Connecting, Innovating, and Listening to the Blue Light Community

As the stands are packed away and the aisles at the NEC return to quiet, we’re still reflecting on what an exceptional two days it’s been at the Emergency Tech Show 2025 (ETS). The buzz of the event may be fading, but the insights, conversations, and connections made will stay with us for a long time.

Now in its third year, ETS has clearly come of age. Attendance grew not just in numbers but in depth, bringing together senior technology leaders, operational decision-makers, and front-line professionals who are shaping the future of emergency services in the UK. For team Claritas, this year’s show was a vital opportunity – not just to showcase our solutions, but to listen, learn, and contribute to the conversation about what comes next.

Two Days of Energy and Engagement

From the moment the doors opened, the NEC was alive with energy. Delegates from police, fire, ambulance, coastguard, local authorities, and healthcare services came through the doors, each with a shared goal: to discover smarter, faster, and more collaborative ways of working.

Our stand quickly became a central hub for conversation. And while our pick n’ mix sweets proved a popular draw, it was the meaningful, in-depth discussions with delegates that truly made the event memorable. Over two days, we scanned hundreds of badges, spoke with technology leaders from across the UK, and walked away with new connections, valuable insights, and several exciting opportunities to explore.

Insights from the Speaker Programme

The Emergency Tech Leaders’ Stage and Tech Hub offered a compelling programme of thought leadership, innovation, and open discussion. Some standout moments included:

• Cumbria Police (Martin Jackson) shared their evolving digital strategy, reinforcing the importance of inter-agency collaboration – an approach that aligns perfectly with our modular, interoperable IT design.
• Home Office and ESMCP representatives spoke on the national transformation agenda and the critical role of resilience and security, echoing the core benefits of our sovereign cloud infrastructure.
• Sepura and others explored the future of vehicle-based communications, highlighting the growing need for offline-ready, always-available solutions.
• AI and data science came into sharp focus with Telefónica Tech and ANS, driving home the importance of predictive analytics and responsible automation.
• Police Scotland and Devon & Cornwall Police offered an honest, thought-provoking discussion on facial recognition, ethics, and maintaining public trust.
• West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s Kirsty James reminded us that transformation isn’t just about systems. It’s about people, culture, and support. A perspective that underpins our Human IT philosophy.

These sessions didn’t just inform, they inspired. And they sparked valuable conversations at our stand about turning strategy into action.

What We Heard on the Show Floor

The conversations we had with delegates were open, insightful, and consistently aligned with the key challenges facing emergency services today. Several themes stood out:

1. Emerging Technology is Top of Mind

There’s growing demand for solutions in asset management, AI-driven case handling, and emergency vehicle coordination. Drone imagery workflows were also a hot topic, with police forces calling for secure, scalable ways to manage media capture and storage.

2. Data at the Front Line

Access to actionable, real-time data is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. From control room managers to field responders, there’s a strong appetite for systems that deliver insights instantly, reliably, and in a usable format.

3. Collaboration and Connectivity Still Need Solving

Multi-agency coordination remains a challenge. Delegates responded enthusiastically to our modular IT platform that supports secure, real-time collaboration, especially when combined with offline capabilities for rural or unpredictable environments. As one visitor put it, “This would be a game changer.”

4. Security, Sovereignty, and Storage

Data security is front and centre. Delegates consistently stressed the importance of UK-based, sovereign infrastructure, especially for storing and processing sensitive biometric or case data. There’s growing interest in low-code platforms, but concerns remain about where data is ultimately processed and how analytics are handled.

5. AI: Promise and Caution

AI is no longer an emerging topic; it’s here. Delegates discussed its potential in everything from triage to resource allocation. But they also voiced concerns around transparency, fairness, and ethics. Our approach to responsible AI, focused on augmentation rather than replacement, resonated strongly.

6. Supporting the Wider Emergency Community

Not everyone at ETS came from large, national organisations. Many represented local search and rescue teams, volunteer services, and mental health outreach groups, often with minimal IT infrastructure. Their message was clear: they need solutions that are simple, cost-effective, and fast to deploy. Our conversations around digital transformation, offering low-complexity, high-impact tools, especially for those who work in the field, were met with real enthusiasm.

7. Human IT: Technology That Works for People

The idea that technology should adapt to people, not the other way around, came up repeatedly. Our Human IT model, which prioritises adoption support, training, and long-term partnership, struck a chord with teams looking to ensure technology is used – and used well.

Final Thoughts and What’s Next

Over the two days, our stand wasn’t just a showcase – it became a meeting point for shared challenges and collaborative solutions. Here’s what we took away:

• Brand Visibility: Many attendees were discovering us for the first time. By the end of their visit, they saw us as a trusted, UK-based technology partner committed to real-world outcomes.
• Lead Generation: Hundreds of scanned badges later, we’ve identified several high-quality opportunities we’re now actively pursuing.
• Sector Insight: From front-line responders to senior strategists, we gained a deeper understanding of sector-wide challenges and priorities.
• New Relationships: We’ve built strong connections with decision-makers, end-users, and potential partners that we’ll continue to grow in the months ahead.

Above all, ETS 2025 confirmed that the emergency services community is ready for bold, practical innovation – technology that works when and where it’s needed most.

And yes, we’re already signed up for ETS 2026. We’ll be back – better, bolder, and (of course) bringing the pick n’ mix!

Thank You

ETS 2025 reminded us why events like this matter. They bring people together to share ideas, drive innovation, and build the partnerships that help emergency services do what they do best: protect and serve.

To everyone who stopped by our stand, shared their stories, and joined the conversation – thank you. We look forward to continuing the journey with you.