Dr. Steve Glassey was honoured as a finalist at the inaugural Global Search & Rescue Excellence Awards in London for his pioneering work on the Swiftwater Breathing Apparatus (SWBA). Glassey was named a finalist in the Innovator of the Year category, recognising his contribution to advancing safety in swiftwater rescue. Additionally, the Public Safety Institute, which he represents, was shortlisted for Training Provider of the Year, reflecting its commitment to high-quality rescue training around the world.

The awards ceremony took place at the historic One Great George Street, home to the Institution of Civil Engineers, located near 10 Downing Street in Westminster. The event brought together leading figures from the international search and rescue community, with nominees representing a wide range of disciplines and countries.

During the event, Dr. Glassey reconnected with fellow University of Portsmouth alumni, including Dr. Bob Koester, Dr. Ian Greatbatch, and Lucy Macleod, all of whom are respected figures in global search and rescue. He also took the opportunity to meet Dr. Neil Powell of the Search and Rescue Association Ireland North, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, and was accompanied by the event’s only German Shepherd, highlighting the important role of canine teams in rescue operations.

The Swiftwater Breathing Apparatus, developed by Glassey and the Public Safety Institute in partnership with Submersible Systems, is designed to enhance rescuer safety by providing critical respiratory protection during swiftwater incidents. The SWBA has been recognised as a potential game-changer in the field, offering rescuers valuable extra minutes for self-rescue or to assist others, and has undergone rigorous testing and type approval for operational use.

Glassey and PSI were the only finalists from Australasia, among a variety of countries including the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Slovenia, United States, China, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Austria, Malta, South Africa, Germany and Ireland.