Dräger supports East Midlands Airport to strengthen firefighter safety

East Midlands Airport has become the first mainland airport in the UK to introduce telemetry into its firefighting operations, with the deployment of new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and entry control technology designed to improve firefighter safety during incidents.

The airport’s Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (RFFS) has introduced new PSS AirBoss Connect SCBA sets and telemetry entry control boards from Dräger, allowing incident commanders to remotely monitor firefighters wearing breathing apparatus in real time.

East Midlands Airport welcomes more than four million passengers each year and is also the UK’s busiest dedicated air freight hub, handling cargo for operators including DHL, UPS and YunExpress. Its in-house RFFS is responsible for protecting aircraft operations and responding to a wide range of emergencies across the airport, from aircraft incidents and fuel spillages to medical emergencies, gas leaks and vehicle fires.

The service is also preparing for emerging risks, including lithium-ion battery fires involving electric service vehicles operating across the airport.

To strengthen operational resilience and firefighter safety, the airport sought to replace its existing breathing apparatus with equipment that could be deployed quickly while providing greater situational awareness for incident commanders.

Following an evaluation of available systems, the RFFS selected Dräger’s PSS AirBoss Connect SCBA with the telemetry system. The lightweight design and ergonomic fit were key factors in the decision, helping firefighters don equipment quickly while remaining comfortable during incidents.

The SCBA also features low-absorbent, liquid-repellent harness materials that help reduce contamination and simplify cleaning. The units are fully machine washable, helping minimise equipment downtime and improve operational resilience.

“We’ve been very pleased with how straightforward the technology is to use, making both training and day-to-day operations simple and efficient while still delivering the advanced functionality we need.

“The entry control board in particular is quick and intuitive to use, which is critical in a fast-paced airport environment, helping firefighters stay focused on the operational response rather than manually monitoring their air status.”

Jez Paget, Station Manager, East Midlands Airport.

The telemetry system provides continuous, real-time information on each firefighter’s breathing apparatus, including air pressure and remaining cylinder capacity. When firefighters enter an incident wearing SCBA, they are automatically connected to the entry control board, allowing entry control operators and incident commanders to monitor crews without relying on manual status checks.

By providing an immediate overview of firefighter wellbeing and equipment status, the system is designed to support faster decision making during time-critical incidents while reducing the administrative burden on entry control operators.

“East Midlands Airport has taken an important step forward by becoming the first mainland airport in the UK to introduce telemetry into its firefighting operations.

“The unique challenges faced by airport firefighters require technology that is simple to use, supports rapid deployment and strengthens situational awareness, helping crews and commanders respond with greater confidence in time-critical environments.”

Elizabeth Milward, Marketing Manager for Emergency and Rescue Services at Dräger Safety UK.

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Dräger is a Premier Partner at The Emergency Services Show at the NEC on 16-17 September, and will be exhibiting on Stand M70. Check out the full exhibitor list here and register to attend here.