The SMART approach to saving lives in a disaster finds interest from Down Under

Halifax-based TSG Associates, which was founded in 1993, plays a vital role in protecting victims of accidents and atrocities.

TSG's best known product is its SMART Incident Command System, which was developed in 1996 by the firm's founder, Colin Smart. TSG's "triage" procedure enables emergency workers to quickly assess the severity of injuries suffered during incidents such as road traffic accidents, terrorist attacks and earthquakes.

TSG Associates has a turnover of 1.5m and it is aiming for annual sales of more than 2.5m on the back of plans to set up an Australian operation.

The business is also introducing an online training system for new and existing customers.

During the last 15 years, the company has developed a number of core products including the SMART Tag – a high visibility, folded tag which can be attached to injured patients and indicate how urgently they should be treated.

The tag has military standard barcodes for tracking patients and is resistant to water, chemicals and body fluids. It also allows patients to be re-triaged without the need to change their tag.

TSG has launched identification tags for emergencies where nuclear, chemical or biological agents are suspected to have been involved.

TSG Associates, senior partner Simon Pennells said: "There remain to be significant opportunities within the US and Europe for TSG, but the interest that we've received from Australia has been extremely positive."

The Leeds office of national accountants, Baker Tilly, is advising the business on its plans.

Shaun Mullins, partner at the Leeds office of Baker Tilly, said: "From its base in Halifax, TSG has successfully established itself as a world leader in the sector. It has been trialling its product ranges across Australia and it certainly looks like sales will take off here in a similar way to how they have in the US."