Intergraph announce new 112 service

Intergraph®, everis and Sadiel develop the transformation of 112 Emergency Service in Andalusia, Spain

The Ministry of Interior and Justice of the Junta de Andalucía, Spain, has awarded – on the basis of a Europe-wide public tender – the joint venture formed by Intergraph®, everis and Sadiel to realize a complete transformation of the operating system of the 112 Emergency service in Andalusia, Spain. This project covers from the definition of Integrated Management of the Emergency Model to the design,
development, implementation and maintenance of the technological support platform.

Intergraph, everis and Sadiel will be responsible for implementing the latest technology in supporting emergency systems, providing intelligent support to decision-making processes to generate an automated management map for the Andalusia region, ensuring security, traceability and availability of information. This important project will allow as well to share the emergency model with other autonomous communities in Spain and internationally.

“Intergraph is proud to partner with everis and Sadiel to provide advanced emergency management technology to Andalusia,” said John K. Graham, President, Intergraph Security, Government & Infrastructure. “The new platform will enable faster, smarter decisions to protect people and property throughout the region.”

Intergraph is the leading global provider of public safety emergency incident response, reporting, analysis, and records management solutions. Intergraph public safety and security solutions protect one in 12 people in the world.

Steps in the right direction

Anton dancing in to open first children's air ambulance shop

A national charity has chosen West Bridgford to set up its first store – with the help of Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke.

The Children's Air Ambulance is looking to raise £545,000 to provide a helicopter transfer service for sick children and babies. So it is setting up four shops across the country in 2012, starting with a flagship store in West Bridgford. The shop, in Gordon Road, which is to be officially opened by Anton Du Beke on March 23, will sell items for children, including clothes and teddy bears, as well as any donated items it receives. It will be run by one manager employed by the charity and a group of volunteers.

Daniel Routt, fundraising manager for the charity in Notts and Lincolnshire, said the service was worth supporting through shopping at the store or volunteering. "Raising awareness of and also funds for the Children's Air Ambulance is vital, and I know the people of West Bridgford and county-wide in Notts will support us from day one," he said. "It will make a real difference to families at what must be such a stressful time.

"Our helicopter will give a speedy and specialist alternative to land transfers which are comparably slow and can be delayed even further by traffic problems."

He said he had been asked to find a site for the first shop, and immediately thought of West Bridgford. "I actually come from West Bridgford, and when I had to find a location for a shop I thought it was perfect," he said. "It's perfect for the shop – basically we will be selling lots of children's items, and the area has lots of mums who I'm sure it will appeal to.West Bridgford is quite an affluent area, so we are hoping to attract lots of very generous people to support us," he said. "We are also hoping to get people volunteering – we already have some people involved, but the more we can get, the better."

Jo Kirby, 33, of West Bridgford, will be volunteering. She said: "When I read about the Children's Air Ambulance I thought what an amazing charity it was. It's really exciting their first charity shop is opening in West Bridgford – we are all looking forward to it."

The opening will be followed by an exclusive lunch with Anton Du Beke, sponsored by Compton Acres Dental Practice, at Ruddington's Country Cottage Hotel, for which 100 tickets are available. Tickets, sold on a first come, first served basis, for the meal can be bought from the venue, by calling 0115 984 6882 or by going to www.thechildrensairambulance.org.uk.

Anyone interested in volunteering in the shop, raising funds or finding out more about the charity can call 08454 130999.

www.thisisnottingham.co.uk

Joining forces

Introducing pre-hospital ultrasound skills for paramedics

The College of Paramedics ultrasound group has teamed up with the National Point of Care Ultrasound (NPoCUS) subgroup of the British Medical Ultrasound society (BMUS) to introduce a new exciting area of practice – pre-hospital ultrasound skills for paramedics.

On the Friday 4th May 2012, BMUS will be running a study day at the well-established Life Connections conference, Kettering, on: Echo in Life Support (ELS) – the future of cardiac resuscitation

This interactive, hands-on workshop is aimed at all personnel who deal with cardiac arrest, especially members of the College of Paramedics with who are interested in learning how ultrasound can help in cardiac arrest management. No prior knowledge of ultrasound is required!

The key themes covered during the day are:
    - How to visualise the heart in cardiac arrest
    - How to integrate basic echo into cardiac arrest management
    - How to identify common causes of cardiac arrest   
    - Real case examples

The rate for the whole study day including a delegate pack and refreshments is £75 (+VAT) including a CPD certificate of attendance.

For further details please contact rachel@bmus.org or book online now at www.lifeconnections.uk.com/2012_BMUS.html

Response team receive a response

Generous donation for co-responder group

A group of volunteers based at RAF Henlow in Bedfordshire have recently received a huge boost to get their co responding group fully operational.

Up to 30 serving RAF staff are awaiting to enrol on a First Person On Scene (FPOS) course, enabling them to respond to calls on behalf of the Trust. A select few from the group will be undertaking an advanced driving course enabling them to respond under emergency conditions.

The donation came about because one of the Red Arrows that crashed last year during a display had the ejector seat sent to Martin Baker, a specialist in ejector seats and aircrafts, for investigation.  Royal Air Force Policeman Corporal Tom Wheeler from Henlow was posted to an undisclosed site for security reasons around the RAF, whilst James and his team carried out the investigation. During a conversation, Tom happened to mention to James about the volunteer RAF co response team that he was trying to set up.

James felt this was a fantastic idea so donated £12,000 to get the team up and running. On presenting the money, James said: “We were very pleased indeed  to make a donation to such a worthy cause, and wish the volunteer team all success in the future.”

L-R - Royal Air Force Policeman Corporal Tom Wheeler, James Martin and Steve Catley

Community partnership manager Steve Catley, who attended the presentation said: “First and foremost this a very generous donation and on behalf of the trust I would like to thank James and his team for their support. This money will now mean we can move forward and establish the group with a vehicle, equipment and the appropriate training allowing them to respond.

Outsourcing essentials

Shake-up ahead for emergency services IT procurement

Research predicts a rise in outsourcing and shared services

UK emergency services are set to radically overhaul the way they source software and IT services (SITS), according to research from Pierre Audoin Consultants (PAC). The so-called "blue-light" services will commit to outsourcing and shared services worth more than £1bn in the next two years, the analyst has claimed.

At present the current approach to SITS is fragmented and delivered internally, reflecting the strong levels of independence among emergency service organisations. But due to increasing budget restraints, models such as shared services and outsourcing which were not implemented due to political barriers are now firmly on the agenda, PAC revealed.

The analyst predicted that the majority of SITS spend will be delivered through outsourcing contracts or shared services vehicles by 2020.

Over the past 18 months, PAC has tracked more than £900m in new outsourcing and shared services contracts, with the trend set to continue.

Dominic Trott, public sector consultant at PAC, said: "Although many of these activities had been considered too mission-critical to be handed over to third parties, the need to cut costs without impacting frontline policing requires new approaches.”

Sara Yirrell - channelweb.co.uk

 

Event to launch new higher degrees

Campus to become an ‘emergency village’

A University campus will be transformed into an ‘emergency village’ to launch two innovative degrees. More than 25 emergency vehicles, including a helicopter and a boat, will be at Wolverhampton Science Park for the event on Tuesday, 28 February 2012, which is being hosted with support from across the emergency services, to launch two higher degrees, an MSc Emergency Planning, Resilience and Response and a unique PostgraduateCertificate in the Management of Passenger Transport Emergency Incidents.

The new courses have been developed with input from industry experts and aim to equip emergency and passenger transport professionals with the skills to deal with major incidents, such as accidents or terrorist attacks. The emergency equipment and vehicle zone is set to include an Air Ambulance helicopter; a Severn Area Response Association boat; a front-line fire engine from West Midlands Fire Service; a West Midlands Ambulance Service motorcycle and rapid response car as well as several vehicles from the WM Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response team.

The two qualifications are designed for people working in the emergency services, transport sector and local authorities, or those seeking careers in these areas, and will be delivered by the University’s School of Health and Wellbeing from April 2012.

Professor Linda Lang, Dean of the School of Health and Wellbeing, said: “These two courses have been developed with significant service and industry input and are aimed at equipping emergency planning professional and managers, including the emergency services and the passenger transport industry, with enhanced skills to effectively prepare and deal with major incidents. We’re delighted to be hosting such a high profile event to officially launch the two qualifications and look forward to welcoming colleagues from the relevant sectors.”

Anthony Marsh, Chief Executive of West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “This exciting new programme draws together the unique partnerships that the University of Wolverhampton have established. Programmes such as this are increasingly important, which we fully recognise, demonstrated by our commitment to supporting and developing the University course. One of the many advantages that differentiates this programme to others is the extent to which we have partnered with other key stakeholders to ensure an appropriate programme is delivered.”

The launch event from 2pm to 5pm will include a keynote speech by Phil Storr, Head of Resilience for the NHS, and a welcome from University Vice-Chancellor Professor Geoff Layer. There will be presentations about the courses and the partnerships between the University, emergency services and passenger transport sector that led to their development, and exhibition stands from the emergency services.

Olympic terrorism drill on London tube

Emergency services in the biggest pre-Olympic exercise staged so far

Some 2,500 personnel will take part in a two-day live drill, which will echo the British capital’s most deadly peacetime attack when four suicide bombers killed 52 people by detonating bombs on underground trains and a bus in July 2005. The “Forward Defensive” exercise aims to mimic a scenario the authorities could witness in the event of a serious incident at the height of the Olympics, which begin at the end of July.

“Forward Defensive is at the very extreme end of the scenarios we could face,” Cressida Dick, Britain’s most senior counter-terrorism officer, told reporters. “We will be doing our very, very best to prevent such an attack but it would only be right that we test our response to such an attack.”

Britain has long been considered a target for Islamist militants while there is an enduring threat from dissident Irish republican groups who maintain an armed campaign against British rule of Northern Ireland. The drill will start tomorrow, Wednesday, and will see emergency services dispatched to a disused underground station in central London where the public will be able to witness “casualties” being brought up to the surface. It will not only test the response of police, fire and ambulance staff but also the communication and coordination across the agencies, Olympic chiefs and government, including senior ministers.

Last year, an inquest into those killed in the 2005 attacks made a series of recommendations, including calls for training for frontline staff so they worked together better when faced with an incident on the London underground. “We’re seeking to learn from any experience that we can take as well as applying the lessons of the past,” Security Minister James Brokenshire told Reuters.

The country is on its third-highest alert level of “substantial”, meaning a terrorism attack is a strong possibility but this will almost certainly be raised to “severe”, indicating an attack is highly likely, by the time the Games begin. However, Brokenshire, Dick and National Olympic Security Coordinator Chris Allison, all stressed there was nothing to indicate any groups were planning to target the Games. “It’s important to say this exercise is not based on a specific risk,” Brokenshire told Reuters. “It’s not based on a specific evidence of a specific threat.

“It’s ensuring that we’re testing, that we’re really stretching our preparations as much as possible so when it comes to Games time, we’re as ready as we can be.”

In December, Britain doubled the Games’s security budget so it is now set to cost more than
£1 billion out of an overall total for the Games of 9.3 billion pounds. Some 13,500 troops will form part of the huge security operation and on yesterday the government issued an order allowing reservists to be called up to form part of this contribution.

Michael Holden, Reuters

Think before dialling

Public Urged to Think Before Dialling 999

West Midlands Ambulance Service is once again appealing to the public to think before dialling ‘999’ for an ambulance.

The service continues to experience an increase in demand and would remind people that the 999 service is for life-threatening conditions and emergencies only. Using the ambulance service for its intended purpose (to tend to the critically ill and injured) increases the chance of a speedy response to those in genuine need.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We continue to urge the public to stop and think very carefully before dialling 999 for an ambulance. Very often we receive 999 calls to patients that could have sought treatment or advice from another area of the NHS, whether that
is NHS Direct, the local pharmacy, a walk-in centre or a call to their GP, who all operate an out-of-hours service.

“If our crews and vehicles are called inappropriately, it could result in delays in getting to patients with genuine life-threatening illness or injury.

 “The ambulance service is working closely with colleagues at hospitals around the region to ensure that patients receive the best treatment, but the public must play their part in the process.  The whole of the NHS is under extreme pressure and the public must be sensible when accessing healthcare, including emergency services.”

Thanking the Responders

NHS praise for first response team

Volunteers who act as a first point of contact for emergency medical needs in Highland Perthshire have been praised by NHS Tayside. The health board’s chairman Sandy Watson was in Kinloch Rannoch Medical Practice to meet volunteers from the local Community First Responder scheme and members of the Scottish Ambulance Service. There are currently six ‘responders’ in Kinloch Rannoch and in the three years since the introduction of the scheme the team has answered 23 emergency calls.

Mr Watson said: “NHS Tayside has consistently stated its commitment to supporting First Responders as a supplement to the out-of-hours provision through GPs and the Scottish Ambulance Service.

“I don’t think we say that enough to them at the sharp end of delivery of the responder service, and the main reason I visited Kinloch Rannoch was to thank them face-to-face, recognising their commitment and enthusiasm for what they do – indeed also their courage in signing up for what they do and continuing to do it.”

Mr Watson was joined by Scottish Ambulance Service area service manager Nick Moore, the head of primary care for Perth and Kinross Community Health Partnership Julie Flynn, operational support manager Chris Conroy and community resuscitation development officer Murray McEwan, of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Perthshire Advertiser

Fuelling the argument

MPs lead calls for air ambulance tax break

Dearne MPs are leading calls for a debate in the House of Commons asking the Government to give a tax break for air ambulances. John Healey and Kevin Barron are two of the main signatories to an Early Day Motion which asks for the Government to refund to air ambulances all the VAT they pay on fuel.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance Charity must raise £7,200 per day to keep both of the county’s air ambulances maintained and in the air. Last year the Yorkshire Air Ambulance purchased around 170,000 litres of fuel and incurred £5,799.06 in VAT costs alone. 

Wentworth and Dearne MP John Healey said: “The Yorkshire Air Ambulance relies on donations to keep its two helicopters in the air and saving lives, so it would be an enormous help to them if the government were to return to them the amount of VAT which is collected. They provide a really valuable service for people in our region and have saved many lives.”

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is one of 20 air ambulance independent charities in the UK providing a service to five million people across Yorkshire. They operate two helicopters in the region, one in North Yorkshire and the other at Leeds Bradford International Airport.They attend road traffic collisions, hospital transfers and other medical emergencies where a road ambulance would have difficulty attending quickly enough. 

Special provision is made in the EU VAT Directive for the zero-rating of fuel for use by the Lifeboat Service, but no provision is made for the air ambulance services.

Paul Gowland, of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “We are constantly striving to raise the vital finds required to keep the Yorkshire Air Ambulances in the air and operational, therefore any reimbursements or donations would be very greatly received by the Charity.”

New non-emergency number questioned

Ambulance Services: NHS111 timeframe too tight to ensure consistent service

Responding to calls from the British Medical Association for a delay to the roll out of the NHS 111 service, Ambulance Service Network director Jo Webber said: "Ambulance services agree with the British Medical Association that the roll out of NHS111 across the country should only take place once the pilot schemes have been evaluated properly.

"The timeframes for putting NHS 111 in place are currently just too tight to be sure it will work in a consistent way across the country.

"NHS 111 has massive potential to improve care for patients as it can put them in touch with the most appropriate service quickly. But it will only realise this potential if providers of services and those who commission them come together in a co-ordinated and strategic way to make it work.

"A headlong rush to implementation will not necessarily benefit patients. It is vital to have buy-in first from clinical staff and future clinical commissioners.

"This takes time to develop and the initial results from the pilots suggest that NHS111 is really delivering where strong working relationships have been in place for some time."

Calling 112

112 emergency number saves lives - EU teams up with top airlines for campaign

 New European Commission figures reveal only 13 per cent of those surveyed in the UK know 112 is the telephone number to call in an emergency anywhere in Europe.

The 112 number works in every member state, alongside the various national numbers like the UK's 999, which will not change. 

The Commission also announced today that British Airways, easyJet and other major transport companies across Europe have teamed-up in an awareness campaign. They will include the 112 number on e-tickets, in onboard magazines and on their websites. 

Across Europe, 26% of those asked knew about the number. The UK is one of three countries (Greece and Italy: 6 per cent) in Europe where awareness of the emergency number is lowest. 

The survey of over 1,500 people across the UK also found that only 13 per cent had received any information in the past 12 months that dialling 112 will reach the emergency services.  

Knowing the 112 emergency number could prove especially important this summer when sport fans travel to the UEFA football championships being held in Poland and the Ukraine.  It could also be a lifesaver for people visiting the UK for the Olympic Games. 

The EU Commissioner  for digital and IT issues Neelie Kroes said: "You can save a life by knowing and dialling 112. But 112 only helps if people know about it. So we are working with travel companies to catch attention while people are en route to their destination." 

Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said: "I welcome the commitment of the transport sector in Europe to make every traveller aware of the 112 emergency number. Many more companies are likely to follow."  

The Eurobarometer poll was undertaken to mark European 112 Day (11 February) which was established in 2009 involving the Commission, European Parliament and member states to help spread the word about the common emergency number.

SP Public Order Kit & Catalogue

New SP Public Order Kit                                           

 

For many the result of public order crime can seem to be the subject of TV, a distant reality featured in television shows and news reports. In 2011 England fell prey to widespread rioting – affecting not only London but many other cities across the country and bringing back memories for some of the Broadwater Farm riot of some 26 years earlier.

The 2011 riots affected many people and led to additional police and other emergency services personnel being brought in from other parts of the country to deal with the ongoing problem. Telford based rescue and emergency equipment supplier, SP Services (UK) Ltd, is intimately familiar with the needs of the Emergency Services at all levels be it the Paramedic attending a medical emergency or the Police officer on the street.

The SP Public Order Kit has been specifically designed to meet the requirements of Police, Door Personnel and Security Staff where a conventional First Aid kit is not convenient because of size or situational requirements. The kit is supplied in a convenient, easily accessible leg pack which fastens to a utility belt at the waist and then is further secured via a Velcro leg strap around the upper thigh. While the kit remains firmly in place during action, the whole kit detaches from the leg quickly and easily when required. When unzipped the case opens fully on three sides and lies out flat, providing instant access to the contents.

The kit itself has been specially designed by SP Services product experts to contain the most comprehensive, yet succinct medical kit possible in the compact but spacious kit bag. Contained within are an array of burn dressings, tapes, pads and trauma dressings and bandages.

The new 2012 SP catalogue is due to be published in March and is jam packed with over 50 new products and many more updated products. At 336 pages this will be SP’s biggest ever catalogue – one not to miss. Keep an eye open for its release next month.

If you would like more information about the SP Public Order Kit or any of SP Services other Emergency Services products, or would like information on the new SP Catalogue, please call their friendly customer services department on 01952 288 999 or visit their website online anytime at www.spservices.co.uk

Air Ambulance Scrambled

Rider who was going for 'big air' ends up being air 'lifted' to hospital

A man who was riding a scrambler motorbike in a Staffordshire quarry and was going for a ‘big air’ jump has ended up being air ‘lifted’.

The incident happened in Lordsley Quarry, at the end of Lordsley Lane, near Loggerheads at around 11.30am on, Wednesday 15th February. Initially a rapid response vehicle and the CFR scheme from Ashley & Loggerheads were dispatched to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The initial location of the incident was not particularly clear.  After getting their vehicles as far as they could, the paramedic and husband and wife CFRs had to walk almost a mile to the scene.

 On arrival they found a man in his 30s, from the Madeley area of Staffordshire, who had been attempting a jump when he separated from his bike whilst about six feet up in the air. The man had suffered suspected fractures to his right lower leg and pelvis. He was immobilised using a neck collar and spinal board. 

"Due to the location of the incident, an air ambulance had been requested and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford attended and was able to land close to the site of the crash. The man was given pain relief and was flown to University Hospital of North Staffordshire.”