Local firefighters medal in World Rescue Challenge

Two Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) teams headed to Targu Mures, Transylvania in Romania to compete in the annual World Rescue Challenge.

The challenge involved teams from across the globe including America, South Africa, New Zealand, France, Luxembourg, Portugal, Brazil, Ireland and the UK. The 33 extrication and 36 trauma teams were assessed by world leading doctors, paramedics and experts in the field of extrication tools.
 
HWFRS were the highest placed U.K team in the trauma challenge, and combined with the extrication team won the most awards of any one service.
 
The HWFRS trauma team placed second overall in the event behind Praia da Victoria Fire & Rescue Service (Portugal). The trauma challenge was made up of 2 scenarios: 1 standard involving 1 casualty and 1 complex scenario that involved 2 casualties, the scenarios involve a selection of trauma incidents where fire crews demonstrate how to quickly identify and treat casualty injuries.
 
The extrication team also placed second overall behind fellow British team: Bridgend Service (South Wales). The Road Traffic Collision (RTC) extrication challenge has teams competing to  demonstrate how to safely extricate trapped casualties in the various scenario’s; the RTC extrication challenge was made up of 1 rapid (10 minutes for 1 casualty), 1 standard (20 minutes for 1 casualty) and 1 complex scenario (30 minutes 2 casualties).
 
Watch Commander and trauma team member Jayne Collins said: “Both teams were extremely proud to represent HWFRS in Romania At these events the teams get to view how the Fire Services all over the world approach Trauma and Extrication and develop our knowledge and understanding around a patient-centred approach that can be filtered back into the Services training.”
Chief Fire Officer Nathan Travis said: “We are very proud of our extrication and trauma teams that have proven themselves as experts in their field repeatedly in national and international competitions. I would like to congratulate both teams that both finished second in their respective challenges in Romania for the World Rescue Challenge.”