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Emergency Services Times, February, 2007
AES Detection Investigation and Monitoring Vehicles Enter Service
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (now the Department of the Communities) awarded AES with the prestigious Detection Investigation and Monitoring (DIM) contract for 18 vehicles to be supplied to the greater Fire and Rescue Service. Subsequent orders have been received from Wales and Northern Ireland. The value of the contract exceeded two million pounds. This contract is part of the New Dimension project established and funded by central government to provide a national response to a disaster.
What are the missions of the DIM vehicles?
Based on the Iveco Daily 50 C 17 5.2 Tonne extra high roof van platform the DIM vehicle enables the Detection, Identification and Monitoring Advisor to transport the suite of DIM equipment provided by the Department of Communities to an emergency and carry out a detailed analysis of the unidentified substance in a suitable environment.
The primary functions of the DIM equipment are to enhance the present FRS capability to detect, identify and monitor hazards and also to identify substances at Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) or Hazardous Materials “HazMat” incidents.
Timely, well organised detection and identification of hazardous substances at the scene of a CBRN or ‘HazMats’ incident will not only assist in identifying appropriate cordoning of the incident and determine the necessary safe systems of work (including the required levels of personal protection) but inevitably, reduce risk to members of the public, emergency responders and the environment. It can also significantly reduce the time taken to successfully resolve such an incident thus mitigating societal and economic impacts and assist in re-establishing or maintaining business continuity.
Requirements
The vehicle layout was determined by the equipment carried. The driver cab was fitted out with specialist and resilient communication systems as well as navigation systems to facilitate deployment. The central or laboratory area carried specially stowed analysis equipment in a climatically controlled environment, multiple battery packs and the IT infrastructure. M1 Jany seats provided a slide and swivel seating which permits work to start as soon as the vehicle leaves it centre of operation. Power is supplied to the vehicle from both on-board DC and AC sources managed by a programmable logic controlled electrical system.
The rear equipment predominantly consisting of personal decontamination systems, lighting and generator equipment is stowed in a custom designed carriage system allowing rapid deployment from the vehicle using a Penny Hydraulics Step Lift.
The outcome specification required full analysis and development through 3D graphical modelling, stress analysis and prototyping.
The significant risk identified early in the process was the Human Factors element due to the operational environment and physical properties of the personnel decontamination equipment being deployed.
Special developments
With a crew or four riding and a significant equipment manifesto, weight was a key issue. Our associated fabrication business AJES developed a new lightweight laminate for this project which using in-house laser cutting equipment allowed them to manufacture the furniture for the laboratory area in a consistent and prefabricated way reducing weight and speeding up the production process
Human Factors
A formal process of user trials based on the prototype vehicle identified the steps taken by the users in completing their assignment; these individual tasks were assessed to identify hazards. Having established these protocols the risks were assessed and engineering solutions developed to mitigate them. Where it was not possible to design them out risks are controlled through procedures identified in the vehicle operators manual and training needs analysis.
The vehicles once finished are sent to strategic FRS locations to guarantee quick deployment ensuring the best possible response and intervention to our major centres of population
To provide the capability required, it was primordial to design suitable vehicles able to deploy at an appropriate road speed to satisfy the required incident attendance timescales. The vehicles had to be ergonomically designed and with a driveability factor to minimise the fatigue on the driver/operator. The vehicles provide navigational information.
The design of the vehicles had to guarantee sufficient storage capacity for the equipment and facilities required to carry out the detection identification monitoring analysis. The equipment had to be stored securely and is totally self sufficient and therefore provide storage facilities for respiratory and other prescribed personal protective equipment.
The vehicles provide sufficient IT provision to enable the DIM to analyse their findings and email the results for further clarification from an international company when appropriate.
Communication
The Department of the Communities was after an offer an end-to-end communication system managed service, from design through to in-service logistical support. The Department of the Communities wanted a full project management service including design, quality and supply chain management integration as well as post -production engineering services.
The Intelligent IDR from M~Flow
The Department of the Communities have procured as part of the contract a full M~Flow back office system receiving vehicle management and location information from the M~Flow FMS 500 data recorder. With this system the users can track and analyse the health of the vehicle continuously working to improve their use, availability and care.
AES strong of their past experience, and following the successful achievements of the DIM contract have a promising year 2007 to come working with new projects and contracts for the Emergency Services and the Government and Government partners. The DIM contract has underlined the ability for AES to work as a Prime Contractor direct for Government, Agencies and Authorities we have now provided all New Dimension communication, electrical integration and IT systems and continue to work with out partners supporting these systems throughout the British Isles
AES Detection Investigation and Monitoring Vehicles Enter Service
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (now the Department of the Communities) awarded AES with the prestigious Detection Investigation and Monitoring (DIM) contract for 18 vehicles to be supplied to the greater Fire and Rescue Service. Subsequent orders have been received from Wales and Northern Ireland. The value of the contract exceeded two million pounds. This contract is part of the New Dimension project established and funded by central government to provide a national response to a disaster.
What are the missions of the DIM vehicles?
Based on the Iveco Daily 50 C 17 5.2 Tonne extra high roof van platform the DIM vehicle enables the Detection, Identification and Monitoring Advisor to transport the suite of DIM equipment provided by the Department of Communities to an emergency and carry out a detailed analysis of the unidentified substance in a suitable environment.
The primary functions of the DIM equipment are to enhance the present FRS capability to detect, identify and monitor hazards and also to identify substances at Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) or Hazardous Materials “HazMat” incidents.
Timely, well organised detection and identification of hazardous substances at the scene of a CBRN or ‘HazMats’ incident will not only assist in identifying appropriate cordoning of the incident and determine the necessary safe systems of work (including the required levels of personal protection) but inevitably, reduce risk to members of the public, emergency responders and the environment. It can also significantly reduce the time taken to successfully resolve such an incident thus mitigating societal and economic impacts and assist in re-establishing or maintaining business continuity.
Requirements
The vehicle layout was determined by the equipment carried. The driver cab was fitted out with specialist and resilient communication systems as well as navigation systems to facilitate deployment. The central or laboratory area carried specially stowed analysis equipment in a climatically controlled environment, multiple battery packs and the IT infrastructure. M1 Jany seats provided a slide and swivel seating which permits work to start as soon as the vehicle leaves it centre of operation. Power is supplied to the vehicle from both on-board DC and AC sources managed by a programmable logic controlled electrical system.
The rear equipment predominantly consisting of personal decontamination systems, lighting and generator equipment is stowed in a custom designed carriage system allowing rapid deployment from the vehicle using a Penny Hydraulics Step Lift.
The outcome specification required full analysis and development through 3D graphical modelling, stress analysis and prototyping.
The significant risk identified early in the process was the Human Factors element due to the operational environment and physical properties of the personnel decontamination equipment being deployed.
Special developments
With a crew or four riding and a significant equipment manifesto, weight was a key issue. Our associated fabrication business AJES developed a new lightweight laminate for this project which using in-house laser cutting equipment allowed them to manufacture the furniture for the laboratory area in a consistent and prefabricated way reducing weight and speeding up the production process
Human Factors
A formal process of user trials based on the prototype vehicle identified the steps taken by the users in completing their assignment; these individual tasks were assessed to identify hazards. Having established these protocols the risks were assessed and engineering solutions developed to mitigate them. Where it was not possible to design them out risks are controlled through procedures identified in the vehicle operators manual and training needs analysis.
The vehicles once finished are sent to strategic FRS locations to guarantee quick deployment ensuring the best possible response and intervention to our major centres of population
To provide the capability required, it was primordial to design suitable vehicles able to deploy at an appropriate road speed to satisfy the required incident attendance timescales. The vehicles had to be ergonomically designed and with a driveability factor to minimise the fatigue on the driver/operator. The vehicles provide navigational information.
The design of the vehicles had to guarantee sufficient storage capacity for the equipment and facilities required to carry out the detection identification monitoring analysis. The equipment had to be stored securely and is totally self sufficient and therefore provide storage facilities for respiratory and other prescribed personal protective equipment.
The vehicles provide sufficient IT provision to enable the DIM to analyse their findings and email the results for further clarification from an international company when appropriate.
Communication
The Department of the Communities was after an offer an end-to-end communication system managed service, from design through to in-service logistical support. The Department of the Communities wanted a full project management service including design, quality and supply chain management integration as well as post -production engineering services.
The Intelligent IDR from M~Flow
The Department of the Communities have procured as part of the contract a full M~Flow back office system receiving vehicle management and location information from the M~Flow FMS 500 data recorder. With this system the users can track and analyse the health of the vehicle continuously working to improve their use, availability and care.
AES strong of their past experience, and following the successful achievements of the DIM contract have a promising year 2007 to come working with new projects and contracts for the Emergency Services and the Government and Government partners. The DIM contract has underlined the ability for AES to work as a Prime Contractor direct for Government, Agencies and Authorities we have now provided all New Dimension communication, electrical integration and IT systems and continue to work with out partners supporting these systems throughout the British Isles