The Emergency Services Show goes green as it launches new Sustainability Stage

As the new Labour government starts work on one of its five national missions, where it wants the UK to be a clean energy ‘superpower,’ it is timely that The Emergency Services Show is launching its new Sustainability Stage to share what the blue light services are doing to reduce their impact on the world and deliver a net zero future.

Sponsored by YPO, the Sustainability Stage brings together case studies, solutions and thought leadership to inspire visitors at this year’s Emergency Services Show, which takes place at the NEC in Birmingham from 18-19 September. We’ve been talking to people across the blue light world to make sure the programme is relevant and with CPD accreditation for all sessions, it’s the place to be when it comes to green thinking.

With a firm eye to climate change impacts, the show welcomes the return of Sergeant Rob Simpson from Cheshire Constabulary. He will share insights about preparing for extreme cold learned from two multi-agency exercises called Winter Storm. And, on the opposite end of the climate problem, we also have wildfire experts, including Professor Guillermo Rein from Imperial College London, who will reprise much of a recent Emergency Services Times webinar where they spoke about the need for leadership to tackle the ever growing extent of wildfires here in the UK.

The built environment is under the spotlight with the team from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service sharing how they built a green fire station and training centre and Steph Parker joins us from the Energy Systems Catapult to provide tips about reducing emissions. In a fireside chat with our host Claire Whitaker, Greater Manchester FRS’s Mat Chard will discuss more about estates and how behaviour change is at the heart of sustainable fire and rescue services.

The Sustainability Stage will also look at transport, starting with infrastructure for charging electric vehicles and also take a look at how to move to an electric fleet with the 2035 target for ending the sales of diesel and petrol cars. We also welcome the return of Professor Paul Christensen and Phil Clark from the National Fire Chiefs Council who will talk about how fire and rescue services are responding when the lithium-ion batteries in cars, scooters and bikes ignite and result in alarmingly frightening fires.

With great learning from NHS England – about how to create a sustainable procurement approach and ensure biodiversity isn’t forgotten, the Sustainability Stage is going to be a great place to learn, share ideas and emerge inspired to do more.

To read more about this year’s speakers on the Sustainability Stage, check out the programme and be sure to register to visit the show.