-to-visit event took place at the NEC, Birmingham on 19 and 20 September and attracted a total of 8,348 visitors and buyers, representing a record ten percent increase on its previous highest attendance in 2017. Over 2,500 of the show’s visitors attended the programme of 90 CPD seminars running in four theatres. Among the most popular sessions were: Against All Odds – the Cave Rescue in Thailand in Lessons Learnt and Interoperability, Digital Transformation and the Connected Responder, a walk-through seminar in the Technology programme. Session on mental health in emergency services Among the most popular session in the Health and Wellbeing Theatre was Better Mental Health in the Emergency Services Dr Owen Jackson, of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat at the Cabinet Office delivered the well-attended keynote in the Collaboration Theatre Global Britain: The UK’s International Civil Protection Priorities and the Role of Resilience Practitioners. Among the most popular session in the Health and Wellbeing Theatre was Better Mental Health in the Emergency Services, given by Mind Blue Light as well as sessions on PTSD, an issue which has seen heightened awareness thanks to the success of the BBC drama The Bodyguard. “Among the strongest new trends at this year’s show have been the growing importance of collaboration between services regionally, nationally and internationally and the emergence of technology as a key enabler of enhanced efficiency and effectiveness in operations,” said event director David Brown. “New launches from Excelerate Technology, Primetech, PCE and many others demonstrated the exciting future role for connected vehicles among our emergency services.” Experiencing the best of emergency services Exhibitors remarked on the volume of traffic to their stands, and the quality of the visitors, while visitors commented on the value they got from a day at the show in terms of product knowledge, learning and networking. Oliver North, Managing Director, Rosenbauer UK said: “The show has been fantastic. The footfall on the first day was absolutely manic. From start to finish we were speaking to existing and future customers non-stop.” You can expect the very best of the emergency services, the best kit, the most experienced people to tell you the truth"“It is a really great show. You can expect the very best of the emergency services, the best kit, the most experienced people to tell you the truth, the nitty gritty, everyone is very open and honest and it is a great chance to learn from each other. That’s the biggest take away for me – the opportunity to reflect and learn with everyone,” said Helen Turner, Resilience Planning and Business Continuity Co-ordinator, British Transport Police. Best show in terms of customers “This is the eleventh show we have done and probably the best we have ever had in terms of the quality of the customers - and the interest has been absolutely phenomenal,” said Julian Williams, Strategic Business Development Director, Steroplast Healthcare. “I have to say that this year has been exceptional. The number of people coming past the stand, the right sort of people for us to talk to has just been remarkable. We’ve had a superb show. It is a real working environment and a superb forum for recognising that you are part of something much bigger,” said Jon Hall, Managing Director, Resilience Advisors Network. Featuring over 450 exhibiting companies You have created a truly unique platform where the helpers, doers and solution-creators meet to make sure there is a safer future for all" Resilience Advisor Rut Erdelyi, who presented an excellent session on psychological support for call handlers in the International Collaboration Forum, thanked The Emergency Services Show on Twitter saying: “You have created a truly unique platform where the helpers, doers and solution-creators meet to make sure there is a safer future for all.” The indoor and outdoor exhibition featured over 450 exhibiting companies including leading names in vehicles and fleet, communications, technology, medical equipment and supplies, firefighting equipment, search and rescue, extrication, water rescue, first response, protective clothing and uniforms, vehicle equipment, training, community safety and station facilities. Over 90 companies and organisations were exhibiting at the Show for the first time, ensuring there was plenty new to discover for regular visitors.