This year's 112RESCUE drew to a successful close after four intensive days full of industry-specific highlights and a high level of professional input. From 5 to 8 June, it was a showcase for innovations, improvements and tried-and-tested products and materials for trade visitors from the rescue and emergency services. Two awards were also presented at the show.

Dortmund, 12 June 2024 – The second 112RESCUE show for fire safety, rescue services, civil defence and disaster control proved a great success, offering another international overview of the market in all key areas of rescue services and public safety between 5 and 8 June 2024. The focus was on new trends, pioneering technologies and a diverse B2B offering across all trades for manufacturers, decision-makers, users and emergency services. Held for the second time, this comprehensive 'blues-and-twos' show impressed visitors with an even larger range of suppliers, even more exhibition space and an extended specialist content programme dedicated to the latest key matters of interest.

Major growth: 20% more exhibitors and visitors

Satisfied with the follow-up show, chief organiser Sabine Loos commented, saying: “The response to 112RESCUE was already very up-beat at the inaugural show last year, showing that the industry was hungry for an event of this calibre. Meanwhile, we've evolved the show strategically and are delighted at the considerable increase in exhibitors and visitors, by the even broader international positioning and by the fact that the show is now spread across even more exhibition space. With 20% more visitors and 20% more exhibitors compared with last year, we've demonstrated impressively once again that our concept works. All this confirms the great potential this platform has for the future.” The Managing Director of Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe, which owns and operates the Messe Dortmund venue, continued: “This show is by no means just a 'buyer meets seller' environment. It's impressed people with its high level of innovation, its wide range of subject matter and, above all, as a key vehicle for expert knowledge transfer, research information, career development and that all-important cross-industry interaction. Together with the broad 112RESCUE partner network from the fields of fire safety, rescue services, civil defence and disaster control, we will soon be starting work on the next show.”

The significance of 112RESCUE was underlined by the fact that it is sponsored by two ministries. Firstly, the Ministry of the Interior of the State of North Rhine Westphalia once again assumed patronage of the event through State Minister of the Interior Herbert Reul. As the man responsible for fire protection and disaster control, the work of the fire brigades in North Rhine Westphalia is particularly close to his heart. This was the second time he had visited 112RESCUE to get his own impression of the wide range of propositions and options. Reul thus recognised the importance of the show as a key industry meeting point for all experts for purposes of gathering information, engaging in procurement and interacting: “What threats are there to good fire protection and disaster control? What can help strengthen emergency services and the population for emergencies? What are the trends in digitalisation and robotics? People can find answers to these and many other questions at 112RESCUE at Messe Dortmund. There are panels, talks and real-life workshops on the whole world of rescue services. I am particularly pleased that in many cases the focus is on the safety of the emergency services who are working for our safety. The #sicherimDienst network, which is based on an occupational safety initiative by the North Rhine Westphalian state government, is also involved here. At 112RESCUE, you can experience the latest trends and product innovations live, learn more and expand your network.”

Secondly, the Ministry of Labour, Health & Social Affairs of the state of North Rhine Westphalia, which is responsible for rescue services and cross-border cooperation in rescue services, has also become a patron. The patronage was exercised by Health Minister Karl‑Josef Laumann.

Christoph Schöneborn, Chief Executive of the Association of Fire Brigades in North Rhine Westphalia (VdF NRW), conceptual partner of 112RESCUE, was also impressed by this year's show, saying: “We're delighted with the high number of trade visitors at 112RESCUE and can already see that the show is being widely accepted as a meeting place for the blues-and-twos family. And with that, 112RESCUE is doing exactly what we want it to do. The major increase in visitors from other German states is particularly pleasing. Also, trade visitors are telling us that all their questions can indeed be answered here in one place. This fills us with pride, especially in view of the fact that this is just the second show.”

Visitors and exhibitors very satisfied

Trade visitors have been delighted with the impressive variety and high quality of the exhibitors from all of eleven countries. Overall, 90% of visitors have already announced that they are going to be back next year. As well as industry experts from all over Germany, there were also numerous guests from abroad, including Denmark, Finland, Italy, Austria and the Benelux countries. According to an independent survey at the show, 91% of visitors particularly stressed the sheer range of products all in one place. Four out of five trade visitors waxed lyrically about the innovations and pioneering trends presented at 112RESCUE this year. In addition, both the extensive supporting programme and the opportunity for engaging and interacting at the show were rated as 'good'.

The independent exhibitor survey was also up-beat this year. Over 280 exhibitors were satisfied with the quality of trade visitors and the high footcount. Also, 70% of exhibitors are already planning to continue participating in the show at the same level as this year, while a further 20% are actually planning a larger presence.

Superb specialist content programme

The high-value specialist content programme across four different stages and speciality zones once again provided plenty of inspiration and in-depth professional insights. This was ensured, among other things, by the excellent talks by ARD weather expert Karsten Schwanke on extreme weather events and well-known author and extremism researcher Ahmad Mansour on diversity, integration and violence perpetrated against emergency services.

Immediately after the show got underway, a small show act from the DRZ Rescue Robotics Days saw the keys to a new trailer being handed over by sponsor MUNK Rettungstechnik to the Mayor of Dortmund, Thomas Westphal. The presentation of the symbolic key from the 'hand' of a robot was compered by Dirk Aschenbrenner, Chief Executive of the German Rescue Robotics Centre (DRZ) and a Director of the Dortmund Fire Department.

Afterwards, trade visitors were inspired by the first programme slots of the Safety Research Days, an initiative of the VdF, the vfdb, the research group at the NRW Association of Professional Fire Department Directors and the Georg Agricola University of Applied Sciences in Bochum in collaboration with Messe Dortmund. There was then a discussion, chaired by Blue Light Hero podcaster Marcel Kilic, on current developments in robotics in action, new approaches in CRBN situations and intuitive modelling as the basis for analysing extreme data using innovative artificial intelligence techniques. The symposium on extreme weather events dealt with topics such as heavy rainfalls and their consequences, flood disasters, forest fire strategies, crisis communications and animal rescue. The main stage also provided important input from recognised speakers on the topics of the future of civil defence, the future of fire service procurement and amok & threats.

The Robotic Stage was featured at 112RESCUE for the first time. As part of the DRZ Rescue Robotics Days, users, manufacturers and developers experienced a packed programme, an exhibition featuring numerous drones and robotics solutions as well as promotions areas where deployment scenarios were simulated in a realistic environment.

Various specialist talks and keynote speeches on the Research & Future Open Stage provided inspiration for innovative developments, including topics such as the benefits of using drones in risk assessment, the use of mobile data in emergency response scenarios, skin contamination with soot and POM and BodyFlash – cutting clear paths through crowded situations.

Presentation of the 2024 Women in Rescue Award

On the 'Women in Rescue' stage, 112RESCUE once again sent a clear signal to the entire industry for greater visibility, parity and appreciation for female members of the emergency services. In addition to general social aspects, the stage programme was also dedicated to specific female topics such as equal rights in the fire services, recognition of women in the emergency response services and balancing the demands of work and family. The 2024 'Women in Rescue' Award went to Anita Oppong. The head of the emergency paramedic school at the German Maltese Cross Westphalia Training Centre is herself a trained rescue assistant and emergency paramedic. The award was presented to her by Dr Daniela Lesmeister, Permanent Secretary at the North Rhine Westphalian State Ministry of the Interior. Lesmeister also presented an honorary award to Dorothea Schneider, the longest-serving female firefighter in North Rhine Westphalia, in special recognition of her many years of active service.

A packed conference programme

The Rescue & Emergency Medicine Congress, which included the German Rescue Service Symposium on the first two days, was also one of the specialist highlights. The third day of the conference was organised by the North Rhine Westphalia Emergency Doctors' Syndicate. The largest civilian event for tactical medicine in the German-speaking world took place in parallel with the show. The Tactical Situations in Emergency Services symposium (S+K Verlag) saw experts reporting on the latest innovations in tactical medicine, presenting masterplans for dealing with hazardous situations and analysing real-life operations with exclusive background information. Conferences such as those organised by the NRW Association of Professional Fire Department Directors and the Urban Municipalities' Convention, which were held on the Wednesday and Thursday of the show, attracted expert audiences.

Fun and games, sports and action for rescuers both young and old

As at the inaugural show, the supporting programme was not just of high technical quality, but also entertaining and partly interactive. For example, the sports course organised by FireSports Dortmund, the official department of the Dortmund City Fire Brigades Association, was very well received. '112! Be there! Flashing Light Gang in action' was also the motto for over 170 fire brigade kids and 86 supervisors at a rally supported by numerous providers. At the end of the day, each child received a medal, and there was a certificate for the winning team. Another special crowd-puller was a spectacular outdoor highlight from Weber Rescue Systems. The specialist in innovative hydraulic and pneumatic rescue systems presented its state-of-the-art crash system which can be used to safely deform training vehicles for training purposes without endangering the emergency crews themselves. Visitors to the show also had the opportunity to meet over 20 well-known brand ambassadors from the fire and rescue sector in person, including Luis Teichmann, Celina Woll, Robert von robmedc and Samy Splint, as well as 'FeuerwehrWilli' alias André Willer, Bernd Ültzhöfer, Niklas Röder, Ann-Sophie Keszler and many more.

In action for a good cause

Together with fwtex, a provider of team and service clothing for the fire services, 112RESCUE got involved in support of children. Iris Wessel, coordinator of the Löwenzahn outpatient children's and youth hospice service in Dortmund, was delighted with the proceeds from a vending machine for cuddly toys placed in the venue.

New date for 2025

The date for the next 112RESCUE has already been set. The next show will be held between 25 and 28 June 2025 – once again in the halls and the outdoor grounds at Messe Dortmund.

112RESCUE 2024 – What people had to say

Christoph Schöneborn, Chief Executive of the Association of Fire Brigades in North Rhine Westphalia (VdF NRW), conceptual partner of 112RESCUE

“We're delighted with the high number of trade visitors at 112RESCUE and can already see that the show is being widely accepted as a meeting place for the blues-and-twos family. And with that, 112RESCUE is doing exactly what we want it to do. The major increase in visitors from other German states is particularly pleasing. Also, trade visitors are telling us that all their questions can indeed be answered here in one place. This fills us with pride, especially in view of the fact that this is just the second show.“

Philipp Hartke, Robotics Spokesman for Alpha Robotics Germany GmbH & Co KG

“We've been particularly impressed by the layout of 112RESCUE and the presentations. On the recommendation of our cooperation partner, we decided to exhibit at the show this year. 112RESCUE is the ideal place for us to familiarise a wide audience with rescue robotics and make our contribution to protection and safety.”

Simon Wuttke, Sales Manager at ATLAS Schuhfabrik GmbH & Co KG

“ATLAS Schuhfabrik is exhibiting at 112RESCUE for the second time this year. We're impressed by the infrastructure and smooth organisation at Messe Dortmund. We've also been able to hold many constructive discussions with trade visitors and other exhibitors, and make contacts beyond the confines of this part of Germany. We have a great community here. In my opinion, the show has a lot of potential with this location, which has a large catchment area. I'm convinced we're going to be back next year.”

Jens Jürgensen, Public Sector Clients Manager at Bosch Sicherheitssysteme GmbH

“Thanks to our customer, we were represented at 112RESCUE for the first time this year and regard the show as an ideal place for networking. We've held important, high-quality discussions with customers during the show. They've been good all-round interactions with added value. We've been able to present our innovative products to visitors in person and demonstrate their versatility to great effect.”

André Schulze Forsthövel, CEO of brinck Fire Protection Centre Münster

“We're exhibiting at 112RESCUE for the first time as a specialist retail partner with ten of our partners. The quality of the discussions is really high, and the show's the ideal place to present our products.”

Klaus Albert, Head of CBRN Protection at deconta group

“We used 112RESCUE to present two new products. As our target audience is at the show, this was the perfect opportunity to present our new vehicles directly. This was very well received. 112RESCUE offers an excellent combination of different areas.”

Carsten Schlabach, Business Development Manager, Fire & Safety at DÖNGES GmbH & Co KG

“We're really happy with how 112RESCUE has gone. The dialogue between people meeting together on an equal footing has been exceptionally substantive and pleasant. Important decision-makers are present at the show. We'll be back next year as a matter of principle.”

Kay Behring, CEO of eLBe Sonderfahrzeuge GmbH

“112RESCUE has helped us increase awareness of our brand. The show has enabled us to win several new customers. It has the potential to grow, especially at this venue.”

Fabian Brockmann, Managing Director of Brockmann GmbH Fahrzeug- & Kommunikationstechnik

“For us, 112RESCUE has the perfect location for meeting our target audience all in one place. The full-time fire services that are important to us are in attendance here. We've used the show as an opportunity to gain potential customers and meet our existing customers in person. The discussions have been very specialised and informative. 112RESCUE is a highly attractive show that continues to grow.”

Ingo Esser, Managing Director of HANS PETER ESSER GmbH

“For me, some of the biggest benefits are the excellent transport links and the location right at the centre of the Ruhr conurbation with its many institutions and businesses in the immediate vicinity.”

Marco Schauff, Head of Marketing and Communications at the German St John's Ambulance service in North Rhine Westphalia

“The second 112RESCUE has been a big success for us at St John's NRW, offering a host of excellent contacts. We've been able to familiarise experts and interested lay-people with our UNIKE specialist vehicles for extreme weather situations in disaster control. We've also been able to present ourselves as a capable partner in rescue services and disaster control, and as an innovative employer. We'll definitely be back at 112RESCUE 2025 and are looking forward to it.”

Miriam Link, Product Consultant at Peter Schmitt GmbH

“Compared to last year, we reckon 112RESCUE has become more innovative. 112RESCUE is constantly evolving.”

Volker Lange, Managing Director of Regina Lange Medizintechnik GmbH

“We feel we're in very good hands at 112RESCUE. We've also been impressed by the infrastructure at Messe Dortmund. It was very pleasing to see our stand idea well-engineered. Next year, we want to continue to grow with the campus at 112RESCUE.”

Philipp Utermann, Managing Director and Head of School at ResQuality GmbH

“112RESCUE is the only show at which we exhibit and is an absolute must for us. I especially appreciate the variety of exhibitors.”

Kerstin Dango from the Sales Department at SHARK ROBOTICS

“We're extremely happy with the organisation of 112RESCUE. Everything worked smoothly. We also really enjoyed the discussions with the visitors, as they were very interested in our products. The 112RESCUE exhibitor evening was a major highlight.”

Klaus Hawerkamp, Sales Director at S-GARD Hubert Schmitz GmbH

“The fact that not just the decision-makers but also the teams were at the venue has been really beneficial to us. They were able to see our products for themselves.”

   
EXHIBITION AT A GLANCE

112 RESCUE – THE FIRE SAFETY, RESCUE AND CIVIL DEFENCE TRADE SHOW
Exhibitors' offerings at this trade show represent a broadly diversified overview of the market and consist of proven existing and future products, applications, services, ideas and solutions in all areas of civil protection and defence. Added to this are live demonstrations in a variety of safety-related subject areas.

DATE:
5 – 8 June 2024
(25 - 28 June 2025)

PATRONS:

NRW State Ministry of the Interior

NRW State Ministry of Labour, Health & Social Affairs

CONCEPTUAL PARTNER:

Verband der Feuerwehren in NRW e.V. (VdF NRW, the Association of Fire Brigades in North Rhine Westphalia)

EVENT ORGANISER:
Messe Dortmund GmbH

HALLS OCCUPIED:
Halls 4, 5, 6 and 7 and the outdoor grounds

EXHIBITORS:
Over 280 exhibitors from 11 countries

VISITORS:
15.600

TARGET VISITOR GROUPS:
The show is specifically aimed at decision-makers and those with an advisory influence on purchasing matters – at municipal and state level, and spanning both voluntary and paid staff – in fire departments, rescue services, heavy equipment agencies, relief organisations and the entire disaster control sector. The show will equally be of interest to societies and associations (e.g. public sector institutes for occupational accident insurance and prevention, and chambers of commerce), local and state politicians as well as job seekers and training providers – and anyone with an interest in rescue, protection and safety.