GM fire fighters compete with the best

Fire fighters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have returned from Barcelona, Spain after taking 9th place overall in a life saving competition. The World Rescue Challenge (WRC) saw world class rescue teams compete in the annual competition designed to challenge emergency service personnel and raise awareness of the global problem of road death and injury.

Thirty international teams took part in the challenge with each team being made up of six members, consisting of an officer in charge (team captain), medics, and three tool operators. All teams competed in three parts of the competition.

• The first was the ‘Standard scenario’, where all types of rescue equipment can be used to extricate the casualty in 20 minutes.
• Next was the ‘Complex scenario’, which emphasised a more serious road collision with two casualties severely trapped. The team have up to 30 minutes to carry out the rescues.
• Finally, the ‘Rapid Challenge’ lasted 10 minutes with teams attempting the rescue of a patient whose condition has deteriorated and who would die if not released rapidly.
  International assessors judged each team on different criteria including Command amp; Control, Medical Care and Physical Rescue.

The GMFRS team who were originally formed from firefighters working at Heywood Fire Station have been together for 9 years and have gained a number of awards at home and abroad in these challenges. The team won the Northwest Regional event earlier this year. When not competing, the team train not only themselves but also other operational fire fighters in the skills and techniques that they have gained. 

 Competition veteran team member, Station Commander Ian Holt said, “The challenges allow us to hone our rescue skills and techniques and exchange ideas with other teams. The ultimate gain is that the public of Greater Manchester will be getting the best possible chance of survival if they are unfortunate enough to be involved in a road accident. GMFRS now rescue more people from road collisions than from fires so we must be prepared.”