Protecting the Protectors stage brings frontline safety into focus at The Emergency Services Show

With The Emergency Services Show 2025 fast approaching, the Protecting the Protectors stage is set to cover everything from PPE and contaminant management to emergency communication strategies – with practical takeaways frontline teams can put into action.

In the latest episode of our show special podcast series, I spoke to the experts behind the stage sessions about what to expect.

Luke Gazzard, Assistant Chief Fire Officer of Avon Fire and Rescue and lead for the NFCC’s National Contaminants Project, will chair sessions addressing firefighter exposure to harmful substances. Luke explained that the sessions will combine international insights with UK-specific guidance.

“One of the most exciting parts is bringing in the Chief Fire Officer from Stockholm Fire and Rescue. They’ve been ahead in managing contaminant exposure and minimising cancer risk. Seeing how they’ve done it will help us think about what we can adopt in the UK.”

Luke Gazzard, Assistant Chief Fire Officer of Avon Fire and Rescue.

Luke also emphasised that leadership matters at every level. “From strategic planning and policy-making to the level one commander on the incident ground, every leader has a responsibility to understand the risks and keep their teams safe,” he told me. His sessions will also explore practical initiatives such as the clean vehicle concept, showing attendees how these strategies can be implemented in day-to-day operations.

Communication during emergencies is another area I explored with Amanda Coleman, who previously spoke to Editor, Catherine Levin on the podcast about Heathrow Airport’s power outage and other major incidents. She shared lessons from the recent nationwide Emergency Alert test and the 30 Days 30 Ways UK campaign, emphasising the importance of trust and ethical messaging.

“Clear, ethical communication is everything. People need to understand what’s happening and feel confident in how they should respond. The challenge is thinking about their perspective, not just what we need to tell them.”

Amanda Coleman, crisis communications expert.

Her sessions will cover reaching diverse audiences, avoiding fear-based messaging, and embedding preparedness into community engagement, helping services improve public response and resilience.

Texport, a family-run company from Salzburg, is sponsoring the Protecting the Protectors stage this year. With decades of experience in high-tech protective clothing for firefighters, they’ll bring practical insight to the session on PPE and standards led by Tim White. Attendees will hear about the challenges of ensuring kit is fit-for-purpose, the importance of inclusive sizing under the new British Standard BS 30417, and practical strategies for evaluating and specifying PPE to keep frontline teams safe.

The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) will also provide guidance on PPE standards, compliance, and inclusive design. I spoke with Alan Murray and Natalie Wilson about their panels, which aim to educate the sector on what good practice looks like and how to implement it.

“We’re really focusing on educating people around what is going to be required in the future. How do they future-proof their tender processes in terms of specifying product that will be inclusive and how they engage with wearers throughout the whole process?”

Natalie Wilson, Founder, Workwear Solutions International.

Additional sessions on the stage cover officer wellbeing, equipment effectiveness, and structured debriefing following major incidents. Across all sessions, the focus is on practical insights that attendees can take back and apply within their own services, whether that relates to contaminant management, PPE or communication strategies.

The Protecting the Protectors stage highlights guidance, strategies, and innovations designed to support those working on the frontline, helping them stay safe and prepared while carrying out their vital roles.

Listen to the full episode below for a preview of the stage, then see it live at The Emergency Services Show this September.

Join us on 17-18 September at the NEC, Birmingham for The Emergency Services Show, co-located with The Emergency Tech Show, register for your free pass here.