Posted: Friday 1 November 2024, 16:17
One of Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Services Trauma teams has qualified for the World Rescue Challenge (WRC), being held from 5 to 9 November on Terceira Island in Azores, Portugal.
Two firefighters, who have been competing together for seven years as part of the Derbyshire Extrication Team, will be making the journey to Portugal after qualification following a win at last year’s UK Rescue Organisation (UKRO) National Finals.
The WRC sees world class rescue and trauma teams compete annually in an event designed to challenge emergency service personnel by developing and enhancing their existing skills through ‘real life’ trauma and extrication scenarios.
Comprising Station Manager Louise Dempsey and Watch Manager Sharon James, the team will represent Derbyshire as they compete over four days of competition in different challenges to assess their post-incident trauma care skills.
Speaking ahead of the event, Station Manager Dempsey said: “This is the third time our team has competed on a world stage, and it once again presents a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the skills and expertise we have here in Derbyshire.
“Competitions such as the UK rescue challenge and globally through the world rescue challenge, help fire and rescue services to share best practice and improve the outcomes for trauma casualties in the future.
“We would like to say a huge thanks to Advance Paramedic Caroline Mason for her training. Without her support and assistance, the team would not have qualified for this upcoming competition.
“We are both extremely excited to compete and represent Derbyshire on a world stage.”
As well as sharing best practice and learning new techniques, the World Challenge will showcase some of the latest equipment available to firefighters, as well as developments in technology that may have an impact on the future of car production and in car safety systems.
Derbyshire’s Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Gavin Tomlinson KFSM said: “The Service is incredibly proud of the trauma team’s achievement and are looking forward to seeing how they get on competing against 36 other Fire and Rescue Service trauma teams from across the world.
“Being invited to compete is no mean feat and one for which they should feel justly proud. The team demonstrates exceptional professionalism and dedication, which has clearly paid off. They will be exposed to a great wealth of learning whilst in Portugal, sharing best practice and techniques with fire and rescue colleagues from across the globe.
“After each competition, the team reflects on their experiences and incorporates this knowledge into the training and development we provide for firefighters in Derbyshire.
“This learning is then shared with other fire and rescue services across the UK to ensure that all casualties have the best possible chance of survival and recovery
“I know the team have been busy practising their techniques and honing their skills, and on behalf of the Service I would like to wish them both the best of luck.”