Nineteen teams of first responders will put their skills to the test in a multi-agency ‘Road Crash Rescue Challenge’ in Dubbo.
The State Road Crash Rescue Challenge is a two-day event that provides frontline emergency workers with the opportunity to showcase their knowledge in relation to incident command, vehicle extractions and first aid.
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) will compete alongside the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), Victoria’s Country Fire Authority (CFA) and the Volunteer Rescue Association NSW (VRA) in a competition held over 25-26 May 2024, at Dubbo Showground.
More about the competition
Under the watchful eye of competition assessors, teams will be given 30 minutes to complete ‘Entrapped’ and ‘Controlled’ road crash rescue challenges, plus an additional three scenarios in ‘Trauma’, ‘CPR’ and ‘Industrial & Domestic Rescue.’
Event organizers have collected 50 vehicles, which teams will carefully cut apart during the rescue simulations. Support members will be on scene as ‘casualties’ to make the scenarios as realistic as possible.
Building up skills of firefighters
The competitive aspect adds an element of excitement, but the main aim for their firefighters is to build up their skills
FRNSW Acting Deputy Commissioner – Field Operations, Cheryl Steer, said the competitive aspect adds an element of excitement, but the main aim for their firefighters is to build up their skills and strengthen the relationships they have with their fellow rescue agencies.
Cheryl Steer said, "Now in its fourth year, the State Road Crash Rescue Challenge is a great event that gives our people the opportunity to learn from other agencies and also share ideas. While we all come from different organizations, our goal is the same – to keep our communities safe."
"This event also gives the public the opportunity to observe the technical and medical capabilities of our first responders in action, something many people don’t usually get to see," she added.
Strengthening inter-agency partnerships
NSW SES Deputy Commissioner, Daniel Austin, said the event is vital for developing the skill of their rescuers and strengthening inter-agency partnerships.
"It is crucial that our volunteers are highly competent with advanced skills, new equipment and techniques, so that they can adapt quickly to any situation they are faced with when they are out in the field," said Deputy Commissioner Austin, adding, "Events like this not only refine the proficiencies of our volunteers and enhance our inter-agency cooperation and working relationships, but also ensure the community gets the best possible response it can."
Doors open at 7am on both days at the Dubbo Showground (Cnr Fitzroy and Wingewarra Streets). The public is encouraged to attend.
