Connecting Frontline Operations with the Future of Public Safety
For 20 years, The Emergency Services Show has brought the UK’s blue light sector together to address frontline challenges, share operational lessons and discover what’s next for emergency response.
In 2026, ESS returns to the NEC Birmingham for its landmark 20th anniversary alongside The Emergency Tech Show (ETS), bringing frontline operations and digital innovation together under one roof. Over two days, more than 16,000 professionals and 550+ exhibitors will explore rescue equipment, fleet, AI, drones, communications and resilience.
A Sector Under Pressure
Emergency services are operating in an increasingly challenging environment. Demand continues to rise while budgets remain constrained. Agencies are also responding to complex threats including terrorism, public disorder, severe weather, cyber risk and infrastructure disruption.
At the same time, technology is transforming frontline operations. Artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, predictive analytics and unmanned systems are becoming part of everyday emergency response.
That shift sits at the centre of ESS and ETS 2026. The co-location of both events reflects a new reality: frontline capability and digital technology can no longer be treated separately. Modern emergency response depends on data, connectivity and situational awareness alongside physical equipment.
20 Years of ESS
Since launching in 2006, ESS has become one of the UK’s leading events for emergency services professionals, bringing together responders, senior leaders, resilience specialists and suppliers.
The 2026 edition marks its 20th anniversary, with exhibitors spanning PPE, rescue equipment, communications, medical technology, fleet, wellbeing and operational support. Beyond the exhibition, ESS remains a platform for collaboration, learning and operational insight.
Four Themes Driving the 2026 Programme
Lifesaving on the Frontline
Focused on frontline care, rescue capability and interoperability, this theme explores pre-hospital care, trauma response and responder support. A major addition for 2026 is The ATACC Group’s Life Saving on the Front Line demonstration, delivering CPD-accredited, scenario-based training in realistic operational conditions.
Emerging Threats and Resilience
Preparedness and resilience remain high on the agenda. Topics include civil contingencies, public protection, Martyn’s Law and climate-related disruption. A new Local Resilience Forum Conference, delivered in partnership with the West Midlands Resilience Forum, strengthens the programme.
Fleet of the Future
Emergency service fleets face growing pressure to decarbonise while maintaining operational readiness. This dedicated feature area will showcase vehicle technology, telematics, infrastructure and electrification solutions.
Training and Development
People remain at the heart of emergency services. This theme focuses on leadership, workforce capability, wellbeing and professional development, including immersive training and digital learning tools.
Collaboration at the Centre
Collaboration has always been central to ESS. Multi-agency working is now essential to effective emergency response.
The Collaboration Zone will provide a dedicated space for agencies, organisations and partners to share experience, strengthen relationships and explore coordinated approaches to resilience and response.
New Features for 2026
The new Local Resilience Forum Conference reflects the growing importance of community resilience and preparedness, bringing together resilience professionals, emergency planners, voluntary organisations and policy leaders.
Another major addition is the Resilience360° Summit, focusing on prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. The summit will bring together leaders from emergency services, transport, utilities and critical infrastructure to examine resilience strategy and collaboration.
Emergency Tech Show Comes Into Focus
Running alongside ESS, ETS is a dedicated platform for digital transformation within public safety. The 2026 edition will feature more than 150 technology exhibitors and thousands of digital and data specialists.
Developed alongside the Police Digital Service and the NPCC Digital, Data and Technology Coordination Committee, the programme will cover AI adoption, cyber resilience, cloud migration, digital evidence and automation.
Feature areas include the AWS Partner Zone, Microsoft Partner Stage and Village, the Drones and Robotics Zone and the Ordnance Survey Mapping Zone, showcasing technologies that improve operational effectiveness and decision-making.
Birmingham Becomes the Sector’s Meeting Point
The Emergency Services Show and The Emergency Tech Show return to the NEC Birmingham on 16–17 September 2026, bringing the blue light community together at a pivotal moment for the sector.
As operational pressures, technological change and public expectations continue to reshape emergency response, ESS and ETS remain where the sector comes together to share ideas, tackle challenges and explore what comes next.