Wyong firefighters will form one of five regional teams to take part in a multi-agency State Road Crash Rescue Challenge next month at Coffs Harbour.
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) teams from Dubbo, Ulladulla, Region South and Region North will join the Wyong team in competing 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 on May 6-7.
Challenge organisers 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 who will judge the teams’ direction, technical competency and medical know-how.
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 organisations with an opportunity to maintain their road rescue skills and encourage cross-referencing of related information and techniques.
FRNSW Assistant Commissioner – Regional Operations, Cheryl Steer, said there would 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,” she said.
“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.”
There will also be a community engagement event on Saturday with displays from FRNSW, the Rural Fire Service (RFS), SES, VRA and Marine Rescue.
Doors open at 7.30am on both days at the International Stadium in Stadium Dr, Coffs Harbour.
Source:
Fire and Rescue NSW