Firefighters gear up for Australasian Rescue Challenge

Queensland’s Fire and Rescue firefighters are honing their road crash rescue skills in preparation for this year’s Australasian Rescue Challenge.

Three teams of five firefighters from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services plus one paramedic in each will take part in the event in Dubbo from 25 to 28 July.  

Twenty-one teams from Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong will compete in various road rescue challenges in the Australasian Road Rescue Challenge.

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said the three teams included one from Cairns and two from Brisbane.

“All teams have put in hours of training to prepare for this challenge and showcase the skills they have learned during many years of service,” Mr Crawford said.

“Participation in this event not only highlights the dedication of our emergency services workers but also their willingness to learn and help the Queensland community.”

Mr Crawford said that as well as being a challenge for participants, it was a chance to learn and further their skills.

“New techniques and equipment are used throughout the Challenge and participants also attend a learning symposium,” he said.  

“What they learn can be shared with their colleagues to develop their skills and implement them where it really matters: at road crash rescue incidents.

“These types of incidents are unfortunately a common job for QFES personnel, who respond to more than 14,000 road traffic crashes each year.”

QFES Acting Commissioner Mike Wassing said it was a rewarding experience for the three QFES teams to compete against their counterparts from Australia and the world.

“Teams compete over three days in simulated challenges that test their ability to safely and quickly remove trapped motorists and their passengers,” Mr Wassing said.

“Teams have 30 minutes to rescue the casualties and are judged on their leadership, technical skills and medical skills.

“Two members of each team also compete in a trauma challenge to specifically test and hone medical skills.”

The top two placed teams from the Australasian Rescue Challenge will qualify to compete at the World Rescue Challenge in Miami in the United States next year.

Mr Wassing wished all three QFES teams the best of luck at the competition.

“The competition will be a true test of participants’ skills and will also showcase QFES’ capabilities to a national and international audience,” he said.

Media: 0417 296 116

ENDS