Safescape® Runner up in BIA 2001 Finals November 2001

Life Saving Device Tops Awards Alert Safety Technologies was Runner Up in the prestigious transport award with its revolutionary emergency escape system Safescape®. Alert Safety, based in East Kilbride, was one of only five companies selected as a Finalists in the Bus Industry Award for Innovation at the sixth annual bus industry 'Oscars'. The nomination followed two major award wins for the Safescape® system in less than a year as one of the best new safety products on the market for public transport. The Safescape® system has been specifically designed to speed up emergency escape by breaking the windows at the push of a button. This is much quicker, safer and easier than the current method where passengers have to break the windows themselves with only a small hammer. This method was criticised at the Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry. Passengers on the train reported extreme difficulty in escaping from burning carriages and that the hammers were difficult to locate and even broke when they tried to use them. In a fire, every second counts and smoke can kill. Escape using Safescape® takes seconds and can therefore save lives. Avril McNeill, marketing director of Alert Safety Technologies, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have been Runner Up in this award, particularly because it is from those who work within the industry itself and understand exactly what is needed to improve bus services for passengers. She added: "We have worked very hard to develop the system which offers both rail and bus companies a real alternative to current escape methods. What's more, Safescape® cannot be stolen and is protected against misuse." Bus Industry Award Director, Chris Cheek, said: "The Bus Industry Awards highlight the fact that more operators are giving customers better service - providing journeys where and when they're needed, using better-trained staff, higher quality buses and improved safety and infrastructure. "With 130 entries received from 247 organisations - including museums, National Parks, the Police and visitor attractions as well as bus companies and local authorities - the Bus Industry Awards is driving up standards of excellence and best practice across all aspects of the industry. The Awards Scheme also creates a level playing field so that the smallest players, like Alert Safety Technologies, are able to compete for the UK's prestige awards against some of the biggest in the industry." The Awards was presented by Professor Begg of the Strategic Rail Authority at the Bus Industry Awards 2001 presentation ceremony, at the London Hilton on Park Lane on 20 November.

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