Fire rescue crews racing against time

Fire rescue crews racing against time to save victims of simulated road crashes

United Fire Brigades’ Association (UFBA) National Road Crash Rescue Challenge – a competition in which Fire Rescue crews race against the clock to extricate and treat live patients in scenarios designed to replicate road crash incidents firefighters see in real life.

The Challenge is already underway – and it continues today and tomorrow, 7 and 8 March starting at 9am on both days and ending around 4.30pm. Members of the public are encouraged to come out and watch the rescue crews in action as they cut live patients free from vehicles. The event is free of charge.

Manfield Raceway, Feilding

18 teams – all from volunteer brigades from throughout New Zealand will take part in this long-standing competitive sport for firefighters. Following are the teams that are competing:

Balclutha
Feilding
Geraldine

Greytown
Hawera
Leeston
Lincoln
Kerikeri

Morrinsville Queenstown Ranfurly
Rangiora
Rolleston
Silverdale
Stratford
Whitianga
Favorites to win are the winners of each of the Regional Challenges that preceded the Nationals: Greytown, Rolleston, Whitianga and Balclutha.

By competing in the event, firefighters learn new emergency rescue and medical techniques, practices and procedures to rescue people injured in motor vehicle crashes efficiently and without further injury to deliver them to hospital sooner and give them the best chance of survival.

“Responding to road crashes has become a significant responsibility for many fire brigades, so more and more firefighters are recognising the Road Crash Rescue Challenge as a valuable training opportunity,” says George Verry, Chief Executive Officer of the United Fire Brigades’ Association, the host organisation. “Demonstrating the realistic road crash scenarios during the event also helps promote road safety in the public.”

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