Breathing apparatus

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 and entry control technology designed to improve firefighter safety during incidents.

A new training course using an aircraft simulator is helping prepare tunnelling and mining emergency responders through realistic, scenario-based exercises.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has completed the rollout of new breathing apparatus sets and associated equipment across the service.

Firefighters from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service have achieved national recognition after being crowned Best Breathing Apparatus Team and the title of Overall Best Team at the National Breathing Apparatus Challenge.

With more than 130 years’ experience in safety and medical technology, Dräger is bringing its latest innovations to The Emergency Services Show 2025 – from next-generation breathing apparatus and helmet-mounted thermal cameras to accountability tools and firefighter location technology, all designed to keep emergency responders safe on the job.

Firefighting remains one of the most hazardous professions, but advances in self-contained breathing apparatus are transforming firefighter safety. Gary Walsh explores how lighter, ergonomic designs, real-time monitoring, and thermal imaging technology are enhancing protection, situational awareness, and overall wellbeing for firefighters on the frontline.

Dräger has launched the FPS-COM Voice, a compact, maintenance-free communications unit that enhances firefighter voice clarity, safety and ease of use during breathing apparatus operations.

Dräger’s Engineered Solutions division has designed a breathing air panel for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue to protect firefighters working at height on aerial platforms and ladders from smoke and toxic fumes during an incident.

Cleveland Fire Brigade has completed implementation of new breathing apparatus from MSA Safety and ensured that older, still usable equipment can be used by communities all over the world via the Fire Aid charity.

Fire and rescue services in East Sussex, Kent, Surrey and West Sussex (known as ‘4F’) have appointed a new supplier to replace and standardise breathing apparatus equipment across the region.