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On the latest episode of the For Every Response podcast, I went behind the scenes of The Emergency Tech Show (ETS) to hear what’s in store this September. Now in its third year, ETS is bigger than ever, with an agenda that reflects how rapidly technology is reshaping emergency services.

A stage for innovation

ETS brings together suppliers, practitioners and thought leaders. Technology is no longer a bolt-on: it underpins everything from recruitment and training to operational response and cross-agency collaboration.

Rich Preston, returning as host of the Emergency Tech Leaders’ stage, summed it up:

“The challenges are the same as when I was in policing – time, resources, people. Tech won’t solve everything, but it’s nearly always part of the solution. Ultimately, it’s about helping the public and saving lives.”

For him, it’s often the unexpected innovations that stand out, from compact defibrillators to drones capable of mountain rescues.

Spotlight on communications and AI

The Emergency Services Network (ESN) is once again under the spotlight. Last year’s discussions focused on governance and infrastructure; this year, industry leaders such as IBM will join the conversation. Rich said delegates want to know if the system works not just in theory but in practice:

“If I’m on a mountain in minus 20 wearing gloves, can I rely on the push-to-talk button?”

AI is another dominant theme. Professor Richard Aldrich of Warwick University will deliver a keynote on “AI insights from the world of spies,” while panels will explore applications ranging from ambient scribing in ambulances to AI-supported emergency call handling.

Policing’s digital challenges

Tony Blaker, Chief of Staff for the NPCC’s digital, data and technology programme, described legacy systems as the “elephant in the room.” Too much budget is tied up in maintaining outdated tech, leaving little room to innovate.

But there are opportunities, he told me, particularly around data integration and analytics. From facial recognition to live-streamed body-worn video, new capabilities are emerging – if issues of storage, privacy and procurement can be managed.

Tony also highlighted the role of smaller suppliers tackling “wicked problems,” from real-time translation to statement-taking tools, and the potential of multi-supplier ecosystems where start-ups partner with established firms.

Exhibitors bringing solutions to life

Amazon Web Services (AWS), sponsor of the Emergency Tech Leaders’ stage, is working with forces such as West Midlands Police to cut call-handling times using AI assistants. Claire Easton explained that forces spend hundreds of millions maintaining legacy systems. The cloud, she argued, allows them to “spend more time on keeping communities safe, while AWS does the heavy lifting on IT infrastructure.”

Microsoft also returns with its expanded pavilion. Palvinder Singh told me tools such as Copilot and “agentic AI” are helping emergency services automate routine tasks while keeping humans in the loop. With 14 partners demonstrating live case studies across policing, fire and ambulance, the pavilion promises to be a hub of activity.

And for something more dramatic, first-time exhibitor Windracers will showcase its 10-metre-span Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), already used to deliver Covid vaccines to the Isles of Scilly. Capable of nine-hour flights carrying 150kg, these drones are being trialled for wildfire detection using AI imaging and swarming technology.

“It’s about stopping fires before they get out of control.”

Stephen Krajewski, Marketing Director, Windracers.Looking ahead

What came through in these conversations is a sector that knows the scale of its challenges, resource pressures, rising demand, public expectations, and is looking to technology for answers. From AI-powered call centres to drone-enabled wildfire prevention, ETS 2025 will showcase how suppliers and services are working together to turn potential into practical solutions.