Road crash rescue specialists from the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) will this week test their skills alongside our emergency service partners at a national competition in Adelaide.
The Australasian Rescue Challenge will take place from 29 June to 2 July, and will see a range of emergency services exchange knowledge and skills in road and trauma rescue through different practical exercises and a symposium.
NSW SES teams from Port Macquarie, Port Stephens and Coffs Harbour will be put through their paces at the event, with hands-on road crash rescue simulations giving them an opportunity hone their skills.
Coffs Harbour Unit Commander Ian Horncastle said the challenge would give new members of the road crash rescue unit an opportunity to be mentored from more experienced SES volunteers.
“Two of our most senior road crash rescue experts, who have international competition experience, have been training the team and helping them prepare for the challenge,” Mr Horncastle said.
“Not only will the event test our skills, but it will enhance the capabilities of our newer members moving into a real-world environment.
“It is important we are up to speed on advanced skills, new equipment and techniques, so when members are out in the field, they can adapt quickly to any situation they are faced with.”
The NSW SES Coffs Harbour unit is among the busiest road crash rescue units in the state, often responding to high-speed crashes on the Pacific Highway and extracting patients trapped in vehicles alongside other emergency services.
“Events like this help improve speed and accuracy to assist the community – one minute could be the difference between life or death in a real road crash emergency,” Mr Horncastle said.
“We are always working with other combat agencies on the road, so to understand how they work will make responding to emergencies alongside each other even more seamless.”
NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York APM wished the teams well, and said events like the rescue challenge not only grow the skills of volunteers, but give participants a chance to see how they’re going through peer review.
“It’s vital for volunteers to test their capabilities and skills alongside other road crash response agencies, and continue to enhance our inter-agency cross training and relationships,” Commissioner York said.
“The scenarios our road crash rescue operators will be exposed to during the challenge will replicate real-life accidents that responders are called to and will include very realistic injuries and entrapments that ate hard to simulate in regular activities.”
Picture: Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, and Port Stephens teams.
