Over the six days of Interschutz 2010, Leipzig will serve as the world capital for firefighters from across the globe. Running from 7 to 12 June, the international exhibition for rescue services, fire prevention, disaster relief and safety/security will take place in five halls as well as on the open-air site at the Leipzig Exhibition Center. As at Interschutz five years ago in Hannover, the organizers at Deutsche Messe are anticipating over 1,000 exhibitors and attendance of considerably more than 100,000. A ratio of more than 90 percent trade visitors makes INTERSCHUTZ the ideal platform for generating business leads and deals - all the more so since the 28th German Firefighting Convention has been scheduled to run concurrently in Leipzig.

A full nine months before opening day of the event, just under 900 exhibitors from 42 nations had already registered for Interschutz, underscoring the event's strong international appeal. With more than 430 registered exhibitors so far, Germany has the strongest contingent, followed by China, the United States, Italy and the United Kingdom. First-time exhibiting nations at next year's event include Australia, Hong Kong and Peru. The amount of display space occupied by foreign exhibitors is up 15 percent for the upcoming event. The concept of developing INTERSCHUTZ into the international exhibition for rescue services, fire prevention, disaster relief and safety/security has thus been fully validated.

Disaster and fire prevention facing major challenges

Fire brigades and emergency relief services across the globe are confronted by a major shift in their complex set of tasks. INTERSCHUTZ 2010 will showcase the benefits of new technologies and operational methods as well as improved international cooperation. Fire brigades and international relief organizations are now needed more than ever if the maximum degree of security is to be achieved. Effective deployment of these emergency relief organizations is unthinkable today without state-of-the-art technology, including sophisticated monitoring systems and communication technology.

A major focus at the show till be on rescue services and fire prevention, which have already registered strong exhibitor growth. Additional growth has come in the area of measuring and detection equipment.

Innovations and trends highlighted at INTERSCHUTZ 2010

The upcoming INTERSCHUTZ in June 2010 will present the current state of the art as well as the latest trends for fire prevention and disaster relief, including ultra-modern vehicles equipped with sophisticated, specially tailored communication and navigations systems as well as mission control centers that can directly transmit video images of the blaze or disaster site to vehicles underway. A special focus will consist of how rescue robots and drones can relieve crews, issue warnings and protect people in dangerous situations; they are also capable of monitoring hazardous zones and large areas. This field will also be thoroughly explored at a two-day, international fire prevention symposium, organized by the German Fire Protection Association (vfdb) and covering the latest developments in fire risk analysis and prevention.

The area of "rescue services" will be even more strongly represented at next year's INTERSCHUTZ. At the most recent event in Hannover five years ago, some 40,000 visitors reported having a particularly strong interest in this field. At INTERSCHUTZ 2010, exhibitors from the "self" and "outside" rescue service sector will be located primarily in halls 2 and 3 as well as on the open-air site. Here, too, the number of exhibitors has gone up.

Big-name manufacturers of emergency and medical ambulances will also be back for the upcoming INTERSCHUTZ. All the major emergency relief organizations will be on hand to demonstrate their high level of expertise and training - including their perfect command of state-of-the-art medical technology and sophisticated electronic equipment. This part of the show will also be backed up by a comprehensive supporting program.

High-caliber supporting program

The important role of INTERSCHUTZ will be underscored by a high-caliber supporting program consisting of forums, workshops, special events and live demonstrations on the open-air site. INTERSCHUTZ offers a unique mix of commercial and non-commercial exhibitors for maximum synergy effects. Exhibitors will be displaying the latest technologies, trends and services from the areas of protection and prevention, rescue work and defense, contingency planning and organization, making INTERSCHUTZ the No. 1 international event for anyone involved in fire prevention, disaster relief, rescue services and safety/security. Further information is available at www.interschutz.de/events and www.vfdb.de.

Fire brigade "activity mile" in downtown Leipzig

A lively "activity mile", a classic fire truck parade and active encounters among youth and visitors from across Europe: The program of the 28th German Firefighting Convention features numerous highlights. The German Firefighting Association (DFV), the German Youth Fire Brigade (DJF) and the world firefighting association CTIF are offering numerous attractive program items. Downtown Leipzig will be the site of activities, allowing visitors to acquire first-hand information and hands-on experience in potential hazards, the right reaction, fire prevention self-help and involvement in the fire brigades.

The grand climax will come on Sunday, when a big parade of more than 200 classic fire trucks - from the "Roaring Twenties" till the present - will drive through downtown Leipzig. More detailed information on the German Firefighting Convention is available in German at www.dfv.org/feuerwehrtag.