The Emergency Services Show and Emergency Tech Show 2023

If I'm entirely honest, I wasn't looking forward to visiting this show: 1) I believed it would be a little too esoteric for me. 2) I had rather too much awaiting my attention elsewhere. 3) The traffic around the M42 and the NEC has gained some notoriety - you might as well park the car and walk! Nevertheless, I was persuaded that, having gained a reputation for being a massive anorak, it would prove to be compulsive entertainment for me. And, to be fair, it didn't disappoint! It was far busier than I ever imagined. The venue was awash with occupational life savers checking out the very latest in innovations in their specific fields. The stands were aplenty: colourful, entertaining, interactive in many cases and overseen by knowledgable and very accommodating company representatives. There was no 'hard sell', but clearly securing contracts in this day and age is very competitive; having a 'poker face' springs to mind. I'm in little doubt that a great deal of business was agreed during the show's two-day duration. There were demonstrations and presentations dotted around the two halls which proved to be compelling. I found myself avidly tuning in to an expert talking about the risk assessment and safety of electric vehicle (EV) installations. Ostensibly, this is a rather dry subject but I'd never previously considered many of the safety points raised; food for thought when, as a nation, we're on the cusp of introducing a whole new generation of sustainable transport powered by electricity. Although specialist in nature, the Emergency Services Show afforded me a hitherto unprecedented insight into the support networks that the life saving services depend upon. Impressed - yes I was! Would I go again - absolutely! Video filmed and edited by Julian Carter-Tugwell All music by Julian Carter-Tugwell #theemergencyservicesshow #ess #theemergencytechshow #nec #necbirmingham #emergencyvehicles #fireappliances #van #truck #rescue #fireandrescue #ambulance