A Fire and Rescue NSW crew from Wollongong is hell-bent on turning the tables when it competes in this week’s Australasian Road Rescue Organization (ARRO) Challenge in Adelaide.
Along with Broken Hill and a combined Region South team, the Wollongong firefighters form one of three FRNSW crews chasing top honours in the national titles.
Emergency services
Wollongong finished second overall in 2022, narrowly losing to South Australia’s Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS), this year’s ARRO Challenge hosts.
Emergency services from across Australasia will compete over four days from June 29 – July 2, in a series of challenges – Entrapped Rescue, Controlled Rescue, Time Critical Rescue and Trauma Rescue. They’ll each be put to the test, with judges assessing their ability to master the different simulations.
firefighter down scenarios
The rivalry is friendly, but the focus is serious as each crew practices cutting cars apart
The rivalry is friendly, but the focus is serious as each crew practices cutting cars apart to reach “trapped” motorists, providing emergency first aid, and perfecting ‘firefighter down’ scenarios.
FRNSW Deputy Commissioner – Field Operations and ARRO President, Jeremy Fewtrell, said the competition is a terrific way for agencies to share their ideas, improve their proficiency and show the community it’s in safe hands when road crashes occur.
ARRO Challenge
"I’m really proud of the level of skill shown by the competing agencies," said Deputy Commissioner Fewtrell, adding "It’s not just about speed but knowledge, innovation, teamwork and attention to detail."
He continues, "The benefits and know-how that arise from the ARRO Challenge are directly reflected at crash scenes when the public needs us the most."
