Five teams of firefighters will represent Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) in a multi-agency State Road Crash Rescue Challenge next month at Coffs Harbor on the state’s north coast.
The FRNSW crews from Dubbo, Wyong, Ulladulla, ‘Region South’ and ‘Region North’ will compete against eight teams from the State Emergency Service (SES), two from the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) and one from Victoria’s Country Fire Authority (CFA) in a series of events being held over Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May at the Coffs Harbor International Stadium.
Simulated rescue competitions
Challenge organizers have gathered 55 cars to be crushed by an excavator to replicate different car crash scenarios. The vehicles will then be cut apart in simulated rescue competitions.
According to the competition rules, each rescue crew of six first responders has just 30 minutes to carry out its tasks under the watchful eye of competition assessors, judging the teams’ direction, technical competency and medical know-how.
Road rescue skills
The annual competition, now in its third year, was created to provide corps with an opportunity
In addition to two main car crash events, the teams will also compete in a ‘trauma challenge,’ a ‘first aid’ emergency, an ‘industrial/domestic’ rescue simulation, and a CPR response.
The annual competition, now in its third year, was created to provide organizations with an opportunity to maintain their road rescue skills and encourage cross-referencing of related information and techniques.
How first responders deal with car crashes
FRNSW Assistant Commissioner – Regional Operations, Cheryl Steer, said there will be plenty going on over the weekend to entertain the public.
“When you haven’t seen this sort of activity up close, it’s just great to be able to just get in there and have a look at the equipment and watch how the teams work together to safely cut the cars up,” said Assistant Commissioner, Cheryl Steer.
She adds, “It’s a real eye-opener as well…you don’t normally get to see how first responders deal with car crashes…and how they use the tools carried on the trucks to save lives."
Rural Fire Service
There will also be a community engagement event on Saturday with displays from FRNSW, the Rural Fire Service (RFS), SES, VRA, and Marine Rescue. The public is encouraged to attend the event.
Doors open at 7.30 am on both days at the International Stadium in Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbor.